CAN JOHNNY AND HIS BULLYING BUDDIES WIN OUT OVER NIC NELSON AND HIS “GANG?”

 

 

 

From the very first chapter of Nic Nelson and the Diamonds of Denmark — in fact from the very first page — it becomes apparent that Nic’s new life in New Bonn is not going to be all fun and games. Johnny and the J Gang are on the scene from the start to ensure that Nic’s attempts at living a happy, normal, kid’s existence are foiled on a routine basis.

 

At first, Johnny’s bullying seems rather senseless, as does any bullying. In fact, it could almost appear to be random. One kid standing alone at a pinball machine is easy prey for a cocky youngster with a gang backing him up. But people aren’t born bullies; and although there may not always be an obvious reason why one person bullies another, there is always a catalyst that, right or wrong, sets them on this misguided path.

 

There is also strength in numbers, both for the antagonist and his target. Attacking someone one-on-one can leave a bully somewhat vulnerable to the backlash of the larger numbers of those who frown on bullying. However, creating a “team” can add a little measure of safety for the bully. Although Johnny has an apparent mean streak, he rarely, if ever, makes a move against Nic without his pack to back him up. Likewise, Nic has his gang that started with Kevin and grows to include Phil, Cindy, Herbert, and Dante. Throughout Nic Nelson and the Diamonds of Denmark, we see these two gangs pitted against one another, whether on sleds or a paintball field, as they battle to show which is the stronger, more strategic band of brothers.

 

As the story unfolds more and more, and little mysteries are solved in the telling, you eventually learn what is driving Johnny in his relentless bullying of Nic and the rest of his friends. While nothing justifies bullying, in the mind of a bully, the motive(s) he or she latches onto warrants the actions taken. And as the bullying heightens to a nearly unbearable level for Nic, Kevin, and the rest of their friends, the idea of revenge becomes a very appealing one. With the help of Mr. Chen (who we’ll highlight another time), Nic is helped to realize that retribution, not revenge, is the more successful choice to make.

 

Easy as it is to take an instant liking to Nic, it’s equally easy to dislike Johnny as each episode of bullying takes place. I hope that as you read Nic Nelson and the Diamonds of Denmark you’ll absorb the insights Nic gets along the way that help to clarify the best ways to understand and deal with the “Johnnys” that we all are confronted with from time to time in our lives.

 

 

BULLYING

 

 

Although not a new, unknown aspect of growing up and interacting with others—both face-to-face or via technology—bullying seems to be more rampant these days than ever before. Perhaps it is because we are more privy to information and details regarding bullies and their victims as our world seems to get smaller and smaller through the dissemination of stories over the internet and social media. Or perhaps it is because many people, who wrestle with their own pain, are becoming desensitized to the feelings of others.

 

In Nic Nelson and the Diamonds of Denmark, bullying becomes a large cross to bear for Nic Nelson; and it starts on the very first page of the story.

 

Fortunately for Nic, part of the solution to the problem of his being an ongoing victim of bullying presents itself in the first chapter. I touched on it in an earlier blog post regarding friendship. While not the only solution, having a close-knit circle of friends is a huge deterrent to being bullied.

 

But it doesn’t happen overnight. Nic’s bullying problem with Johnny begins at the pinball machines; and although Nic’s soon-to-be best friend, Kevin, shows up to help, the J Gang is not easily discouraged. Because they attend the same school and participate in many of the same activities, the opportunities for Johnny to antagonize and bully Nic are plentiful. As you’ll find in the scenario between Nic, Johnny and the J Gang in the first chapter, Nic doesn’t always walk away unscathed, although it may look, at times, that he might.

 

And, as is the case with Nic and Johnny, getting to the bottom of a bully’s motives for his or her actions isn’t always easy. For those being bullied, the attacks seem to come out of nowhere without provocation. Not knowing Johnny at all, for a good while Nic finds it very hard to understand why he is Johnny’s target. Fortunately, Nic has Kevin and the rest of his gang (Herbert, Cindy, Dante, and Philip) to help him figure things out, as well as lessen the pain of the constant barrage of the J Gang’s taunting and mean-spirited actions.

 

Whether sledding, playing dodgeball or entering a paintball competition, Nic finds he must constantly be looking over his shoulder and planning strategies with his friends in order to outsmart Johnny and somehow gain his respect. You will need to read Nic Nelson and the Diamonds of Denmark in order to find out if Nic is ever successful at defeating his nemesis, Johnny, and his J Gang.

In my last blog post, I shared how important friendship is to Nic Nelson (and to all of us, for that matter) in Nic Nelson and the Diamonds of Denmark. When he and his mom move to New Bonn, Nic is fortunate enough to make new friends who are able help him feel at home there; and the most important of these is Kevin Becker.

In our first encounter with Kevin, he’s part of the duo that comes to Nic’s rescue from the J Gang. It is obvious from the start that Kevin is bold and just a tad pugnacious — let’s call him feisty! He is definitely the kind of friend you want to have in your corner when you find yourself in a bind. Throughout the rest of the book you see that Kevin is that kind of friend for Nic.

When he befriends Nic, he brings with him his own “gang,” of which you could say he is the leader, albeit Kevin’s gang has many positive traits that the J Gang does not possess.

As the story unfolds further, we get to see many sides of Kevin that make him endearing to everyone (although he would most likely not be happy with that description of himself).

Kevin has grown up the baby of his family with three older sisters who he takes delight in antagonizing (but never in a malicious way). When Nic visits him and spends the night for the first time, he becomes privy to the “secret” little world Kevin has created for himself as the youngest and only male child in the Becker household.

