Kevin's Point of View

by Del Shannon

To escape the emotional turmoil of his father’s death 12-year-old Kevin Tobin has retreated inside himself, developing his imagination into a dangerous foil and a powerful ally. While he antagonizes everyone with his superhero antics, his ability to escape inside himself becomes critical to his survival after his life is once-again turned upside down a year after his father’s death. When a mysterious package arrives in the mail, Kevin and his best friend are hunted by a ruthless villain who is determined to retrieve the package, which holds the key to his plans for world domination. After enlisting Kevin’s teenage sister and her pizza-delivery boyfriend in a battle for control over time itself, the group escapes into the mountains west of Boulder, Colorado and eventually discover that Kevin’s entire existence is because of the love of someone we never expected.Kevin's Point of View is Del Shannon's debut novel and shows a deep appreciation for the powers of imagination, family ties, and the desire of young boys to both escape reality and prove themselves within it. The fast-paced, adventure-filled storytelling style makes this a book with wide appeal for readers of all ages.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Ebooks

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2010

About the author

Del Shannon is a civil engineer and works on water projects around the world, and is also an independent writer and author. He lives with his wife and two children in Boulder, Colorado.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hi! I'm Kevin Tobin and well, this is my Point of View. See, the lady that runs this review page- she's been really busy lately with some personal stuff, you know, grown up things, so she asked me to tell you about my book, my Point of View. Sooo, here I am! This book is about a time in my life- a very eventful time in my life- when everything was going wrong- including me. But I learned that sometimes, wrong is the only way to make it right-ya know what I mean?

Anyway, one way my life was wrong was that my dad was killed in a bicycle accident-the only thing left was a mangled tangle of metal that didn't even look like a bike. And the way I dealt was to retreat into my imagination. I pretended to be someone else like Captain Disaster fighting the evil Floogs. One day I was in my F117A Stealth Fighter at the time about to knock out a missile site when I was called back to Red Team Base by the Pentagon (my mother) for a package pick up. Turned out to be mine. I raced to my room opened it up and found this weird remote control and started playing around with it, me being a curious boy of 12 and then Holy Fruitloops (I didn't say that) it blew a hole...."

Uh thanks Kevin! Thank you so much for starting without me. I appreciate what you've done, but I'll take it from here. We don't want to give the story away. We want people to want to get the novel and read if for themselves. "But I was only going to tell them about the Influxitron and Scratch and Tony and ..." Really, Goodbye Kevin! Back in the book or I'm calling Del. He may not give you a part in the sequel. "Okay, bye."

So, to take over my review again, though Kevin was doing a good job and you can see he has a very active imagination and he uses it to get him out of many sticky situations. The package he got by mistake was supposed to be sent to the villain in this novel, Devin. The rest of the novel is full of Kevin's clever use of his imagination in escaping Devin and his armed men. Kevin is flanked by his best friend, Tony and later on by his sister, Betsy and the pizza delivery guy/boyfriend, Scratch and a surprising helping hand. Devin again, is flanked by armed professionals and a helicopter. But Kevin's imagination, friends, loving family and the Rocky Mountains prove to be a challenge for Devin.

This novel is fast paced with plenty of action, but enough dialogue to allow you to get to know the characters. Each of them fulfill a role in the world of Kevin including the evil Devin. Here is Del Shannon's explanation of each character's place in the novel "Kevin finds courage in the depths of his despair over the loss of his father. Tony is almost like the voice of Kevin's fear, constantly seeing the real dangers around him, even in the middle of Kevin's fantasies. Kevin's mother is a minor character now who will grow in other books (if they're written), but she represents unfailing, familial love. Kevin's father, also rarely seen now but who will become more important as the story progresses, is a magnetic north that their family steers by - even in death. Scratch represents the release of anxiety and carefree fun that we all are seeking in our lives. Betsy is both a sibling and a peer who may complain bitterly, but never leaves your side. She's a counterweight to the huge mass that is sometimes Kevin. Right now Devin is just the face of something sinister and evil, but we all know that there is something deeper and hidden from our sight and we should keep a cautious eye in it's direction. This evil will obviously grow and become something we don't expect. It's just wrapped around a - I hope - fun and entertaining story."

