Stealing Kevin’s Heart by M. Scott Carter

Name: Nav T Grade: 10

Title & Author: Stealing Kevin’s Heart by M. Scott Carter

What was your impression of this book?: Okay

Would you recommend this book to a friend: No  

What was your favorite part?

When the noises are heard in the girls’ cabin, the suspense built up unlike the rest of the story.

Who was your favorite character? Why?

The man trying to rape Rachel was in all honesty my favorite character because without him the plot would be extremely bland.

Write a small summary (without giving away the ending)

A boy and his best friend Kevin end up in a tragic motorcycle accident which ends up killing Kevin.  The boy becomes depressed and is sent to a camp to deal with his issues, where he meets the love of his life.

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.

Stealing Kevin's Heart by M. Scott Carter

Name: Mrs. Valerie Giambona, librarian

What was your impression of the book? Good

Would you recommend this book to a friend?  Yes  

                          

What was your favorite part?       

“ Life’s not fair, the difference between the winners and losers is that the winners never give up.”

Who was your favorite character? Why?  

Alex was the main character, and likeable. He suffers through and endures a bad situation. Feeling alone, guilty, and grief stricken, his sadness brings him to the unthinkable. 

Summary

In a small town, Alex and Kevin have been friends since kindergarten. Now seniors in high school, they have so much to look forward too. Then a horrible accident happens and Alex blames himself. Feeling this great sadness and tragedy Alex suffers in silence. His parents send him to a summer camp for troubled youths in the wilds of southeastern Oklahoma. There Alex finds the friends and support he needs to heal, and look forward to the future. Love survives...............

Additional feedback (optional)

Stealing Kevin’s Heart had a predictable plot. A good read with a great message to its readers. The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy.

Stealing Kevin's Heart by M. Scott Carter

Name: Bethany M.  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 loved the part when Alex, Rachel, and their friends visit Kevin’s grave to perform a special ceremony of stones atop the grave. When they were departing the cemetery, Rachel slammed on the brakes of the car only to see her recently broken bracelet glimmering next to the grave. That part was so special! It left sort of a supernatural feeling and I loved it! It was a great ending.

Who was your favorite character? Why?  

I loved Rachel. It’s probably pretty predictable, I’d say. But,

She’d been through so much in her life and she was so strong. I loved the fact that Alex had been there for her in her weakest moments and the strong connection they felt. Rachel reminded me of my best friend who had a heart transplant. Brave people, they are.

Summary                

Alex Anderson and Kevin Rubenstein are absolute best friends. Their differences are what make them so compatible, and they couldn’t imagine life without one another. That is, until Alex needs to live through the unimaginable. Kevin is killed in a horrid motorcycle accident, and without anyone to lean on, Alex becomes more and more frustrated with the world. Blistering fury and overwhelming sadness and reminiscence of Kevin are the only ways that Alex can cope. With the world now turned away from him, Alex is sent by his parents to a summer camp to try and help his emotional distress. He believes he can no longer struggle through life without his best mate by his side, until he meets a beautiful Texas angel that shows him what life really means to people.         

Additional feedback (optional)

This was a good book! My only criticism at the moment is that I didn’t enjoy how long it took to get Alex to the camp. To me, it was lots of pages wasted on anger and anger and more anger. However, perhaps without the anger, the book wouldn’t have left the same effect. Not my favorite book, but definitely not the worst I’ve ever read.