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Locker 572
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. -Edmund Burke
Welcome to North Harbor High...
Where a girl can get bullied to death.
Sheridan Alexander moves to San Diego and her fifth foster home since kindergarten. Her two goals are to graduate and exit the system without any more trouble. That is, until she's assigned locker 572 and finds the abandoned journal of Ribbon Barber.
The journal pages reveal the endless insults and abuse flung at an innocent girl. "Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you." Yeah, right. Words of hate scar forever. Sheridan needs to find Ribbon and protect her before it's too late, even if it means giving up her most stable home in years. Ribbon has a right to be left alone. But can anyone ever be safe in the hardened halls of high school?
Welcome to North Harbor High...
Where a girl can get bullied to death.
Sheridan Alexander moves to San Diego and her fifth foster home since kindergarten. Her two goals are to graduate and exit the system without any more trouble. That is, until she's assigned locker 572 and finds the abandoned journal of Ribbon Barber.
The journal pages reveal the endless insults and abuse flung at an innocent girl. "Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you." Yeah, right. Words of hate scar forever. Sheridan needs to find Ribbon and protect her before it's too late, even if it means giving up her most stable home in years. Ribbon has a right to be left alone. But can anyone ever be safe in the hardened halls of high school?
196 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
13 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 23, 2016
This book really surprised me! I’ll admit to not expecting much from it. It was one I found at the library and I did not read any reviews before I started it.
I could not put this book down once I started! I was up late at night and picked it up first thing to next morning to finish it. I really liked Sheridan. She was a very strong character and wanted to make a difference with her life. Ashley also added an interesting perspective to the story. I would definitely recommend it!
I could not put this book down once I started! I was up late at night and picked it up first thing to next morning to finish it. I really liked Sheridan. She was a very strong character and wanted to make a difference with her life. Ashley also added an interesting perspective to the story. I would definitely recommend it!
June 1, 2020
When Sheridan starts school at North Harbor High, she isn’t sure what to think. Being a kid of the system, she’s used to moving from place to place. The only thing that hasn’t changed is bullying. When she’s assigned 572, Sheridan becomes privy to the story of Ribbon Barbor. A girl who was literally bullied to death. Desperate to get out Ribbon’s story, Sheridan goes on a crusade to expose all the girls responsible for her demise.
A heavy story. Realistic in the cruelty that teenagers can inflict on one another. I really liked Sheridan. She was a unique voice, the type of girl that every high school needs to combat the bullies. She wasn’t afraid to do what she needed to do to tell Ribbon’s story. Even if it meant sacrificing the best foster home she’d ever have. She was witty and kind. An easy to like MC.
Another perspective that the story tell is from a girl named Ashley. She’s inside the circle of bullies and used to be Ribbon’s friend. While she’s not a likeable character, or at least she wasn’t to me, I found that she was also a realistic character. So many times teenagers turn away from bullying just to avoid being bullied themselves.
All in all, this book was like a snapshot of the horrors of high school. I loved the message though, the crusade against bullying and the fact that everyone is unique. No one deserves to feel badly for it.
Narration really brought the story to life.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
A heavy story. Realistic in the cruelty that teenagers can inflict on one another. I really liked Sheridan. She was a unique voice, the type of girl that every high school needs to combat the bullies. She wasn’t afraid to do what she needed to do to tell Ribbon’s story. Even if it meant sacrificing the best foster home she’d ever have. She was witty and kind. An easy to like MC.
Another perspective that the story tell is from a girl named Ashley. She’s inside the circle of bullies and used to be Ribbon’s friend. While she’s not a likeable character, or at least she wasn’t to me, I found that she was also a realistic character. So many times teenagers turn away from bullying just to avoid being bullied themselves.
All in all, this book was like a snapshot of the horrors of high school. I loved the message though, the crusade against bullying and the fact that everyone is unique. No one deserves to feel badly for it.
Narration really brought the story to life.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
August 22, 2022
i would’ve EATEN this up in middle school.
December 1, 2019
I was kind of disappointed. I had higher hopes. There were many holes and the ending felt abrupt and too open-ended for a book that's supposed to be a solo novel.