I truly loved this novel! But I couldn't just say that and you would believe me. So here are some things I find unique to this novel. It's written and appeals to MG boys. It has helicopters and guns and dangerous situations and a really cool gadget that boys love and some girls love, too. It hooks you right from the start. Two pages in and you're moving along. Kevin never breaks. Remember being a kid and thinking nothing would ever happen to you? You'd live forever? Well something has happened already to Kevin, his dad was killed. But he goes on using the skills he has to cope with it. At first glance you think he's ADHD, but you get a good look into his reasoning for his escape into his imagination. The author has one line that my son actually was reading to me and opened up a conversation between us that was so deep and sensitive, for both of us. For those of you who still read with your kids, you'll find that one sentence and when you do, I hope it helps you open up. Kevin always looks out for his family and friends. Kevin and his friends could be your own kids, there isn't anything extraordinary about him, and yet there is. He puts on a brave face about his dad's death. But they had plans. Plans he'll never get to do now and at twelve, he has to swallow a lot of dreams he'll never get to have. Devin is a scary man making no idle threats. He plans to kill Kevin and tells him, but Kevin never gives up. He's always looking for a way out. I cheered for him and his compatriots the whole way through and at the end I was astounded. Some things were revealed that I couldn't believe.

The novel is written in third person point of view, mainly from Kevin's perspective. Though the novel is almost four hundred pages long,(a little longer than this review) it does not read like that at all. Each chapter has a title page and a blank page before it. It is a self published novel, beautifully bound and not one spelling error or grammatical error that I could find. These usually glare out at me so if there were any they weren't obvious. There is no objectionable language, behavior or content. This novel is appropriate for anyone that can read and understand the content. I think boys who have a hard time finding reading material that they like will especially like this one. As I mentioned before, it's action packed, fast paced and easy to read. You can read as much or as little as you want into it. So far, it's my favorite book this year. And I named Kevin as one of my favorite male characters. He's not a kid you'd coddle, more like you'd want to hang out with.




Heather in Sandwich

[Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Good
Kevin's Point of View is not my typical read. But when Shannon contacted me to review his book, he presented it in such a way that I had to know what this book was about. And I can honestly tell you I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It has non-stop action, a great protagonist that you continuously cheer for, and a seriously evil bad guy that you can't help but yell out "Why won't you die?" every time he shows up to once again wreak havoc.

I was surprised how heartfelt some of this book was. Kevin has not been the same since his father died. The only way he can deal with the pain of his father's death is to retreat into a fantasy world where he has complete control of his surroundings and actions. A place where no emotions and real-world problems can find him. Surprisingly, Kevin's creative imagination becomes vital when Devin, the bad guy, stops at nothing to retrieve his Influxitron. The very item that was mailed to Kevin by mistake. Through the help of his family and friends, Kevin escapes Devin's reach time and time, but this frightening chase of cat and mouse is not simply a scary adventure. The Influxitron, the very thing Devin is after, has the power to change the future in a catastrophic way.

Kevin made this book. I literally cried from laughing so hard in just the first few chapters. Kevin's antics as Captain Disaster was down-right hilarious. How he created a fantastical world in his head and related it to the real world was pure genius. If for no other reason, I had to keep reading this book just to see what shenanigans Kevin got himself into next. And his friend Tony is the perfect contrast to Kevin. Tony is a realist, he can't hide from reality as Kevin so easily does. And so Tony is the constant worrier, though I can't blame him. If I had Devin and his lackeys trying to chase me down and kill me, I'd be freaking out like crazy. I think Tony's fear is what helps Kevin take charge of every situation. He has to be the brave one if they both want to get out of this situation alive.

