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Did you guess correctly?

I initially thought Tiffany wrote the notes because she was jealous of Penelope and Mary Grace’s friendship. I also wondered if there was a boy who secretly had a crush on Mary Grace and was misguided about how to get her attention.

Following the story, the reader would not have thought of Justin because he had not previously been mentioned. I felt sorry for Tiffany that she was caught in a blackmail situation and was glad she did not write the notes.

Who did you think wrote the notes? Were you right?

Justin Green wrote the notes, gave them to Tifanny, and forced her to put them under Mary Grace's desk. If Tifanny wouldn't do it, Justin will confess to Ms. Root that she was cheating on their exam. Hence, she was blackmailed. Due to a lack of attention in the family, Justin became bullied because his Daddy was always busy and don't have time for him. He doesn't like Donny and wanted just to make a mess in the school. This book has a lot to offer in terms of moral lessons. It was an enjoyable read for me.

Hi @Hazel Mae Bagarinao!

Did you have any idea it was Justin before Tiffany said something to Ms. Root?

MsH2k wrote: ↑21 May 2023, 19:15 Hi @Hazel Mae Bagarinao!

Did you have any idea it was Justin before Tiffany said something to Ms. Root?

I have no idea. I even thought it was from Tifanny. The storyline is unpredictable.

(Sorry, if I haven't answered it right from the beginning.)

Hazel Mae Bagarinao wrote: ↑21 May 2023, 19:37
I have no idea. I even thought it was from Tifanny. The storyline is unpredictable.

(Sorry, if I haven't answered it right from the beginning.)

No problem at all—I was just curious. The story did have some unexpected twists. I’m looking forward to another Grandma Gang adventure.

I thought Tiffany, there was no Justin. Only when Tiffany confessed was there a proper bully. It would have been indeed a different story if Tiffany was the one who wrote the notes, plus we all could say that we knew it. A great plot twist indeed. Keep the readers guessing and don't let them know your next move. Children like to guess, this is a fun way to keep them guessing.

Hazel Mae Bagarinao wrote: ↑21 May 2023, 19:37

MsH2k wrote: ↑21 May 2023, 19:15 Hi @Hazel Mae Bagarinao!

Did you have any idea it was Justin before Tiffany said something to Ms. Root?

I have no idea. I even thought it was from Tifanny. The storyline is unpredictable.

(Sorry, if I haven't answered it right from the beginning.)

True, same thoughts. I searched the book and found that in the Acknowledgement part the author mentions that her friend's sons read early drafts to find out what happens to Justin. You see, she revealed the bully early on. Good way to carefully read it.

I thought the same thing too. I thought Tiffany wrote the notes. But as the notes became more threatening I'm not so sure anymore. Justin never came up because he was never mentioned before.

At first, I thought it was Tiffany, but it seemed too obvious that it would be her, so I expected that someone else wrote the notes, but had no idea it would be Justin.

Kavita Shah wrote: ↑21 May 2023, 20:49 I searched the book and found that in the Acknowledgement part the author mentions that her friend's sons read early drafts to find out what happens to Justin. You see, she revealed the bully early on.

I stumbled upon that little clue after I finished the book as I was searching to make sure I got Justin's name right. It didn't ring a bell when I first read that because the characters had not been introduced, and then I forgot about her mentioning it as I read the story. That was indeed a clever hint by the author.

Rocky Ellery James Tumbelaka wrote: ↑22 May 2023, 04:08 I thought the same thing too. I thought Tiffany wrote the notes. But as the notes became more threatening I'm not so sure anymore. Justin never came up because he was never mentioned before.

Yes, the increasingly threatening tone of the notes made me also think it wasn't Tiffany after all.

Dauria04 wrote: ↑22 May 2023, 07:00 At first, I thought it was Tiffany, but it seemed too obvious that it would be her, so I expected that someone else wrote the notes, but had no idea it would be Justin.

Yes, it would have been disappointing if it were Tiffany (alone) because it would have been too easy to figure out. Adding the cheating and blackmail to the bullying was an interesting twist.

I figured Tiffany had something to do with the notes because the author mentioned her jealousy of Penelope and Mary Grace, but I also suspected there might be a twist, and that she did not write the notes. I never would have suspected Justin because, like you said, he isn't mentioned earlier in the book. It was a surprise.

Savina V wrote: ↑23 May 2023, 03:54 I figured Tiffany had something to do with the notes because the author mentioned her jealousy of Penelope and Mary Grace, but I also suspected there might be a twist, and that she did not write the notes. I never would have suspected Justin because, like you said, he isn't mentioned earlier in the book. It was a surprise.

I wonder if the author made the guilty party a combo: the easier one to figure out for the younger reader and the surprise to keep the older reader engaged. Whatever her motivation, it worked!

I thought it was Tiffany, too. There were no other potential kids introduced for us to suspect. This was a pleasant surprise; otherwise, the story would have been predictable and a bit boring.