September 6, 2019
My first time attempting to review a book lol
I liked it, although some things tended to jump around a lot. The ending felt abrupt and I had a lot of questions... Characters... Sheridan was definitely my favorite. I liked her personality and her drive, and her sense of justice... You ever feel like you want to hang out with a character? I'd love to hang out with her. I loved her relationship with Tex (yay representation) although his accent was a bit hard to take seriously. Was that necessary?
Ribbon was sweet too, her journal entries made me sympathetic and I remember feeling dejected once I learned her fate... I really wanted Sheridan and Ribbon to meet and was hoping for that lol I was totally down for the two taking down Courtney.
Ashley... I didn't exactly like her. It was obvious that she wasn't meant to be a character you were supposed to look up to... yet I wasn't really feeling her story. The chapters alternated between Ribbon's journal entries, and Sheridan and Ashley's POVs. While I enjoyed Sheridan and Ribbon's chapters, I found myself sighing internally every time it was time to hear from Ashley...
Still, this was a story that needed to be told, and I enjoyed reading it, even if it got unrealistic at parts (Courtney's dad...). My favorite part was the scene in the library with the chat room. Would definitely read again.
I liked it, although some things tended to jump around a lot. The ending felt abrupt and I had a lot of questions... Characters... Sheridan was definitely my favorite. I liked her personality and her drive, and her sense of justice... You ever feel like you want to hang out with a character? I'd love to hang out with her. I loved her relationship with Tex (yay representation) although his accent was a bit hard to take seriously. Was that necessary?
Ribbon was sweet too, her journal entries made me sympathetic and I remember feeling dejected once I learned her fate... I really wanted Sheridan and Ribbon to meet and was hoping for that lol I was totally down for the two taking down Courtney.
Ashley... I didn't exactly like her. It was obvious that she wasn't meant to be a character you were supposed to look up to... yet I wasn't really feeling her story. The chapters alternated between Ribbon's journal entries, and Sheridan and Ashley's POVs. While I enjoyed Sheridan and Ribbon's chapters, I found myself sighing internally every time it was time to hear from Ashley...
Still, this was a story that needed to be told, and I enjoyed reading it, even if it got unrealistic at parts (Courtney's dad...). My favorite part was the scene in the library with the chat room. Would definitely read again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2017
This book was so great...Recommend to everyone young and old and to all who are bullies, name callers, haters and all around mean you most definitely need to read this and hopefully learn something and then turn your life around..My Momma always said if you can't say something nice keep your mouth shut!!! I agree I do know I was always the one who stood up for the weak and although we as kids said mean things we always made up and were friends again..Now you have internet, Facebook,Twitter and other means to slam your hate but whoever is out there being bullied know I care and love you.. you are worth everything to God and to others..Great book and Thank You LT KoDZo for bringing this book and subject to life..Gina Clabo
June 26, 2025
This was terrible. The story, the characters; I wasn’t rooting for any of them. It’s also a really sad story, so that didn’t help.
April 10, 2020
I choose to read Locker 572 By L.T Kodzo. I saw someone recommend this book on instagram and say it was very moving so I decided to read it. This book was about a girl Sherriden who moved to a new school and was given locker 572 which fomerly belonged to a girl named Ribbon who commited suicide after being bullied,but her parents kept it a secret. After receiving the locker Sheridan found a journal that belonged to Ribbon, so she began to read it and uncover the hidden life of Ribbon that not even she told her parents about. Sherriden began to search for Ribbon not knowing she was dead. She later found Ribbon's mom who broke the news to her and it was very devastating because if Sheriden had come to the school before Ribbon took her life maybe Sherriden could've been the one to save her.
