Ride High Pineapple

Isabella Burgess, a thirteen year old girl, is hiding a secret. She makes the decision to reveal it to her Year Nine English class during an autobiographical speech. She prays that letting go of her secret will stop her bully, Tia, from calling her cruel names about her face, such as 'Fish Face' and 'Googly Eyes'. The speech doesn't have its desired effect except that Tim, her secret crush, finds out that she loves skateboarding, like he does. Tia, who Issy calls, The Beast, becomes more aggressive. Issy doesn't want to report the bullying because she thinks Tia will threaten her with a knife. Anxiety and a low self-esteem hold Issy captive. A hair fiasco, bouts of friendship jealousy, the school swimming carnival, a test of honesty, and her bully liking Tim, all affect her psyche. She thinks of herself as a freak. Excitement fills Issy when she learns that the X-treme Sports skateboard team are coming to Pinnaroo High. On the way to the show Tia bullies her and she nearly doesn't go. Issy's best friend Tilly, finds her and takes her along. The X-treme team advertise that they are holding a three day clinic in the town's skate park. Issy goes. She is the only girl. Tim also attends. Sarah, one of the coaches, takes Issy under her wing and teaches her some strategies for when she is anxious and is bullied. Sarah uses the analogy of a pineapple. Tia comes to the skate park and hits on Tim. While performing a trick in front of the school, Issy falls and breaks her arm. Mrs Burgess wants her to stop the skateboarding in case she hurts her face. At the hospital Issy has some surprise visitors. Mr Schulter, the school Principal, awards her on Assembly, a trophy and certificate for her skateboarding achievement and bravery. She is also on the front page of the Pinnaroo Press. Issy feels like a star! Another challenge presents itself - Issy has to do an English assignment with Tia. This gives her the opportunity to finally stand up for herself. Tia becomes Tim's girlfriend and is jealous of Issy's friendship with Tim, and continues the bullying. Issy decides that enough is enough, and tells Tilly what's been going on with Tia. Tilly summons help and as a group, the girls stand up to Tia. Tia backs off. Tim remains with Tia but is supportive of Issy. Two more tests await Issy: To stand up for her new friend Sofia, and to stand up to Carla, the Senior bully. She does both. This fills her with a new sense of empowerment. Issy receives one more surprise when she is asked to be the poster girl for the X-treme Sports skateboarding clinic. Finally Issy reflects on how much she has changed and the acceptance of how she looks. Mr Burgess gives her a new skateboard which has pineapples printed all over it. It represents the new Issy.