What do you think?
Rate this book
The Greenlee Project
Greenlee Lynn Granger is about to find out how easily social media can be used as a malicious a normal teen one day and ruined the next. Who knew a boy's affections would turn her life into such a nightmare? Becoming a designated 'project,' a joke in front of the whole school, turns Greenlee's life upside down. Relationships with her family and friends strained, she is forced to make mature decisions. Greenlee knows her choices will determine the future of her abusers. An emotional glimpse into the reality of cyberbullying. The Greenlee Project showcases the all-too-common anonymous and cruel betrayals of others through social media, of such magnitude that it devastates a young teen, her friends, family, and the community. Cyberbullying affects not just the victims, but everyone around them. After being the target of cyberbullying, what Greenlee does next is shocking.
206 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2014
1 person is currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Amanda M. Thrasher
14 books201 followersAmanda M. Thrasher is an international award-winning author. She’s a multiple Gold Recipient of The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA), earning the award in multiple categories, including Young Adult, General Fiction, and Children’s Chapter Books. She’s a multiple Gold Medal and Bronze winner of the Readers’ Favorite International Book awards and was awarded a New Apple Literary Award.
Amanda was contracted to write a graphic novel for the Driving on the Right Side of the Road Program. The publication, What If...A Story of Shattered Lives is part of the Driving on the Right Side of the Road (DRSR) program, developed by the Law-Related Education Department of the State Bar of Texas Law Focused Education, Inc., and the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center with funding from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Department of Transportation. The purpose of the program is to offer a preventive educational program to encourage responsible decision-making when it comes to obeying traffic laws and to following safe practices. The graphic novel titled What If … A Story of Shattered Lives was adapted into a reader’s theater for as few as five speakers or as many as twenty-six and remains part of the DRSR program.
CAPTAIN FIN was based on a screenplay by Kevin James O’Neill. Amanda was contracted to adapt the screenplay into a novel for Kevin. Kevin is a director, actor, and producer. CAPTAIN FIN the novel won a Readers’ Favorite International Gold Book Award and was the Gold Recipient of The Mom’s Choice Awards®.
Amanda shares her writing experience with others through school visits, trade conferences, and writing workshops.
Amanda was contracted to write a graphic novel for the Driving on the Right Side of the Road Program. The publication, What If...A Story of Shattered Lives is part of the Driving on the Right Side of the Road (DRSR) program, developed by the Law-Related Education Department of the State Bar of Texas Law Focused Education, Inc., and the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center with funding from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Department of Transportation. The purpose of the program is to offer a preventive educational program to encourage responsible decision-making when it comes to obeying traffic laws and to following safe practices. The graphic novel titled What If … A Story of Shattered Lives was adapted into a reader’s theater for as few as five speakers or as many as twenty-six and remains part of the DRSR program.
CAPTAIN FIN was based on a screenplay by Kevin James O’Neill. Amanda was contracted to adapt the screenplay into a novel for Kevin. Kevin is a director, actor, and producer. CAPTAIN FIN the novel won a Readers’ Favorite International Gold Book Award and was the Gold Recipient of The Mom’s Choice Awards®.
Amanda shares her writing experience with others through school visits, trade conferences, and writing workshops.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 25, 2022
Written as if had come right from the newspaper The Greenlee Project is a story of cyber-bulling and it's effect not just on the victim but on family and friends.
Well written and smoothly paced this one moves from start to finish with an ease this reader appreciated.
Well written and smoothly paced this one moves from start to finish with an ease this reader appreciated.
April 19, 2014
THE GREENLEE PROJECT AMANDA M. THRASHER
Greenlee Lynn Granger is an average high school student about to face the most humiliating experience of her life because of what Clay Monning and his teammates did.
The subject matter of cyber-bullying is sad and disgusting. A young girl’s abject humiliation at the hands of her peers is a lesson to be learned that bullying of any kind is just WRONG. Ms. Thrasher has chosen a hot-button topic that needs even more attention due to the rash of bullying across the continent. As a reader I empathized with the victim and wanted to reach into the book and throttle the perpetrators. The author could have just ended the story with the girl as the victim and the guilty parties getting their just punishments but what she does to send a message is a surprise. The ending made me shout out YOU GO GIRL!