Locker 572 was an inspirational book that deserves 5 stars and to be read in schools across the nation because it is very eye opening and shows how bullying causes harm to many people's lives. Throughout the book as Sherriden goes more into depth of Ribbons journal we see how much hurt she endured from the name calling and losing one of her best friends who later bullied her just to fit in. This was very disturbing because as you read you may notice how you've called some people these names too or made fun of them and not found it harmful when really it hurts the person and you wouldn't even know. For example,"Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you"(L.T Kodzo) was a quote that was repeated throughout the book many times to mock the famous slogan, oftentimes in society this is used to justify the harsh words people speak to each other with. They tell people they need to be “strong” and that words can’t hurt when that's far from the truth because vulgar words can stick to your mind and replay over and over again making you question every part about you. If someone is constantly in your ear telling you that you aren't worth being alive that causes great insecurities to you, leading to these suicidal thoughts like Ribbon faced. Additionally, another eye opening moment was when Sherriden shut down the quote above by saying,”Yeah, right. Words of hate scar forever”. This was a way of ending off the book by showing people that words do hurt and we need to be mindful of what we say and who we say it to because we never know what a person is going through or how what we say might be adding fuel to the fire for their insecurities.
In closing I highly recommend this book especially to young teens because I feel like we sometimes take bullying as a joke and don't realize how impactful our words and actions can be. I also feel like when I read this book I was more aware of some bad things that I do and I felt remorseful so moving on I won't joke about people who I don't have those relationships with. And lastly this book is a must read because It is all in all a real eye opener kids need to read about the reality of bullying so we can combat the suicide rates of bullying.
Locker 572 was an inspirational book that deserves 5 stars and to be read in schools across the nation because it is very eye opening and shows how bullying causes harm to many people's lives. Throughout the book as Sherriden goes more into depth of Ribbons journal we see how much hurt she endured from the name calling and losing one of her best friends who later bullied her just to fit in. This was very disturbing because as you read you may notice how you've called some people these names too or made fun of them and not found it harmful when really it hurts the person and you wouldn't even know. For example,"Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you"(L.T Kodzo) was a quote that was repeated throughout the book many times to mock the famous slogan, oftentimes in society this is used to justify the harsh words people speak to each other with. They tell people they need to be “strong” and that words can’t hurt when that's far from the truth because vulgar words can stick to your mind and replay over and over again making you question every part about you. If someone is constantly in your ear telling you that you aren't worth being alive that causes great insecurities to you, leading to these suicidal thoughts like Ribbon faced. Additionally, another eye opening moment was when Sherriden shut down the quote above by saying,”Yeah, right. Words of hate scar forever”. This was a way of ending off the book by showing people that words do hurt and we need to be mindful of what we say and who we say it to because we never know what a person is going through or how what we say might be adding fuel to the fire for their insecurities.
In closing I highly recommend this book especially to young teens because I feel like we sometimes take bullying as a joke and don't realize how impactful our words and actions can be. I also feel like when I read this book I was more aware of some bad things that I do and I felt remorseful so moving on I won't joke about people who I don't have those relationships with. And lastly this book is a must read because It is all in all a real eye opener kids need to read about the reality of bullying so we can combat the suicide rates of bullying.
November 19, 2012
This was an interesting look at bullying, told from three perspectives, the diary of a bullied girl Ribbon, who killed herself, the new girl Sheridan who finds the diary in her locker, and one of the bullies Ashley who used to be best friends with Ribbon until she chose to be a mean girl instead of a real friend.
I think this was a powerful book that should be in every school library. Some of the quotes from this book really touched me…
“What’s so funny about being mean? I don’t know what I did wrong. Ashley and I used to do everything together. Now she pretends like she doesn’t even know me.”
“Words Crowd the air in my room like a flock of bats. They pick at my soul, leaving gaping wounds. Some of the words stick to the cuts like leeches sucking and gathering life from me. Others burrow in like wood ticks and scab the surface.”
----From Ribbons Diary
“They started with the twisted, immature thoughts of selfish, judgmental idiots who defined what was permissible in their warped, backward world. Was Ribbon’s family crazy? Maybe, but so what. That didn’t give these jerks a right to condemn her. To attack and destroy her.”
----Sheridan
“That’s what killed Ribbon-the inexhaustible, piercing sorrow of words flung at her like stones at a leper. Ashley breathed and allowed her thoughts to settle. She’d done it, picked up rocks of hate and flung them at an innocent girl.”
