ISBN: 978-0-689-83564-3
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, NY
2002
111 pages
Plot Summary
Everything spiralled downhill for Leo's family after the brutal murder of his 17-year-old sister, Michelle. She had been such a good kid, working in a hospital gift shop. She was the calm one in the family, the one everyone depended on to keep their emotions in check. On the 4th anniversary of Michelle's death (at the hands of her abusive boyfriend), Leo's mother is worse than ever. She can't work, doesn't even change out of her pajamas, she just gets drunk and yells at him, blaming him for his sister's murder. Leo can't take it anymore and goes out driving; he thinks that Michelle wants him to kill another girl to make up for her murder - he's so confused that he kidnaps a girl right off the street. She's dressed sexily but it turns out that Bree is just a kid -seventeen, the same age as Leo. The decisions the two of them make during the night change their lives.
Critical Evaluation
This is an interesting premise for a story - two 17-year-olds from completely different walks of life find they have common bonds - but it's a little far-fetched that Leo just happens to kidnap a girl who also has a dead sister. However, the way the author depicts their changing emotions during the night feels real. Bree is scared at first but realized that Leo doesn't really want to hurt her - and Leo starts out all macho but starts letting down his guard. Both changes are realistic.
Reader's Annotation
Leo's life has spiralled out of control since his sister's murder. On the 4th anniversary of her death he decides to kidnap and kill a girl who deserves it - unlike his sister who was a good kid. But what happens when Leo kidnaps Bree, a girl who is just another 17-year-old - a kid not so different from himself?
Author's Info
Ellen Wittlinger is the author of many acclaimed YA novels, including Hard Love, another book in this blog. She's also written Razzle and What's in a Name, Noticing Paradise and Lombardo's Law. A former children's librarian, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two children.
Genre
Realistic YA novel
No Curriculum Ties
Booktalking Ideas
1. Leo is driving around looking for a "bad" girl to kidnap. Why does he choose Bree?
2. Leo tells Bree that her boyfriend shouldn't tell her what to wear or boss her around. What gives him the right to tell her those things?
Reading/ Interest Level
High school for both
Challenge Issues and Defense
murder, kidnapping, alcoholism
none are graphic and the story definitely doesn't glamorize the violence or alcoholism
Library's collection development policy
Award-winning author
Why I Included This Book
Hard Love was an excellent book so I wanted to read another by the same author. This book was well-written but not on a par with Hard Love.
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