This is a book that should be studied in middle grades and high-school as part of a social studies or health program. Kids being bullied read this along with those engaging in the activity. Well written and poignant, recommend that you have a box of tissues handy as you read it. THE GREENLEE PROJECT is a five star read and one of the best Young adult novels I have ever read!
Greenlee Lynn Granger is an average high school student about to face the most humiliating experience of her life because of what Clay Monning and his teammates did.
The subject matter of cyber-bullying is sad and disgusting. A young girl’s abject humiliation at the hands of her peers is a lesson to be learned that bullying of any kind is just WRONG. Ms. Thrasher has chosen a hot-button topic that needs even more attention due to the rash of bullying across the continent. As a reader I empathized with the victim and wanted to reach into the book and throttle the perpetrators. The author could have just ended the story with the girl as the victim and the guilty parties getting their just punishments but what she does to send a message is a surprise. The ending made me shout out YOU GO GIRL!
This is a book that should be studied in middle grades and high-school as part of a social studies or health program. Kids being bullied read this along with those engaging in the activity. Well written and poignant, recommend that you have a box of tissues handy as you read it. THE GREENLEE PROJECT is a five star read and one of the best Young adult novels I have ever read!
July 26, 2016
To be completely honest, this book made me really sad. Not because I was ever cyber-bullied, but because I have a little cousin, only a year older than Greenlee in the book, who HAS been bullied. As I read, I saw Greenlee, not as a character in a book, but as someone I love and long to protect. It killed me to read her inner thoughts, how she was so thrilled to be included, noticed, and how she had no idea what was really going on.
Unfortunately, in the world we live in, it is far too easy to manipulate, to make poor choices, and to have those choices broadcasted for the entire world to see online. The Internet is a great blessing in many ways. It allows communication, education, and opportunity. However, it can also be very, very destructive, especially when those with access to it abuse its potential power.
Amanda M. Thrasher delivers and enlightening and inspirational narrative about the world that teenagers live in today, and I highly recommend The Greenlee Project for high school students, parents, and teachers. It might just change someone's life for the better.
Unfortunately, in the world we live in, it is far too easy to manipulate, to make poor choices, and to have those choices broadcasted for the entire world to see online. The Internet is a great blessing in many ways. It allows communication, education, and opportunity. However, it can also be very, very destructive, especially when those with access to it abuse its potential power.
Amanda M. Thrasher delivers and enlightening and inspirational narrative about the world that teenagers live in today, and I highly recommend The Greenlee Project for high school students, parents, and teachers. It might just change someone's life for the better.
September 9, 2016
In a story that could be pulled straight from today’s headlines, author Amanda Thrasher tells a tale of how one boy’s secret football initiation challenge snowballs into cyber-bullying of devastating proportions. It is not, however, just the bullies and the victim whose lives are changed; the ripple effect impacts the whole community.
What is particularly interesting to me about The Greenlee Project, is that the main perpetrator of the bullying is basically a good kid who makes some bad choices. Clay Manning is the new kid at school, and he desperately wants to establish himself as a leader on the football team – no matter what the cost. His first mistake (after coming up with his ridiculously insensitive plan) was to feed on encouragement from his peers; his second mistake was to ignore his own gut feelings telling him what he was doing was wrong; his third mistake was to believe that anything electronic could be confined to a small, contained group of people. As the initiation project becomes frenzied and then spirals out of control, the lessons for readers to learn are important – and plentiful.
Thrasher’s characters are realistic and identifiable. Most of the characters will seem familiar and just the kinds of kids, school staff, and parents found in any high school environment. Many of the characters will elicit a specific reaction from the reader including loving them, loathing them, and everything in between. The story is told from omniscient point of view, so readers know the thoughts of pretty much every character in the story, during every scene in the story, which often felt like information overload. Then again, information overload is part of what drives the plot of The Greenlee Project – there’s that constant stream of data with an always present, ever-growing audience pushing for more and more and more.
The writing level and dialogue are authentic to the setting and primary audience, and the pace will keep readers engaged, no matter what age. The author keeps the content vague when referencing sexual situations, and shows clear consequences for drinking alcohol, so it’s appropriate for a wider band of readers. The book could benefit from some editing to clean up the scattered errors and to establish a clearer timeline of events, which would take it to another level. Despite the errors, by the end of the book, the big picture is clear. The ending is excellent in modeling that victims have a choice to remain powerless or to become empowered, and that out of misery can come great awareness and the ability to make a difference.
Thank you to the author and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing me a print copy in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give. Review and special features on Hall Ways blog http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...
What is particularly interesting to me about The Greenlee Project, is that the main perpetrator of the bullying is basically a good kid who makes some bad choices. Clay Manning is the new kid at school, and he desperately wants to establish himself as a leader on the football team – no matter what the cost. His first mistake (after coming up with his ridiculously insensitive plan) was to feed on encouragement from his peers; his second mistake was to ignore his own gut feelings telling him what he was doing was wrong; his third mistake was to believe that anything electronic could be confined to a small, contained group of people. As the initiation project becomes frenzied and then spirals out of control, the lessons for readers to learn are important – and plentiful.
Thrasher’s characters are realistic and identifiable. Most of the characters will seem familiar and just the kinds of kids, school staff, and parents found in any high school environment. Many of the characters will elicit a specific reaction from the reader including loving them, loathing them, and everything in between. The story is told from omniscient point of view, so readers know the thoughts of pretty much every character in the story, during every scene in the story, which often felt like information overload. Then again, information overload is part of what drives the plot of The Greenlee Project – there’s that constant stream of data with an always present, ever-growing audience pushing for more and more and more.
The writing level and dialogue are authentic to the setting and primary audience, and the pace will keep readers engaged, no matter what age. The author keeps the content vague when referencing sexual situations, and shows clear consequences for drinking alcohol, so it’s appropriate for a wider band of readers. The book could benefit from some editing to clean up the scattered errors and to establish a clearer timeline of events, which would take it to another level. Despite the errors, by the end of the book, the big picture is clear. The ending is excellent in modeling that victims have a choice to remain powerless or to become empowered, and that out of misery can come great awareness and the ability to make a difference.
Thank you to the author and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing me a print copy in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give. Review and special features on Hall Ways blog http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...
September 16, 2016
This review was first posted here: http://karatheredhead.blogspot.com/20...
I can never understand why people have to bully others. However, it seems to be more prevalent now that there is social media. I am so glad we did not have facebook when I was in high school! The internet was a few years old, and some of us were definitely in the early chatroom/messenger craze. There was still regular bullying going on, and now that this subject is being talked about more, I realize how often it was occurring.
I felt so horrible for Greenlee because I knew something terrible was just around the corner. I flew through this book, hoping I was wrong! I liked how the first half of the book was about Greenlee trying to go back to school, and the second half explained what she went through and why she was having such a hard time going back to school in the beginning.
I can definitely see why this book was a Gold recipient of The Mom's Choice Awards. I really liked how the parents were a part of the story too, and it showed how they had to deal with everything going on, on both sides of the story.
I would recommend this for all preteens, teens, and parents to read. I think it would help open their eyes to this type of behavior and find out whether they are participating in this horrible deed or on their way to being a victim. They would also be more aware in order to help other friends who may have gone or are about to go through something similar.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to Lone Star Book Blog Tours, Amanda M. Thrasher and Rising Phoenix Press for providing me with a book copy in exchange for my honest review!
I can never understand why people have to bully others. However, it seems to be more prevalent now that there is social media. I am so glad we did not have facebook when I was in high school! The internet was a few years old, and some of us were definitely in the early chatroom/messenger craze. There was still regular bullying going on, and now that this subject is being talked about more, I realize how often it was occurring.
I felt so horrible for Greenlee because I knew something terrible was just around the corner. I flew through this book, hoping I was wrong! I liked how the first half of the book was about Greenlee trying to go back to school, and the second half explained what she went through and why she was having such a hard time going back to school in the beginning.
I can definitely see why this book was a Gold recipient of The Mom's Choice Awards. I really liked how the parents were a part of the story too, and it showed how they had to deal with everything going on, on both sides of the story.