----Ashley
As you can see from these quotes this book gives you the varied perspectives from the different people involved. The adults in this book didn’t come off looking very good but it is also a true look sometimes teachers and other adults don’t see the bullying or if they do because the child doesn’t say anything they don’t do anything.
I liked how Sheridan made a stand against bullying even if it wasn’t very true to life but I think the seeds of how to make a stand were true it only takes one person to stand up with courage to show others that it is ok to take a stand to pick up the fight against bullies and don’t allow them to continue their reign of terror.
As I said, this is a very important book and this story will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
4 stars
I think this was a powerful book that should be in every school library. Some of the quotes from this book really touched me…
“What’s so funny about being mean? I don’t know what I did wrong. Ashley and I used to do everything together. Now she pretends like she doesn’t even know me.”
“Words Crowd the air in my room like a flock of bats. They pick at my soul, leaving gaping wounds. Some of the words stick to the cuts like leeches sucking and gathering life from me. Others burrow in like wood ticks and scab the surface.”
----From Ribbons Diary
“They started with the twisted, immature thoughts of selfish, judgmental idiots who defined what was permissible in their warped, backward world. Was Ribbon’s family crazy? Maybe, but so what. That didn’t give these jerks a right to condemn her. To attack and destroy her.”
----Sheridan
“That’s what killed Ribbon-the inexhaustible, piercing sorrow of words flung at her like stones at a leper. Ashley breathed and allowed her thoughts to settle. She’d done it, picked up rocks of hate and flung them at an innocent girl.”
----Ashley
As you can see from these quotes this book gives you the varied perspectives from the different people involved. The adults in this book didn’t come off looking very good but it is also a true look sometimes teachers and other adults don’t see the bullying or if they do because the child doesn’t say anything they don’t do anything.
I liked how Sheridan made a stand against bullying even if it wasn’t very true to life but I think the seeds of how to make a stand were true it only takes one person to stand up with courage to show others that it is ok to take a stand to pick up the fight against bullies and don’t allow them to continue their reign of terror.
As I said, this is a very important book and this story will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
4 stars
July 8, 2012
Originally posted on Pawing Through Books on 2/28/12
Locker 572 by L.T. Kodzo was a great read that I wasn't expecting so much from. I was pleasantly surprised! It is told in three different perspectives. You see the story through the eyes of Sheriden trying to help Ribbon and take action against bullying, through the eyes of Ribbon through her journal entries, and through the eyes of Ribbon's best friend from elementary school, Ashley, who was one of Ribbon's bullies during high school.
Caution may contain spoilers!
Locker 572 is a new spin on the average bullying book. The students are the focus and most of the adults turn their heads and have a 'blind-eye' toward the situation. Through Ribbon's journal you are able to see how it is to be bullied day in and day out. Ribbon begins to believe the things the bullies are saying to her and starts to feel worthless. Sheridan has an amazing character. She doesn't even know Ribbon, but because of the journal she feels the need to stand up to these bullies and try to save the girl. After she finds out Ribbon has killed herself she continues to find ways to help the fight against bullying. Though Ashley is one of the bullies, once she finds out what has happened to her childhood friend she is filled with guilt and takes action against the group of students that were also involved in the bullying.
I loved that the students were the ones that L.T. Kodzo focused on. The book seemed like it could of been something that could actually take place in a school. Sadly, often times the adults in the school will turn their heads and not take the action that is needed to help stop bullies. Locker 572 would be a good addition to schools for anti-bullying week. It truly shows how it is to be bullied and gives ideas on how students can take a stand against bullying in a positive way.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for a unique read that carries a strong message. Locker 572 by L.T. Kodzo is an easy read that keeps you engaged throughout the book. It is a story that will keep you thinking and stay with you for awhile.
Locker 572 by L.T. Kodzo was a great read that I wasn't expecting so much from. I was pleasantly surprised! It is told in three different perspectives. You see the story through the eyes of Sheriden trying to help Ribbon and take action against bullying, through the eyes of Ribbon through her journal entries, and through the eyes of Ribbon's best friend from elementary school, Ashley, who was one of Ribbon's bullies during high school.
Caution may contain spoilers!
