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Return to the Snake Pit: Saving Hargrove
It's been ten years since Charlene lost her best friend Cinda to Jr. High school bullying. Now she returns to Hargrove, not as a student, but a teacher, and finds herself among a whole new breed of bullies. A horrifying turn of events puts more than one life at stake when Charlie returns to The Snake Pit.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 22, 2013
Imagine you're a police officer investigating the tragic death of a young girl. Before you are a collection of statements: Statements from the girl's friends and family, statements from witnesses and suspects, statements from people who stood by and did nothing to prevent her death, and a heartbreaking statement from the girl herself, saying goodbye when she had been bullied, literally, to death. That's The Snake Pit, by Donna Dillon.
In Return to the Snake Pit: Saving Hargrove, one of those most profoundly affected by that young girl's death returns to the junior high where it all happened and finds that nothing has changed in the ensuing years. There are still cliques and power struggles, bullies and the abused. Even teachers are not immune to the effects of those who believe, by virtue of money, looks, or power, that they are superior and above the rules. How does a first year teacher, who still carries the heartbreak of losing her best friend to suicide, cope with the activities she sees all around her, activities that teachers, parents, principals and law enforcement willfully do not see? Read Return To the Snake Pit and repeat after me: Not in My Class, Not In My School, Not In My Sight.
In Return to the Snake Pit: Saving Hargrove, one of those most profoundly affected by that young girl's death returns to the junior high where it all happened and finds that nothing has changed in the ensuing years. There are still cliques and power struggles, bullies and the abused. Even teachers are not immune to the effects of those who believe, by virtue of money, looks, or power, that they are superior and above the rules. How does a first year teacher, who still carries the heartbreak of losing her best friend to suicide, cope with the activities she sees all around her, activities that teachers, parents, principals and law enforcement willfully do not see? Read Return To the Snake Pit and repeat after me: Not in My Class, Not In My School, Not In My Sight.
June 1, 2013
First of all, if you haven't read the first book, "The Snake Pit", I highly recommend you start by reading that one and then immediately follow with this one. A powerful story about a problem that is all too prevalent in our schools - bullying. As this author demonstrates, bullying is as serious problem that can have devastating, even deadly consequences.
This is a riveting read that captured my attention right from the first page and tore my heart out. I read the book straight through without stopping; I simply couldn't put it down and I was in tears the entire time I was reading. The subject matter hits very close to home for me. It brought back a lot of painful memories of my own youth, when I was a targeted by bullies.
I recommend these two books as must-reads for all teens and pre-teens and also for anyone who is a parent or who works in the educational system. Tragic stories like this happen far too often in real life and only by taking a proactive approach can we prevent these real-life tragedies.
I give it five stars because that's the highest allowed but I would give it ten stars if I could!
This is a riveting read that captured my attention right from the first page and tore my heart out. I read the book straight through without stopping; I simply couldn't put it down and I was in tears the entire time I was reading. The subject matter hits very close to home for me. It brought back a lot of painful memories of my own youth, when I was a targeted by bullies.
I recommend these two books as must-reads for all teens and pre-teens and also for anyone who is a parent or who works in the educational system. Tragic stories like this happen far too often in real life and only by taking a proactive approach can we prevent these real-life tragedies.
I give it five stars because that's the highest allowed but I would give it ten stars if I could!
August 27, 2013
Bullying in our schools is a very serious matter that many people would prefer to ignore. Unfortunately, the kids are the ones who suffer the consequences when teachers, administrators and parents fail to see what is in front of their faces.
As a student, Charlie learned first hand what bullying can do when her friend committed suicide due to excessive bullying. She returns to Hargrove Junior High years later, but this time as a teacher, determined to stop any and all bullies. Not an easy task, especially when the victim refuses to cooperative.
This is a must read for students, parents and teachers. The first step in combating the bullying problem is to acknowledge it is there. “Snake Pit” will open your eyes and get you to see what is right in front of your face.
As a student, Charlie learned first hand what bullying can do when her friend committed suicide due to excessive bullying. She returns to Hargrove Junior High years later, but this time as a teacher, determined to stop any and all bullies. Not an easy task, especially when the victim refuses to cooperative.
This is a must read for students, parents and teachers. The first step in combating the bullying problem is to acknowledge it is there. “Snake Pit” will open your eyes and get you to see what is right in front of your face.
June 24, 2013
Excellent follow-up to book one. The whole time I was on high alert and taking notes. The author is clearly passionate about the subject she's writing about. You can feel the raw emotions effortless coming out of the book. The characters are believable and the storyline IMPORTANT. Bullying is an awful thing to happen to and child or adult. Let's keep our children safe and for heaven's sake let's teach our children that bullying is NOT acceptable.
