Author: Robert Cormier
Publisher: Pantheon Books
Pub Date: 1977
ISBN: 0-394-83462-3
Pages: 233 (regular print)
Summary: What starts out as a boy running away from home to search for his father turns out to be a terrifying journey through the boy's own mind and memories, the consequences of which are not apparent until the very end of the quest.
Major Characters: Adam Farmer (Paul Delmonte), David Farmer (Anthony Delmonte), Louise Farmer (Louise Nolan), Brint (inquisitor)
Comments: This is a very cerebral and psychological book. (In other words, if you want cotton candy, go read Sweet Valley High instead). Cormier keeps you guessing until the very end. It is an ideal book for teenagers who are interested in conspiracy theories, the FBI, organized crime, etc. The chapters alternate between accounts of Adam's bicycle trip, and his interview with Brint, which is arranged like you were reading a transcript of the interview. There is some mild swearing.
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 16+
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Thursday, February 03, 2005
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Author: Lois Duncan
Publication: New York: Bantam Doubleday Books for Young People
Publication Date: 1973
ISBN: 0-440-22844-1
Pages: 199 (regular-sized print)
Summary: Four friends kill a young boy in a car accident, then make a pact to never tell anyone about it. A year later, one of the teenagers receives a note and she realizes that someone knows what they did. As the threats become more and more violent, the friends must find out who the mysterious person is before he can act out his revenge.
Major Characters: Julie James, Ray Bronson (Julie's boyfriend), Helen Rivers, Barry Cox (Helen's boyfriend), Collingsworth (Collie, Bud), Wilson
Comments: Many people are familiar with this story because it was made into a movie starring Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Ryan Phillipe, Sarah-Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. in 1997. It is sometimes marketed as a horror story, but I would classify it more as a suspense thriller. There are a lot of dark themes presented in the book, such as:
1) there are consequences for your actions
2) every person's life is connected to others
3) guilt is hard to deal with
4) karma (what goes around comes around)
5) selfishness
Some parents might have objections to this book because the main characters drink and smoke pot and Barry gets around quite a bit. (Plus, there's the whole issue of a maniac wandering around trying to kill people... ) Still, there are no sexually explicit scenes and very little swearing.
Genre: Suspense
Age level: 15+
Publication: New York: Bantam Doubleday Books for Young People
Publication Date: 1973
ISBN: 0-440-22844-1
Pages: 199 (regular-sized print)
Summary: Four friends kill a young boy in a car accident, then make a pact to never tell anyone about it. A year later, one of the teenagers receives a note and she realizes that someone knows what they did. As the threats become more and more violent, the friends must find out who the mysterious person is before he can act out his revenge.
Major Characters: Julie James, Ray Bronson (Julie's boyfriend), Helen Rivers, Barry Cox (Helen's boyfriend), Collingsworth (Collie, Bud), Wilson
Comments: Many people are familiar with this story because it was made into a movie starring Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Ryan Phillipe, Sarah-Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. in 1997. It is sometimes marketed as a horror story, but I would classify it more as a suspense thriller. There are a lot of dark themes presented in the book, such as:
1) there are consequences for your actions
2) every person's life is connected to others
3) guilt is hard to deal with
4) karma (what goes around comes around)
5) selfishness
Some parents might have objections to this book because the main characters drink and smoke pot and Barry gets around quite a bit. (Plus, there's the whole issue of a maniac wandering around trying to kill people... ) Still, there are no sexually explicit scenes and very little swearing.
Genre: Suspense
Age level: 15+
SOS Titanic
Author: Eve Bunting
Publication: San Diego, Harcourt Brace
Publication Date: 1996
ISBN: 0-15-201305-9 (pbk.)
Pages: 246 (regular sized print)
Summary: Set onboard the Titanic during her maiden voyage in 1912. The story follows the journey of 15-year-old Barry O'Neill from Ireland to America and his struggle to save himself and his friends when the ship begins to sink.
Major Characters: Barry O'Neill, Pegeen Flynn (his love interest), Jonnie & Frank Flynn (Pegeen's brothers and Barry's enemies), Watley (steward), Mr. Scollins (Barry's guardian)
Comments: This was a very interesting read even though the plot was a little predictable and overdone. (How many lovers from different sides of the tracks were there on that boat?) Bunting did not "dumb down" the story, and included lots of commentary on social issues such as class divisions. This was all presented in a way that would be relevant to teens. The book includes historical details such as a description of the ship, prominent passengers and crew members such as the Astors, Captain Smith, Phillips and Bride (the wireless operators) and the overturned lifeboat that Second Officer Lightoller took over. I think the greatest triumph of this book is that even though everyone knows how the story of the Titanic ends, you still want to finish the book to see what happens to all the characters.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure
Age level: 12+
Publication: San Diego, Harcourt Brace
Publication Date: 1996
ISBN: 0-15-201305-9 (pbk.)
Pages: 246 (regular sized print)
Summary: Set onboard the Titanic during her maiden voyage in 1912. The story follows the journey of 15-year-old Barry O'Neill from Ireland to America and his struggle to save himself and his friends when the ship begins to sink.
Major Characters: Barry O'Neill, Pegeen Flynn (his love interest), Jonnie & Frank Flynn (Pegeen's brothers and Barry's enemies), Watley (steward), Mr. Scollins (Barry's guardian)
Comments: This was a very interesting read even though the plot was a little predictable and overdone. (How many lovers from different sides of the tracks were there on that boat?) Bunting did not "dumb down" the story, and included lots of commentary on social issues such as class divisions. This was all presented in a way that would be relevant to teens. The book includes historical details such as a description of the ship, prominent passengers and crew members such as the Astors, Captain Smith, Phillips and Bride (the wireless operators) and the overturned lifeboat that Second Officer Lightoller took over. I think the greatest triumph of this book is that even though everyone knows how the story of the Titanic ends, you still want to finish the book to see what happens to all the characters.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure
Age level: 12+
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