Locker 572 is a new spin on the average bullying book. The students are the focus and most of the adults turn their heads and have a 'blind-eye' toward the situation. Through Ribbon's journal you are able to see how it is to be bullied day in and day out. Ribbon begins to believe the things the bullies are saying to her and starts to feel worthless. Sheridan has an amazing character. She doesn't even know Ribbon, but because of the journal she feels the need to stand up to these bullies and try to save the girl. After she finds out Ribbon has killed herself she continues to find ways to help the fight against bullying. Though Ashley is one of the bullies, once she finds out what has happened to her childhood friend she is filled with guilt and takes action against the group of students that were also involved in the bullying.
I loved that the students were the ones that L.T. Kodzo focused on. The book seemed like it could of been something that could actually take place in a school. Sadly, often times the adults in the school will turn their heads and not take the action that is needed to help stop bullies. Locker 572 would be a good addition to schools for anti-bullying week. It truly shows how it is to be bullied and gives ideas on how students can take a stand against bullying in a positive way.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for a unique read that carries a strong message. Locker 572 by L.T. Kodzo is an easy read that keeps you engaged throughout the book. It is a story that will keep you thinking and stay with you for awhile.
February 2, 2013
EDIT: I moved my rating up one star, considering the fact that, although I didn't think it was great, it was a welcome reprive from other things I was reading, and was enjoyable.
I was disappointed in this book. I found out Locker 572 from an ad in a Christian magazine, and almost bought it off a Christian book website. ( I ended up getting it from Amazon - cheaper.) :) I was expecting it to have a more Christian theme, and aproach to bullying. Instead, I found the same old, same old things counselors have said for years. That said, the storyline was pretty good. Sharidan finds the journal of a missing girl who had been bullied, and starts to bring awareness to bullying, and tries to stop it. The characters are somewhat weak, and the relationships between them are even weaker. Several are left unresolved at the end of the book.
Although bullying is a problem, I don't believe this book gave any valuable solutions. At the end, I was left wondering if anything Sheridan did really worked.
I was disappointed in this book. I found out Locker 572 from an ad in a Christian magazine, and almost bought it off a Christian book website. ( I ended up getting it from Amazon - cheaper.) :) I was expecting it to have a more Christian theme, and aproach to bullying. Instead, I found the same old, same old things counselors have said for years. That said, the storyline was pretty good. Sharidan finds the journal of a missing girl who had been bullied, and starts to bring awareness to bullying, and tries to stop it. The characters are somewhat weak, and the relationships between them are even weaker. Several are left unresolved at the end of the book.
Although bullying is a problem, I don't believe this book gave any valuable solutions. At the end, I was left wondering if anything Sheridan did really worked.
August 13, 2016
Given the focus on eliminating the issue of bullying in our schools and neighborhoods, this book is timely, relevant and an accurate description of what children struggle with today. The characters are so well developed, the story leaves me wanting more than the last page and the reality of each chapter left me inspired to help make a difference. For anyone whose experienced bullying at the hands of a mean-spirited person, or for those who have been spared, it will be a book you can't forget. The story is woven together in such perfection that you aren't ever confused about what character is doing what and who each one is, as you find in other books. This is a must read for everyone, not just teens, teachers or social workers - as a society it affects us all.
January 6, 2016
Interesting take on the subject of bullying and suicide. Although the reader knows what happened to Ribbon right away (book summary anyone?) the characters do not. And it's what happens afterwards that shows their true character and emotion. One tries to help while the other ignores her responsibility at first and then wallows in guilt over it.
The latter was interesting to read about but she isn't isn't the best example and goes from one extreme to the other. While the statistics about suicide in the back of the book help underline the seriousness of bullying and suicide I felt that if you're going to do it at all then there should be more resources listed instead of just the one hotline number.
Not bad. Certainly a book worth taking a look at if you come across it.
The latter was interesting to read about but she isn't isn't the best example and goes from one extreme to the other. While the statistics about suicide in the back of the book help underline the seriousness of bullying and suicide I felt that if you're going to do it at all then there should be more resources listed instead of just the one hotline number.
