The Reluctant Bully by Gary Rivera is an engaging middle-grade novel that intertwines themes of family, adolescence, and personal growth. Set across dual timelines—1982 and 2006—the story follows two interconnected narratives: Miguel, a boy navigating complex family dynamics and the moral quandaries of childhood in the early ’80s, and Madeline “Smoochie” Lynn, a middle schooler in 2006 dealing with friendship challenges, budding crushes, and her brother’s increasingly secretive behavior. Rivera skillfully balances humor and seriousness with well-developed characters. Madeline’s bond with her family, particularly her evolving relationship with her brother “B,” offers a realistic portrayal of sibling dynamics during adolescence. Similarly, Miguel’s storyline explores how hardship and parental pressure shape a child’s self-perception, lending emotional authenticity to the novel.

Gary Rivera seamlessly blends family life, school adventures, and the mystery element involving Madeline’s quest for lost lunch money and Miguel’s personal struggles. Rivera incorporates small yet meaningful details, such as baseball gloves, Ripstiks, and school yearbooks, that firmly root the narrative in its era, adding nostalgia without alienating younger readers. The author also tackles heavier topics, such as bullying, economic hardship, and fractured parental relationships, with sensitivity, ensuring they remain accessible to middle-grade audiences. The alternating timelines gradually reveal the connections between Miguel’s and Madeline’s experiences. The Reluctant Bully is about understanding others’ pain and learning empathy. It encourages readers to look beyond first impressions, showing that even those labeled as bullies often carry untold burdens. This novel is an uplifting choice for classrooms, family reading, or anyone seeking a story about compassion and kindness.

Gary Rivera’s The Reluctant Bully tells the story of Smoochie, her brother Matthew, their friends, their families, and Mr. Cavanaugh as they face challenges at middle school. Smoochie has a tense relationship with her brother, but then she discovers a surprising side to him. Matthew's, Jason's, and Jordan's stories are intertwined as they handle bullying, friendships, family, relationships, schoolwork, algebra, and sports. While Mr Cavanaugh's past has a positive impact on the present and in the outcome of a dire situation, Smoochie's family, in turn, is proactive in helping their children build strong self-esteem and empathy, understand social pressures, and stand up to bullying. Typical of Smoochie's character, she makes an effort to rescue troubled souls from bullies while juggling school and her hobbies.

The Reluctant Bully is a heartfelt story by Gary Rivera with a powerful motivation and lesson for adults and children alike who have, at one point or another, faced such challenges. The multiple storylines create a chain of events that create an engaging narrative. Throughout the story, all the characters are realistic in their day-to-day lives, emphasizing the importance of adult support and love, as well as the dangers associated with bullying, making the tale authentic and thought-provoking. Throughout the novel, the negative impact on young people is the focal point, encompassing themes of family, love, empathy, compassion, friendship, and character growth. This enlightening and stimulating read is suitable for young adults as well as parents, thanks to the intriguing plot build-up and vibrant character development.

Madeline, a sixth grader at Osceola Middle School, Central Florida, is troubled when her brother Matthew, a high schooler, changes and becomes distant. A black eye on a few occasions suggests that Matthew might be having a hard time in school. Madeline’s several attempts to get him to open up prove futile. After a chance encounter with Jordan, Matthew’s schoolmate, Madeline is convinced he is her brother’s bully. However, a little snooping with the help of a friend reveals a disturbing truth about him. Jordan was in much bigger trouble at home than anyone could have ever imagined. As Madeline and her friend share with Matthew about Jordan’s predicament, they realize they have to help Jordan. What is going on in Jordan’s life? What will Madeline, her brother, and her friend do? Find out in Gary Rivera’s The Reluctant Bully: A Smoochie Family Story.

Fans of young adult coming-of-age realistic fiction blended with adventure and drama will find Gary Rivera’s The Reluctant Bully an enthralling read. Unfolding the plot through a double timeline and multi-perspective storyline, Rivera merges two stories: one set in the 1980s and the other in the early 2000s. The suspense accompanying the narration had me turning page after page, guessing what would happen next. Rivera pays enormous attention to detail. The conversations were purposeful and character-driven. They gave insight into the characters' conflicts. The depictions of the characters’ emotions and the juxtaposition of their complex traits made it easy to connect with them. This story not only brings into focus the struggles young adults face at home and school, but it also teaches them how to cope with issues. There are also valuable lessons on mathematics, specifically algebra.

The Reluctant Bully by Gary Rivera is a teen drama that follows eleven-year-old Lynn, who goes by the nickname Smoochie, and her older brother, Matthew, known as B. The two siblings have a strong bond and support each other unconditionally. However, one day, while visiting a store, Smoochie leaves her brother behind and goes to the parking lot alone. There, she is confronted by two boys who bully her, making her feel scared. Fortunately, one of the store employees, Jordan, comes to her rescue and chases the boys away. When B joins them, it becomes clear that he dislikes Jordan. Determined to understand the reason behind their mysterious feud, Smoochie sets out to forge a friendship between her brother and Jordan, who seems like a genuinely nice guy. Experience the struggles of adolescence, family secrets, and the power of friendship in this captivating story.

The Reluctant Bully is part of the Smoochie Family Story series by Gary Rivera. It explores various aspects of teenage life and highlights the pain individuals can inflict on one another with their words and actions, as well as the struggles many children face at home. The narrative also focuses on themes of redemption and reconciliation, conveying that it’s never too late to become friends with someone who was once considered an enemy. The evolving relationship between B and Jordan—from enemies to study buddies to friends—is beautifully paced and gratifying to witness. Smoochie's fiery and protective nature shines through and adds to the charm of the story. The story is engaging and emphasizes the importance of extracurricular activities, such as sports and the arts, in supporting children's emotional and social development. Additionally, it features subplots involving romances, family drama, Smoochie’s mother's Krav Maga and Taekwondo classes, and unresolved mysteries waiting to be uncovered. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend sharing it with children to teach them the importance of being supportive friends and believing in themselves and their abilities.