It’s apparent right from the start, through his banter with Jason (Kevin’s “mentor”), that Kevin is a tease — not in a mean, but in a fun way — and has a great sense of humor. He can take a joke or friendly prank good-naturedly, just as easily as he can dish them out. Kevin can be sweet, although usually in a mischievous way, and could probably be quite a troublemaker, if it weren’t for his truly nice nature deep inside (reminiscent of Eddie Haskell in Leave It to Beaver, if you’re old enough to remember him).

Throughout Nic Nelson and the Diamonds of Denmark, you can see how Kevin is ingenious and resourceful, game to help others (specifically Nic, Jason, and the rest of his “gang”) follow through on their plans and ideas, even if they don’t always turn out the way they envision them.

And it is very evident, throughout the challenges Nic faces in the story, that Kevin is a protective and very loyal friend, traits we all emulate and hope to find in our own friendships.

Kevin Becker is an easy character to like, and I know you’ll enjoy getting to know him throughout all the escapades encountered in Nic Nelson and the Diamonds of Denmark.

Friendship…we all know how important it is throughout our lives to have good friends — great friends — the kind of friends who will stand beside you through thick and thin, the good times and the bad. Some people are fortunate enough to find that kind of friendship at a young age and keep that friend or friends throughout their lives.

Friendship that lasts a lifetime often has its roots in a challenge or conflict that one person is facing. That new friend, who will eventually be there to stand the test of time, shows up when you least expect it and turns a tough situation into one you can get through with less trauma than you imagined.

This is exactly what happens for Nic Nelson when he moves to a new town to start his new life in a new neighborhood and a new school. Nic’s dad has died unexpectedly in an accident. In order to distance them from the painful reminders of the tragic loss of his dad, Nic’s mom decides to move them to a new home in a town where he doesn’t know anyone. Making new friends isn’t always easy, let alone when you’re recovering from the loss of a parent and you’re the new kid in town.

Eating alone in the cafeteria each day at school, Nic has yet to attract any new friends. However, he has gotten the attention of Johnny and his gang, who have decided to make life miserable for Nic. As Nic prepares to play pinball one day, Johnny decides to make his presence known and begins antagonizing him. Luckily for Nic, however, the stars have aligned to turn this tough situation into an opportunity for friendship, as I described in the first couple paragraphs.

Friendship turns up for Nic in the form of Kevin Becker, one of the two people who come to Nic’s rescue at the pinball arcade. From the start, Kevin does what good friends do … he makes Nic feel accepted … and also introduces Nic to a larger circle of soon-to-be friends. In addition to Kevin, Dante, Herbert, Philip, and Cindy become the friends Nic truly needs at this point in his life.

When work needs to be done, Nic’s new friends are there to help. When confidences are shared, they’re kept. When teamwork and camaraderie are needed to overcome a hostile foe, Nic’s friends are up to the task. When adventure and mysteries are uncovered, the friendships are strengthened.

There is no getting around the fact that friendship fulfills an important role in our lives; and in Nic Nelson and the Diamonds of Denmark, the friendships cultivated by Nic, Kevin, and the others are endearing, strong, and supportive. I think you’ll enjoy reading about their escapades, which deepen their friendships while conquering their adversaries

Paintball wars, battles with bullies, hidden treasures, fun and intrigue — what more could you ask for in the next book you pick up to read? Well, Nic Nelson and the Diamonds of Denmark provides all those things, plus subtly teaches readers value lessons that are important to learn while growing up. Throughout the book, readers will be drawn into the life of Nic Nelson as his experiences give him opportunities to exhibit those life lessons, such as respect for the caring adults and authority figures in his life, integrity, an appreciation for history, and the strength of love. Of utmost importance to the story, however, is the power of true friendship.

Imagine suddenly losing a parent, having to move to a new town, and start at a new school. Making new friends can be difficult in the best of times, so the fact that Nic Nelson has recently suffered through the unexpected death of his father could have made it a monumental undertaking. Fortunately for him, as it becomes evident from the first chapter, fate steps in and summons exactly what Nic needs at the moment he needs it — new friends.

As his new friendships develop, Nic is also faced with new challenges in the form of the J Gang and its ringleader, Johnny. Throughout the book, this antagonist utilizes every opening he sees to make life miserable for Nic Nelson, usually with some “test” of physical prowess.

Not long after the story unfolds, Nic and his new found friends decide to earn some money raking leaves and are soon drawn into the mystery revolving around the theft of the Diamonds of Denmark. As they work to discover the whereabouts of the diamonds, they’re also confronted by those who want to prevent them from such a discovery, interspersed with continual bullying from Johnny and his gang.

Nic’s pals … Kevin, Dante, Cindy, Herbert, and Philip … are a diverse quintet with seemingly endless resourcefulness when it comes to the obstacles put in their path. While the adult characters in the story, Nic’s mom, Captain Spencer, Jason, and Mr. Chen, provide the much-needed guidance and love for the six friends in order for them to stay true to themselves and each other.

Although no longer physically present in his life, throughout the story it becomes obvious that Nic’s father played a huge part in molding him into the person he is so far at this young age. It is also equally apparent that Nic and his mom share a special bond and continue to be impacted by the shocking loss of his dad.

There is never a dull moment for Nic Nelson and his friends as they fend off bullies, celebrate the holidays together (sometimes in prankish ways), and work at solving the mystery of the Diamonds of Denmark, which has gone unsolved for decades. Join Nic and his gang on their adventures in New Bonn as their friendships deepen and their sleuthing skills are put to the test in Nic Nelson and The Diamonds of Denmark.