August 12, 2013
Return to the Snake Pit: Saving Hargrove
This is a follow up book to “The Snake Pit: High School can be Torture”. I purchased “Return to the Snake Pit” because it was an extension of the first book. I downloaded it to my phones Kindle app immediately upon completion of the first book.
They say children “grow out of” many things. Or “time heals all wounds”…. Well not all wounds heal and time is not always the answer. In the original Snake Pit book, Charlene had befriended a little girl with a facial deformity caused by being born with cleft-pallet, Cinda. Cinda was bullied/teased relentlessly throughout the book and by the end she had taken her own life. (If you have not read it, READ it. I told you what happens to Cinda, but there is so much more you need to know!) Well this book takes Charlene back to that school 10 years later…this time as a teacher. A teacher with a mission. A mission to make sure no other child is never bullied the way her best friend Cinda had been. Charlene’s wounds have not healed, her heart still breaks missing her best friend. She has not “grown out of” needing her friend close to her. So even though Charlene is not the direct recipient of the bullying she too is hurt terribly by it. This is where her mission gets it roots.
The way this story is told is not like the first, not after a tragedy and in interview style. This story follows Charlene as she faces the demons that haunt the hallways of Hargrove High. How Charlene reconnects with a boy from her past that also knew Cinda. How Charlene tries to stop some bullying, but learns how much worse her “help” really makes things worse. How she finally finds the truth and how she truly does change the lives of one small boy and three bullies.
This story will inform/educate how bullying does not only effect the bully and the target but so many other people no matter how the paths have crossed. The effect of the past, the promise of the future, the desperate desire to make sure no other person suffers the pain of being bullied. Pick it up. Took me about a day and a half to read it (and I don’t read fast at all). Another great book. Get your copy today, read it and share it with those you love. The point of both of these books is how damaging bullying can be. Help stop bullying before it starts.
**This book has a few editing errors. As soon as the re-edited book comes out --- this book should rate a 5 with no doubt!
This is a follow up book to “The Snake Pit: High School can be Torture”. I purchased “Return to the Snake Pit” because it was an extension of the first book. I downloaded it to my phones Kindle app immediately upon completion of the first book.
They say children “grow out of” many things. Or “time heals all wounds”…. Well not all wounds heal and time is not always the answer. In the original Snake Pit book, Charlene had befriended a little girl with a facial deformity caused by being born with cleft-pallet, Cinda. Cinda was bullied/teased relentlessly throughout the book and by the end she had taken her own life. (If you have not read it, READ it. I told you what happens to Cinda, but there is so much more you need to know!) Well this book takes Charlene back to that school 10 years later…this time as a teacher. A teacher with a mission. A mission to make sure no other child is never bullied the way her best friend Cinda had been. Charlene’s wounds have not healed, her heart still breaks missing her best friend. She has not “grown out of” needing her friend close to her. So even though Charlene is not the direct recipient of the bullying she too is hurt terribly by it. This is where her mission gets it roots.
The way this story is told is not like the first, not after a tragedy and in interview style. This story follows Charlene as she faces the demons that haunt the hallways of Hargrove High. How Charlene reconnects with a boy from her past that also knew Cinda. How Charlene tries to stop some bullying, but learns how much worse her “help” really makes things worse. How she finally finds the truth and how she truly does change the lives of one small boy and three bullies.
This story will inform/educate how bullying does not only effect the bully and the target but so many other people no matter how the paths have crossed. The effect of the past, the promise of the future, the desperate desire to make sure no other person suffers the pain of being bullied. Pick it up. Took me about a day and a half to read it (and I don’t read fast at all). Another great book. Get your copy today, read it and share it with those you love. The point of both of these books is how damaging bullying can be. Help stop bullying before it starts.
**This book has a few editing errors. As soon as the re-edited book comes out --- this book should rate a 5 with no doubt!
August 11, 2014
“It took years of therapy before I could even think of Cinda without breaking down. She was just a young girl who looked different from other young girls, and she didn’t deserve to be teased and abused by other children. But it happened. Every day, Cinda suffered at the hands of these bullies, everyone seeing yet nobody wanting to help. By the time anyone thought to do something about it, Cinda was gone.”
“Return to the Snake Pit: Saving Hargrove” by Donna Dillon is the follow up book to "The Snake Pit: High School can be Torture”. This book takes place ten years later. Both books are wildly powerful and to the point. The premise is clear and loud. This series is hard to put down and serves a very good message.
