Review Detail

The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter was another book I happened to find while browsing in the library. I ended up checking it out, and it was one of those stories I started there but finished later at home because I wanted to see how things turned out.

The story follows Theodosia, who prefers to be called Bunny. She is starting seventh grade but has to deal with a huge change after being moved to a different school district. That means leaving behind the friends she has known since kindergarten and starting over somewhere completely new. For Bunny, this is especially hard because she already struggles with anxiety and sometimes feels nervous speaking up in class or being the center of attention. She also has a strong interest in insects, which makes her feel even more different from the other kids around her.

Because she misses her old school and her friends so much, Bunny comes up with the idea that if she gets expelled from the new school, she might be able to go back to where she was before. She begins making poor choices on purpose, like refusing to do homework or acting uncooperative in class. But pretending to be the “bad kid” ends up making her feel just as uncomfortable as being the quiet new student.

What I liked about the book is that it shows how confusing middle school can be for a lot of kids, reminding me of myself when I was in middle school! People are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in. Bunny slowly begins to realize that change is not always the worst thing, especially as she starts meeting new people and finding unexpected interests, like discovering she is actually pretty good at badminton. The story also includes some thoughtful moments with her family, especially conversations about anxiety and feeling different.

Overall, it is a realistic story about growing up, facing change, and learning that sometimes the things we try to avoid can end up helping us grow. It also includes some fun facts about insects, gardening, and pollinators, which adds an extra layer to Bunny’s character and interests.