Not bad. Certainly a book worth taking a look at if you come across it.
February 8, 2016
This book sat in my to read pile for awhile. Someone recommended it to me, awhile back so I bought it on sale one day and never really picked it up, except to move it from one shelf to another.
Wish I would have picked it up earlier. It will now be a book that I never part with.
Bullying, something I never personally dealt with, but something I know happens on a regular basis. The story hit on just the surface of the issue telling just enough of the story for your heart to break, for you to want to see how 2 girls (one who has been bullied and one who was the bully) tried to pu ta stop to it and a family's struggle after their daughter committed suicide.
A good quick read that will leave you cheering on those who stand up against bullying
Wish I would have picked it up earlier. It will now be a book that I never part with.
Bullying, something I never personally dealt with, but something I know happens on a regular basis. The story hit on just the surface of the issue telling just enough of the story for your heart to break, for you to want to see how 2 girls (one who has been bullied and one who was the bully) tried to pu ta stop to it and a family's struggle after their daughter committed suicide.
A good quick read that will leave you cheering on those who stand up against bullying
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2014
I found this book totally by accident. It was in the adult section of the library. I am so glad I picked it up. The story is one that anybody that deals with teens should know about. The story it tells seems to be happening too much in schools today. I will have to let librarian know that maybe this would be a great book to feature in the teen lit section also. Well written and thought out. The story is relevant on many levels. As adults we sometimes miss the pain of teens and want to make things better by just ignoring the causes of the pain. To anybody that works with teens this could be a must read.
Read
March 21, 2012This was one of my favorite book i really don't think that Ribbon should have died. And when ever she died should have of died of natural causes. I also like how they made the ribbons not only for the girls but for the boys too. The girls most likely would have put them in their hair. And for the boys they would have out them on their back packs i thought that, that was a great idea. And for the record i feel that they ended the book wrong but never the lest it was still an excellent book. i encourage all the people who like to read to read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2012
This book was suggested to me because I am a foster parent and while it didn't exactly focus on that aspect of the story as much as I thought it would it still was a good book. It tells the story of a victim of bullying from her perspective through her journal, from the perspective of a child in foster care who is new to the school and discovers the journal in the victim's former locker, and from the viewpoint of one of the bullies. An interesting story that students and adults should take the time to read.
April 30, 2013
This book had a good message and I think would be a valuable read for any teenager, parent, and teacher. It's so much easier to just look away and ignore this behavior which only contributes to the problem. I wish we had more kids like Sheridan!
May 23, 2013
So somehow I forgot to review this book when I read it, lol. I don't know how, because it was amazing! Moving and well-written, L.T. Kodzo told a brilliant and original story that I definitely recommend!
July 26, 2015
The first chapter almost made me not want to read this book. It was so over the top, something from a bad lifetime movie. However I kept going and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed everyone's perspective behind the issue of bullying and not doing anything to stop bullying.
June 5, 2016
Who is to blame when a bullied girl commits suicide is a common theme in the ya lit I've been reading lately. I liked that this book included social action to deal with this problem as part of the plot. However, I just didn't care for the style of writing.
June 10, 2020
Trigger warning - suicide, self harm
Actual rating 2.75
This was not a bad book and it has an important message and I related quite a bit but something about it just didn't click with me. I would still recommend it for readers still in high school though.
Actual rating 2.75
This was not a bad book and it has an important message and I related quite a bit but something about it just didn't click with me. I would still recommend it for readers still in high school though.
September 1, 2012
I think this book should be in the Middle Schools and High Schools!
June 25, 2013
Another must read for all high school students.
November 12, 2014
Great story! Love the fact that one troubled teen takes charge to help another whom she doesn't even know. The middle needed a little more work but all in all. Wonderful story
June 24, 2015
A very important book for all students to read! A great read about how bullying affects all kinds of people.
January 19, 2016
This book looked at the impact of bullying and suicide from more than one perspective. Believable characters that were easy to identify with. Great quick read.
March 14, 2016
Every parent should read this book WITH their child. A very strong message that as sad as it is needs to be discussed nation and world wide.
September 21, 2016
Very interesting but sad,
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