Dexter the Tough by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Grades 3-5)
While his father receives cancer treatments in Seattle, Dexter must live with his grandmother in Kentucky. In class, his teacher tells her students that she wants them to write a story that lets her know more about who they are. Dexter writes, "I'm the new kid. I am tuf. This morning I beat up a kid.” His teacher encourages him to flesh out his story, asking Dexter questions that help him acknowledge his feelings. Robin, the boy Dexter hit, is also new to the school. Imagine you are the new kid in school and you have to introduce yourself to your classmates. Look for a cartoon in the St. Petersburg Times that represents you. Tell all your new friends on this blog what cartoon it is and why you have chosen it.
Book chat: Did you enjoy reading this book? Can you relate to the characters? Share your thoughts about this book with other students by clicking on the link.
This is the most popular book in my class right now! I hope you all enjoy reading it!
Posted by: Miss Willey | October 16, 2008 at 12:34 PM
i like this book it was very good write more books. i told my mom about it she said she won't to read it!!
Posted by: Ellyshia | October 16, 2008 at 02:16 PM
I like this book because it reminds me when my sister and I always fight with each other and I did have a hard time when my mother moved away.From home with me. Also I like this book because the way the author put how Dexter and Robin were feeling and how she talked about them getting along.That's why I love this book. Pr
Posted by: E.A Mrs.Capabiano/kingshighway | November 04, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Thank you for writing Dexter The Tough. There was a lot of feelings and dialogue. There was also action and cooperatioPr
Posted by: J.A.C./capabianco/Kings highway | November 04, 2008 at 10:07 AM
i thoght dext3r had a big h3art i hope that book will go down in history rock on d3xt3r :~/
Posted by: r.y. Mr.turner's 5th grade class sanderlin elem | November 07, 2008 at 01:45 PM
I liked dexter the tough because there is elabaration. A lot of details and dialog and if a book has those three things then it's my kinda book,
Posted by: AD/capabianco/kings hwy | November 10, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Dexter is a troubled boy with a big heart. His father has cancer, and he must deal with being the new kid at school. He thinks that acting tough and pretending to beat up a kid will make him look cool. He realizes that it doesn't matter how you act, just be yourself.
The book was amazing!
Posted by: Jessica B. Symmes Elementary/4th grade | November 19, 2008 at 07:45 PM
right now im reading dexter the tough and so far so good. i think that this book can relate with others in my class. i also think that my sister can relate to robin because she has a hard time making friends and people always make fun of her name. i like the name robin though. i think that it is a cool name. i can't wait to finnish thwe book
Posted by: treshel | December 12, 2008 at 02:11 PM
I just started to read the book but im guessing the book will be great by the comments i read half way but i wanted to start over because i havent read it in a while got to go bye bye and read the book bye bye.
Posted by: treshel johnson | January 12, 2009 at 05:36 PM
I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Posted by: r.y. Mr.turner's 5th grade class sanderlin elem | January 12, 2009 at 05:36 PM
ok so i just got on chapter six but so far the book is so cool i think it should win a best book of the 08-09 award
Posted by: treshel johnson | January 13, 2009 at 02:16 PM
ok,I love this book sooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!I hope everyone in the whole world reads it.
THANKYOU(CHRISTA)
Posted by: cb,4th grade,southern oak elem | January 22, 2009 at 06:56 PM
I hate this book. It stinks. I wish they didn't even made it.
Posted by: Passion Wells | February 08, 2009 at 01:15 PM
I love the book dexster the tough becuse he is not relly tough he jest dose not like his new school so he bullys and stongle dis like the pepole that he gose to school with and pepole that works at his new school we are onley on chapter 6 so it should be getting betteer soon my favrout part is that he has not even met the jananter and dose not like him but onley becuse he made him fall on the slipperrey floor OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: dh miss fitch 4th grade class fair mount park | February 11, 2009 at 11:04 AM
i love the book dexter the tough i think if you were in 4th grade and you wrote that story in 2 days for home work ms.fitch would give you an A+ on that and you would definetly be a wrighting star and would you be happy but anyways lets get back to your book i love it becuse event thow were only on chapter 6 and its just wonderful so far and the book is my faviorate book
Posted by: bm msfitch 4thgradeclass fair mount park | February 11, 2009 at 11:08 AM
I do like this book because it is stupid
Posted by: W.T. James B. Sanderlin Elementary Mr.Turners 5th grade class | February 12, 2009 at 01:46 PM
i love dexter the tough at the first of the book i think he was shy and he just thout that it was the first day for him and on the pice of paper he wrote i'm dexter and i am tough.
Posted by: alex | February 13, 2009 at 10:24 AM
i loved the book
Posted by: Natalie | February 13, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Dexter the Tough is not my favorite battle book.But it is realy,realistic!I think Dexter starts to learns how to be more resitible.
Posted by: HMS | March 19, 2009 at 09:12 PM
it was an ok book not eggsactly the best of all 18of the books.i dont really feel bad for dexter when he fell because i know people can take that.but i do feel bad for robin getting punched in the face.
Posted by: triple t | March 26, 2009 at 01:26 PM
this book teaches us how we are supposet to treat others at school and at home.dextor showed his emotions on some other kid who did not do any thing. it teachs me i should be nice to people and not puch them in the face!
Posted by: ag | May 07, 2009 at 06:41 PM
i love this book it is my favorite book i read it every day i do not care if i finish it
Posted by: Margaret Peterson Haddix | September 28, 2009 at 05:36 PM