I would recommend this for all preteens, teens, and parents to read. I think it would help open their eyes to this type of behavior and find out whether they are participating in this horrible deed or on their way to being a victim. They would also be more aware in order to help other friends who may have gone or are about to go through something similar.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to Lone Star Book Blog Tours, Amanda M. Thrasher and Rising Phoenix Press for providing me with a book copy in exchange for my honest review!
September 12, 2016
The Greenlee Project brings to light a very important issue that is often ignored. While it centers on cyber-bullying, the face-to-face bullying is very present in this as well. What’s interesting about this book is that you feel empathy for all of them. They are all making mistakes and taking their own personal frustration outward unto other people as a way to make themselves feel empowered. It’s a self-destructive and spiraling effect that involves everyone in this book.
I didn’t want to feel hate for any of the characters because I remember how tough high school was at times. Still, it was frustrating to read about Clay actions and non-actions in stopping the bullying of Greenlee. It made no sense to randomly choose to target her, especially after one glance. Laurel, a popular girl in the school, is also dealing with a very dangerous and important issue herself. Yet, she still puts down her friend Kelsey and expects her to ignore the issue. It really brings to light how trying to fit in can make you act in irrational and cruel ways. Even if you’re considered popular.
This book does show some positive aspects as well. While there are cliques that have friction between each other, there is also a very well-exampled mix of group dynamics and how friendship varies between them. Even someone that might feel jealously towards their friend will ultimately want what’s best for them and will do what’s necessary to make sure they’re alright. Or a friend that stands by another, even when jokes and backlash are coming down on them and they might be caught in the crosshairs. Thrasher did a great job of balancing between the positives and negatives of growing up.
Since the book doesn’t have a timeline or character line breaks, it can get a bit confusing as the writing changes between perspectives. I tended to consider this book set some years back since the slang used was more around 5 years ago. It was actually pretty easy to consider it exactly the time I was in high school since I remember texting or saying ‘true dat’ quite a bit and chatting on forums.
This might seem pessimistic but there is always going to be bullying. It’s just something that can happen randomly and intentionally. It’s the reaction to it that truly matters. Standing by someone being bullied and stopping the issue can change their day. It can change their life. So is standing up for yourself. I wish this book had been recommended reading in middle school or high school as opposed to the others. It can and will make a difference to someone that has been bullied before or may be bullied one day. The first step to making people better is being aware of what we need to change. The ending was great and I was really proud of Greenlee. This book is a great choice for teens and parents.
The opportunity to read and review this book was provided by Lone Star Book Blog Tours. My review and additional info can be found at http://www.thepageunbound.com/2016/09... The Page Unbound
I didn’t want to feel hate for any of the characters because I remember how tough high school was at times. Still, it was frustrating to read about Clay actions and non-actions in stopping the bullying of Greenlee. It made no sense to randomly choose to target her, especially after one glance. Laurel, a popular girl in the school, is also dealing with a very dangerous and important issue herself. Yet, she still puts down her friend Kelsey and expects her to ignore the issue. It really brings to light how trying to fit in can make you act in irrational and cruel ways. Even if you’re considered popular.
This book does show some positive aspects as well. While there are cliques that have friction between each other, there is also a very well-exampled mix of group dynamics and how friendship varies between them. Even someone that might feel jealously towards their friend will ultimately want what’s best for them and will do what’s necessary to make sure they’re alright. Or a friend that stands by another, even when jokes and backlash are coming down on them and they might be caught in the crosshairs. Thrasher did a great job of balancing between the positives and negatives of growing up.
Since the book doesn’t have a timeline or character line breaks, it can get a bit confusing as the writing changes between perspectives. I tended to consider this book set some years back since the slang used was more around 5 years ago. It was actually pretty easy to consider it exactly the time I was in high school since I remember texting or saying ‘true dat’ quite a bit and chatting on forums.
This might seem pessimistic but there is always going to be bullying. It’s just something that can happen randomly and intentionally. It’s the reaction to it that truly matters. Standing by someone being bullied and stopping the issue can change their day. It can change their life. So is standing up for yourself. I wish this book had been recommended reading in middle school or high school as opposed to the others. It can and will make a difference to someone that has been bullied before or may be bullied one day. The first step to making people better is being aware of what we need to change. The ending was great and I was really proud of Greenlee. This book is a great choice for teens and parents.