I loved the fact that Betsy, Kevin's sister, and her boyfriend, Scratch, were caught up in the mix. Scratch, the pizza delivery boy, really made me smile every time he showed up. He had a way of making light of a dire situation to the point that I was in hysterics, even when the bad guys were winning. Scratch was the much needed comedic relief that helped me get through this book, even when I was tense with anxiety (which was all the time).

Devin is the perfect devious bad guy. I truly hated him from the start and wanted bad, bad things to happen to him. There is no redemption when it comes to Devin.

Shannon has somehow weaved together an adventurous and mysterious plot with a mosaic cast of characters that when brought together produces reader gold. How he could amp up the action with every turn of the page is beyond me. Reading this book is like being on a constant adrenaline high. And even through all the action and suspense, Shannon found a way to evoke emotions that even the most cold-hearted person could not deny.

And the ending. Can anyone say 'wow'? The conclusion of this nerve-wracking tale is nothing short of brilliant. How everything was wrapped up and explained had me walking away satisfied.

The Bad
Halfway through the book, when we have not only Kevin and Tony running for their lives, but Pudge, Betsy, and Scratch, too, I felt Kevin was put on the back burner. He was the character I came to love from the get-go so I wish the focus stayed on him throughout the novel.

Pudge was a little childish for me, especially since he was suppose to be an adult.

The Snuggly
This is a very clean book. Great for schools to carry.

Overall
I have to applaud Shannon on a job well done. I truly enjoyed reading Kevin's Point of View. I am so happy I decided to go outside of my comfort zone and read a book unlike my usual genres. And I want to thank Shannon for sending me a signed copy of his book. This was an expertly and cleverly written story that caught my interest and never let go.

Quotes
"What on earth possessed you to jump out the bathroom window without clothes on, Kevin?" she asked in her 'my-life-is-too-hard' voice. "What will our neighbors think? I'll tell you what they'll think. They'll think I let my children run around naked in the backyard before school because I'm two sandwiches short of a picnic. Then they'll cart me off to the asylum, which might not be that bad, because then I may actually get some time to myself."

~

"Have you ever noticed that the way you puke is unique?" Kevin offered after Tony's last gag.

"What?" Tony asked, not really believing Kevin would be asking such a stupid question right now.

"Well, you've been puking for the last few minutes and I couldn't help but notice that the way you hurl is kind of unique," Kevin continued. "It's your own personal thing. Like the way you write, or the way you walk. You can't hide the way you puke because it's the way you are."
http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy....

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin's Point of View was one of those strange books that grabbed me at the beginning and then confused me a little. I decided to hang in with the reading thinking it was my inability to focus due to intermittent reading while I tried to prepare for company. I'm glad I stuck with it. The books starts out with Kevin having a delusional moment. He's lost his father in the past year and is having an extremely hard time dealing with it. Counseling doesn't seem to help. Then we switch to a device called an Influxitron. Kevin has received this mysterious gift and doesn't know what it is or who it is from. The device is dangerous and suddenly Kevin and his best friend, his sister and her boyfriend all find themselves being pursued by someone who is evil. I will stop there because to try to explain anymore will give it away. I will tell you that I was totally blown away by the ending. The twists and turns this book took kept me reading and I did not expect the ending at all. For me it is a gift when an author can write so that you think one thing and then bam you are hit with something you weren't expecting. I was asked to read and review this e-book and I want to thank the author for allowing me the opportunity. It truly was an awesome book.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Twelve year old Kevin has a very active imagination, and it's his imagination that helps him deal with the death of his father, and keeps him and his friend Tony alive after their hair raising adventure. What I liked about Kevin is he can turn the most normal, every day and even boring thing into some sort of fun game. He becomes whatever character he can imagine, doing what every daring thing he thinks up. I couldn't help feeling sympathy for Kevin, he was doing the best he could in coping with his father's death and at times I think it was easier for him to lose himself in his made up characters.

