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Title: The Shadow Club
Author: Neal Shusterman
type of book: YA Fiction
call number: YA/FIC
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This book is strong in character and story.
Main Characters:
- Jared Mercer
- Cheryl and Randall (Jared's best friends)
- Austin Pace (also a friend of Jared's - but Jared secretly hates him)
- Tyson McGaw (a weird kid in school that nobody likes)
Summary:
Jared and Cheryl like to sit and imagine horrible things happenings to their
enemies, so the seven "second best" kids in different areas, (sports, looks, academics, etc.) decide to form the Shadow Club - a group who will support each other and rise above the torment and humiliation of the "best" kids in each area. They decide to play practical jokes on their enemies, and they succeed. One night, during
their Friday night meetings, the biggest loser at their school, Tyson McGaw,
listens in on them. He wants to join their club, but he's too weird, even for
them. After the first round of pranks, someone begins setting up really harmful
pranks on the "unbeatables" and trying to frame the members of the Shadow Club
as the guilty parties. Everything gets out of control and some students really
get hurt.
I would recommend this book!
Why?
This was a darkly gripping story, which was easy to read because it was an
interesting topic for a story and it was well written. Both male and female
teen readers, those in middle and high school, should find this book worth
reading. It truly depicts the reality of competitive school life and how second
bests or outcasts can really feel. The consequences of seemingly harmless acts of
revenge clearly present the moral of the story.
The characters are very well developed and believable, making it easy for
readers to identify with any or all of them. This novel is recommended for both avid and reluctant readers since the story is one which could happen at any school.
Other suggested reading:
The Shadow Club Rising, also by Neal Shusterman
Shattering Glass by Gail Giles
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Related links:
The Neal Shusterman Web Site
Employee Initials: KS
Review Date: February 2003
Read other reviews by this staff member.
