This book is so not okay. The writing is bad and the plot is bad. Instead of including anything about school shootings and facts that a parent could educate their child with at the end of the book, there is only information about the illustrator. Yes the illustrations are very interesting but maybe a little too psychedelic and distracting. David Diaz has won a Caldecott so there is clearly some talent there but if Lorbeicki wants to be educating children about gun safety why write about a boy who shoots his best friend in school with no repercussions? I also think the writing being in verse makes the plot confusing. Lorbiecki really pushes some rhymes in places making it very awkward to read. We also hear about the main characters best friends brother gets out of jail after shooting his girl friend in a domestic violence dispute and he is the one who is supposed to be keeping these boys straight? On a subject that is so dangerous and relevant, Lorbiescki did not pull it off. ( )

I honestly LOVED this story so much, but it touched on a very sensitive subject-bringing guns to school. Just One Flick of a Finger centers around a boy named Jack who just wants to fit in. The school bully tries to convince him that having a gun makes him cool and tough, and picks on him for being small and skinny. Jack retaliates by taking his father's gun to school. He is very hardheaded and determined at this part of the story. The next day, Jack confronts the bully and pulls out the gun, not to shoot but just to show the bully in hope of scaring him away. Suddenly, Jack is tackled, and the gun goes off, shooting his best friend. Once they are both sent to the hospital, Jack finally realizes how bad that was, and gets even closer with his best friend because of it. Jack develops and finally understands how important friends and family are. ( )

Just One Flick of a Finger is about a boy named Jack who is tired of being bullied by another boy named Reebo. When Jack steals his fathers gun and brings it to school with him, he accidentally injures himself and his best friend. Through this situation, he learns that violence isn't the answer. Many schools today, especially inner city schools, have a huge issue with violence and weapons on campus and this would be a good book to read at any of those schools. The reading level is appropriate for children 3rd grade and up but I believe that older children (maybe middle school) would better connect with the contents of this book. ( )

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Critiques: This is a realistic fiction book because the plot is a realistic and plausible scenario with the pressures of bullying and the temptation to use violence as a reaction. The main character faces a challenge that many children and teens face today with the pressure and emotions of being bullied. Readers can relate to the characters emotions and decisions and feel connected to the story's events and characters.
This book was written in a modern style of poetry that uses many literary devices. One example is: "Before our breath could melt, Ms. Johnson yelled, 'What're you boys doing?'" This sentence has personification with breath that melts. This is an effective use of style because it paints a visual representation of breath being silenced. It adds to the mood and tone of the passage.

Media: mixed media, digital art ( )

Bette Ammon (VOYA, June 1997 (Vol. 20, No. 2))