Let me take a moment and introduce you to Kevin from my point of view. Kevin is just a normal kid who has an amazing imagination, which becomes his coping mechanism after the death of his father, who died prior to the start of the book. Kevin's adventures and real trouble starts when he receives an unknown package in the mail. Thinking that a relative sent it to Kevin, his mother hands it to him. What Kevin receives wasn't for him and the holder of the object, or Influxitron as it's known, has a power never before seen. Not only does this land Kevin and his friend Tony in danger, it also has the power to take Kevin back in time. I found Tony to be comical, since he's constantly Kevin's voice of reason. These two provided a few laugh out loud lines

Kevin's Point of View was a good, clean cut read. It's full of adventure, silliness, and has a great mystery that surprisingly I didn't see coming. I think I would have enjoyed Kevin's Point of View if my son was at the age targeted age to read this too. He's not quite there and I'm planning on reading it with him when he gets there. The only think I didn't like about Kevin is how extreme he can get with his crazy ideas, and I'm sure Tony would nod his head in agreement. lol I would recommend this to boys 10 & up. I think they would enjoy this fun story and getting to meet Kevin and Tony.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read the blurb for the book, I thought it would be a fun read. Then I saw that it was 400 pages and thought, oh crap. Anyone who knows me or reads my blog, knows that I like shorter books, between 200-250 pages, but lately all the books I’ve been reading have been 300 or more. But 400… I rarely read a book that long unless it’s author is my all time favorite, S.K., but I decided to give it a try since I loved the synopsis. I opened the cover and started reading, hoping I didn’t get bored and have to fight to finish it. I needn’t have worried. The book was wonderful.

Kevin lost his father about a year ago and is having a really hard time copping. He also has a really graphic imagination, and that causes him and friend Tony get into lots of trouble. Luckily, they have a nack for getting out of trouble too, also thanks to his imagination.

The book is filled with all kinds of characters. The good, the bad and the funny. LOL funny! There are also lots of white knuckle moments and surprises along the way. I really enjoyed the ending, and that makes a book more than worth reading.

I think the book has a very good storyline, and the characters make it joy to read. I think everyone would enjoy this book, but it would be an awesome read for younger readers, especially boys.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin's Point of View was a very different book from what a usually read. It was a little strange but absolutely wonderful at the same time! It was full of adventure, twists and turns and even humor.

Kevin's world changes when he loses his father. He deals by escaping into his own world and finding the courage to face danger. Then Kevin gets a gift from an unknown source called The Influxitron. The gift ends up bringing danger to Kevin, his sister and her boyfriend and Kevin's best friend. The ending was unexpected for me and I loved that it was so unpredictable!

Kevin was a great character. My son loved him! I liked the enemies, you know the ones that keep reappearing even after you think you have gotten rid of them? Yeah, I thought they were great!

I thought this book was fairly easy to follow and read and my 8 year old (who reads at a 5th grade level) seemed to have no problems following along. It was a clean read but packed with such adventure and excitement that you never get bored! I would tell my son "okay, one more chapter" and at the end of the chapter he would say "well, we can't just leave it like that. Read one more!" until I finally had to call it quits for the night. I loved that it kept his interest like that!

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hang on to your hat, fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride. Because this book takes you on adventure.

Kevin is the main character who is really a character. He escapes inside his mind to filter out reality when things are tough. One minute he is Kevin, the next he is Captain Disaster, the hero who finds a way out of a difficult descision. He started escaping into imagination when his father died the year before.

Now that the stage is set, a suprise package comes. It has been misaddressed and Kevin is the recipient. It contains a dangerous device called the influxitron. The evil man who is looking for the device comes looking for Kevin and his friends intent on killing them and taking the device.

At times the adventure seemed a bit too much, without much of a break in between. But kids will love it.