The opportunity to read and review this book was provided by Lone Star Book Blog Tours. My review and additional info can be found at http://www.thepageunbound.com/2016/09... The Page Unbound
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2019
Having read and enjoyed a couple of Amanda Thrasher’s Y/A novels, I decided to read The Greenlee Project. This book has won all kinds of awards, and I can see why! This book is a deeply troubling account of an initiation gone wrong, when a young girl’s reputation is ruined in the process of an attempt by an incoming football star to secure acceptance by his new team. Opportunist in nature, Machiavellian in scope, a young girl is subjected to betrayal and humiliation when a plot is hatched to make the young Greenlee think that Clay is interested in her, and then is devastated when another jealous girl shares a staged viral video to the public. The dangers of cyber-bullying are real – and are explicit in this story of a ruined reputation – but the story ends on a note of forgiveness and empathy from the revealed character strength of the protagonist and title character, Greenlee. I highly recommend this story to all… especially parents of teens!!
October 9, 2016
This novel addresses an important topic, that of cyber bullying. The plot is very good and will hold the attention of teen readers. My thanks to the publisher for sending me the ARC. I'm sure that the advanced readers copy that I read will improve with further editing. In some instances I felt that the narration belabored the points that were already being demonstrated by the characters' actions pulling the reader's attention away from the action and the characters' emotions. This book will be very useful reading for a class room assignment as well as a good pick for pleasure reading. When the finished copy is released, I will be considering it for my library's collection.
July 16, 2016
This is a fantastic book, and is truly a must-read for any pre-teen, teenager, and especially parents. It's horrifyingly eye-opening about the truth of the dangers of cyber-bullying.
December 22, 2016
This book needs a sign which says “WARNING DANGER AHEAD” in big bold letters on the cover. The warning should be in bright neon so that no one can miss it. The author says that the book was “difficult to write”. It not only is difficult to read, it is downright painful. Time and again you want to reach out and help the protagonist so she won’t be hurt.
The writing is so realistic and timely it makes you want to protect the heroine of the story from the abuse and ridicule you know is coming. As the story unfolds your worst nightmares begin to materialize as peer pressure and group think begin to unfold. For some reason, even the best seem to get caught up in tormenting and abusing others when groups are involved. Moral compasses are shattered. Doing what is right gets lost in the pull of the crowd.
Thrasher has done a fantastic job of showing what life in today’s connected social media driven youth culture can and often does become. This is a book each parent should read with their children, opening the opportunity for dialogue about their current situation or what might be down the road. If they have not already dealt with bullying or cyberbullying, they will be face it either as a victim or abuser sooner or later. Parents need to find out what is going on and this book will open that conversation. Children need a game plan to help them navigate these waters. Again, this book will help them and their parents chart a course.
Unfortunately, the story portrayed in this book is not limited to teenagers in high school. Too often the same characteristics can be found in work and play in other venues. Therefore, it would be wise for those of all ages to read and take to heart the message of this book. As they author says, everyone loses. There are no winners when this happens.
The power to change the future for ourselves and our youth is in our hands. It’s up to us to do what is needed to make a difference.
The writing is so realistic and timely it makes you want to protect the heroine of the story from the abuse and ridicule you know is coming. As the story unfolds your worst nightmares begin to materialize as peer pressure and group think begin to unfold. For some reason, even the best seem to get caught up in tormenting and abusing others when groups are involved. Moral compasses are shattered. Doing what is right gets lost in the pull of the crowd.
Thrasher has done a fantastic job of showing what life in today’s connected social media driven youth culture can and often does become. This is a book each parent should read with their children, opening the opportunity for dialogue about their current situation or what might be down the road. If they have not already dealt with bullying or cyberbullying, they will be face it either as a victim or abuser sooner or later. Parents need to find out what is going on and this book will open that conversation. Children need a game plan to help them navigate these waters. Again, this book will help them and their parents chart a course.
Unfortunately, the story portrayed in this book is not limited to teenagers in high school. Too often the same characteristics can be found in work and play in other venues. Therefore, it would be wise for those of all ages to read and take to heart the message of this book. As they author says, everyone loses. There are no winners when this happens.
The power to change the future for ourselves and our youth is in our hands. It’s up to us to do what is needed to make a difference.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews