Anderson, Laurie Halse (2007). New York: New York: Viking Juvenile Press. ISBN: 0670061018
272 pages
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 15-19
Stars: 5 stars
Subjects: High School, Crime, Popularity, Relationships, Alcohol, Abusive Home
Reader's Annotation
After a summer of community service, Tyler Miller starts his senior year with a body that gets the attention of Bethany Millbury, his social and economic opposite, and things are looking up… but as with everything else in Tyler's life, happiness is short-lived and he soon finds himself accused of a crime he didn't commit.
Summary
Tyler Miller had been a nobody- he didn't play sports, he wasn't rich, and he spent most of his time playing video games -until he sprayed graffiti over his school. He was forced to do community service over the summer and so he entered senior year with a chiseled new body that got the attention of Bethany Miller, a rich social queen bee who is his opposite on many levels. Her brother is his nemesis, and her father is his father's boss. So when he rejects her drunken advances at a party and then nude pictures of Bethany start circulating, and Tyler is facing charges again. He finds no support from his home life or from people at school, and he starts circling the drain, wondering how to get out of the mess he didn't create.
Notes
This is a book that can be rather dark at times, and the resolution isn't totally satisfying, but overall, it presents a realistic portrayal of high school life for those who are on the outside.
Awards
ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2008
ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults 2008
International Reading Association TOp Ten of 2007
New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age
New York Times Bestseller List
Tayshas High School Reading List 2008 (Texas)
Heartland Award Nominee (Kansas)
Georgia Peach Book Award Nominee
Thumbs Up! Award Nominee (Michigan)
Amazon Editor's 2007 Pick for Teens
Borders YA Book Club Pick
Starred Review, KLIATT
Starred Review, Kirkus
Other Information
Readers who enjoyed the realism of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak will find that this book has similar resonance. It hits at some dark issues without shying away from the darkness, which can be somewhat scary. Ultimately, there is resolution within this story. It is also available in audiobook.
Author Information