Bullies are in all schools. Sometimes it is the bullied who become bullies themselves. Doesn’t matter where or what age group. They exist and are not going away anytime soon. This is a problem that needs to be addressed or innocent children will continue to suffer and maybe even take their own lives. This is an epidemic and change needs to happen now. Donna Dillon sets out to make a difference. In her stories you can feel her compassion for anyone that is being hurt. More people need to share this message and pay attention.
This is an inspiring read that I couldn’t put down. I read both books, one after the other. The importance of this message is life changing. Teachers should have them in their curriculum and parents should suggest that their children read them. It only takes one person to make a difference. If this one person shares with another person and so on before we know it we will all be better informed and maybe there will be change.
One thing I have learned from my boyfriend’s eleven year-old grandson is that he is less embarrassed to talk about being bullied because it is more out in the open. That is encouraging. No one should ever be ashamed of being abused.
I highly recommend Return to the Snake Pit: Saving Hargrove and The Snake Pit: High School can be Torture. These two books as must-reads for all teens and pre-teens and also for anyone who is a parent or who works in the educational system. Tragic stories like this happen far too often in real life and only by taking a pro-active approach can we prevent these real-life tragedies.
“Return to the Snake Pit: Saving Hargrove” by Donna Dillon is the follow up book to "The Snake Pit: High School can be Torture”. This book takes place ten years later. Both books are wildly powerful and to the point. The premise is clear and loud. This series is hard to put down and serves a very good message.
Bullies are in all schools. Sometimes it is the bullied who become bullies themselves. Doesn’t matter where or what age group. They exist and are not going away anytime soon. This is a problem that needs to be addressed or innocent children will continue to suffer and maybe even take their own lives. This is an epidemic and change needs to happen now. Donna Dillon sets out to make a difference. In her stories you can feel her compassion for anyone that is being hurt. More people need to share this message and pay attention.
This is an inspiring read that I couldn’t put down. I read both books, one after the other. The importance of this message is life changing. Teachers should have them in their curriculum and parents should suggest that their children read them. It only takes one person to make a difference. If this one person shares with another person and so on before we know it we will all be better informed and maybe there will be change.
One thing I have learned from my boyfriend’s eleven year-old grandson is that he is less embarrassed to talk about being bullied because it is more out in the open. That is encouraging. No one should ever be ashamed of being abused.
I highly recommend Return to the Snake Pit: Saving Hargrove and The Snake Pit: High School can be Torture. These two books as must-reads for all teens and pre-teens and also for anyone who is a parent or who works in the educational system. Tragic stories like this happen far too often in real life and only by taking a pro-active approach can we prevent these real-life tragedies.
February 12, 2015
As soon as I finished reading "The Snake Pit: Jr. High Can Be Torture", I immediately picked up a copy of this book. I was hoping that it would be as riveting as the first book, and it was.
Ten years after events of the first book, Charlie Carsten returns to Hargrove Jr. High, the site of a bullying tragedy that marred her life forever. But this time, she returns as a teacher, bound and determined to end bullying at her old school once and for all.
But it seems, despite the increased awareness about bullying that wasn't present ten years before, the problem has not been solved. Charlie makes the acquaintance of Mark, a small-for-his-age boy who shows all the signs of physical and emotional abuse but refuses to talk about it.
The bullies in this story are far more secretive and pernicious than before, and there's only so much that Charlie can do. I was riveted as I turned the pages, wondering if history - and tragedy - would repeat itself.
The book is exceptionally well-written. Even though the format is slightly different from The Snake Pit, being told entirely from Charlie's POV, it's a gripping story that shows in intimate, visceral detail what a horrible thing bullying is.
There were a few typos, and I wasn't as enamored with the romantic aspect of the story as I perhaps should have been, but I would highly recommend this book to kids and adults alike.
Ten years after events of the first book, Charlie Carsten returns to Hargrove Jr. High, the site of a bullying tragedy that marred her life forever. But this time, she returns as a teacher, bound and determined to end bullying at her old school once and for all.
But it seems, despite the increased awareness about bullying that wasn't present ten years before, the problem has not been solved. Charlie makes the acquaintance of Mark, a small-for-his-age boy who shows all the signs of physical and emotional abuse but refuses to talk about it.
The bullies in this story are far more secretive and pernicious than before, and there's only so much that Charlie can do. I was riveted as I turned the pages, wondering if history - and tragedy - would repeat itself.
The book is exceptionally well-written. Even though the format is slightly different from The Snake Pit, being told entirely from Charlie's POV, it's a gripping story that shows in intimate, visceral detail what a horrible thing bullying is.
There were a few typos, and I wasn't as enamored with the romantic aspect of the story as I perhaps should have been, but I would highly recommend this book to kids and adults alike.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews