Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Name: Naorin H.  Grade: 10               

Title & Author: Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

               

What was your impression of the book?  Excellent

Would you recommend this book to a friend: Yes

What was your favorite part?

My favorite part is when Tyler is ready to run away and he goes to get the gun from his dad’s room. Holding the gun in his hand and coming close to ending his life made Tyler realize that running away from his problems isn’t the answer and neither is death.

                       

Who was your favorite character? Why?

My favorite character is Tyler, because he goes through a lot in the story but he tries to make the right choices that will benefit those around him. Even if he wants something, he won’t do it if it’s not right. He demonstrated this at the Halloween party when he didn’t let things get out of hand with Bethany because she was drunk.

                       

Write a small summary (without giving away the ending)

Tyler Miller was a loser until he got arrested. All of a sudden, he has a new image and the most popular girl in school is interested in him. But just when life starts to look good for him, it gets twisted and he has to deal with his grades, dad, girl, girl’s brother, and even the police.

Stealing Kevin's Heart by M. Scott Carter

Name: Mario C.  Grade: 11

What was your impression of the book? Okay

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes/No 

                          

What was your favorite part?       

When the boys went racing
Who was your favorite character? Alex.
Summary                

To boys or teens should I say that are friends always go racing, but this this time there was a mishap. Kevin got hit by a drunk driver, and died.

Additional Comments Well to me this book was just boring and I felt that I had to force myself to read it.

Stealing Kevin's Heart by M. Scott Carter

Name: Sara G.  Grade: 10

What was your impression of the book? Good

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes 

                          

What was your favorite part?       

I absolutely loved Alex and Rachel’s special connection; that they can feel it when they need each other. I really liked the idea of Alex waking up in the middle of the night feeling uneasy, taking a walk outside and realizing Rachel is about to get raped. I also enjoyed their conversations and the fact that Alex would only open up to Rachel because his instincts tell him to trust her.
Who was your favorite character? Why?  

My favorite character is Rachel. Rachel is able to get Alex out of his own darkness, something his parents and friends weren’t able to. She has been through a lot and yet she manages to shine among the kids in the camp. She’s not judgmental and she respect herself enough to confront her truths; although, Alex helps her accept herself later on in the story, she is a strong and confidence.
Summary                

After the death of his best friend Kevin, Alex falls into a deep depression. When Alex, a typical teenager, turns suicidal he is sent to a summer camp facility in Oklahoma where he is supposed to be watched and monitored. Alex meets a girl named Rachel, whom he feels drawn to from their first encounter. They develop a relationship and a connection that can only be described as a “Sixth Sense”, as they both make peace with the dramas that drove them to the camp.    

Stealing Kevin's Heart by M. Scott Carter

Name: Naorin H.  Grade: 10

What was your impression of the book?Good

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes 

                          

What was your favorite part?       

My favorite part is when Alex first runs into Rachel and Danny by the lake at Wah-Sha-She Center. Rachel and Danny were having an argument when Danny began to get violent.  Although Alex was not planning on getting involved much at the camp, he felt drawn to the scene opening up in front of him, as if there was something calling him forward. He felt the need to help Rachel and get Danny away from her, even though she was a complete stranger. I loved this part because Alex was acting on impulse and doing the first humane thing since Kevin’s death..

Who was your favorite character? Why?  

My favorite character is Alex because he grows a lot throughout the book. He starts off as a depressed and angry teenager who blames himself for the death of his best friend, Kevin. Alex’s depression may have been unpleasant, but it was a realistic result of the tragedy he had to deal with. As the story progresses, Rachel is able to bring out Alex’s good side and she helps him heal.

Summary                

Alex is a typical teenager until his best friend, Kevin, dies in a motorcycle accident. Scarred from witnessing the death and convinced it was his fault; Alex falls into a state of depression that almost leads him to suicide. His parents send him away to Wah-Sha-She Center to help him get over the death. There, he meets Rachel and immediately feels a connection to her. Rachel helps Alex get better and they soon realize they are connected by more than just summer memories....

Additional feedback (optional)

Although I enjoyed reading this book, it was a bit predictable and went a little slow at times. I would still recommend it to readers who are looking for a light story to read.