I received a copy from the author to review. He's trying to get the word out about his book, and I really hope I have helped. It is a good book. http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com

[Karielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin's Point of View by Del Shannon
Release Date: May 19th, 2011
Publisher: Flatiron View (self-published)
Page Count: 395
Source: Complimentary copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review

Kevin Tobin is a relatively ordinary 12-year-old dealing with the aftermath of his father's death in a mountain biking accident near their home in Boulder, Colorado. To escape from his emotional turmoil, Kevin has developed his imagination into a dangerous foil and a powerful ally. While he antagonizes his sister through his superhero antics on an average Wednesday morning, his ability to escape inside a character's head become critical to his survival after his life is once-again turned upside down a year after his father's death.

A mysterious package arrives in the mail, Kevin and his best friend are hunted down by a ruthless villain set upon world domination, and after enlisting Kevin's teenage sister and her pizza-delivery boyfriend in a battle for control over time itself, the secret of Kevin's whole existence is revealed to him by a source we never expected.

Del Shannon's imaginative story, appreciation for the powers of family and the desire of young boys to both escape reality and prove themselves within it, and fast-paced, adventure-filled storytelling style make this a book with wide appeal for readers of all ages.

What Stephanie Thinks: I breezed through this action-packed, humorous, yet in the end, compelling and completely satisfying novel and think that all readers, not just the middle-grade audience, will be able to enjoy it. Kevin's Point of View revolves around 12-year-old Kevin and his best friend, Tony, who by coincidence, or perhaps by fate, become involved in a lethal chase for the obscure, yet all-powerful Influxitron. They embark on a whirlwind of an adventure, aiming to both escape the villains after the strange device and ultimately, after Kevin and Tony's lives, as well as figure out how exactly it works and how it can help them.

The basis of the storyline is pretty morbid. Kevin, who's perfectly intelligent and competent a boy, has been plagued by hallucinations ever since the passing of his father a year ago. One might think he's just acting immaturely for his age, but we soon figure out why he zones out every once in a while, which shows just how deep and self-aware a character Kevin is.

When the power of time travel, the Influxitron, falls into his hands, he flirts with an idea, something he know can only remain an idea, but something he will, with the help of his imagination and friends, die trying to attempt. There's one catch though: someone else is after the Influxitron, and they just might be even more desperate than Kevin is... desperate enough to kill.

While a story that encompasses a sixth grader as a protagonist might be expected to target a younger audience (ages 7-11), I think a slightly older range of kids will enjoy this one too, thanks to Shannon's relatively sophisticated voice and the book's more mature themes, including the death of a parent, the line between mental illness and imagination, death threats, and some potentially frightening combat scenes. So I would recommend this maybe even to children up to the age of 13. Then there are readers like me (aka readers who will forever be children), who will appreciate Kevin's Point of View no matter the age restriction because of its fast pace and suspense, its subtle and often not-so-subtle humor, as well as its ultimately touching moral.

Even though I enjoyed this book, it's not one I personally can rave on and on about. For me, the reason it doesn't stick is because it lacks characterization. Kevin's mind is deeply probed, and he became a character I really liked, but the supporting characters, I would liked to have seen more from. Kevin's Point of View is a fun, fast read, with a vigor and rush that many children's books struggle to embrace, but all in all, it didn't have enough substance for me.

But is it a children's novel I suggest? Absolutely. Sit down with this one — you won't regret it! Another thing I love is the ending. Usually kiddie story happy endings can be annoying, a little too ideal, but this one was appropriate for its predicament. The little conflicts that are brought up in the midst of the book all tied together in the end perfectly, which is very creative and cunning on Shannon's part. If you or your child are looking for an easy, comical read about a troubled, but determined boy who gets mixed up in a wild journey in which he wreaks all sorts of havoc, but also finds his true calling, check out Kevin's Point of View; I guarantee you'll be in for a thrill.

Stephanie Loves: "'Give me the gun,' Kennedy demanded. 'You couldn't hit water if you fell out of a boat.'" — LOL

Radical Rating: 8 hearts - An engaging read; highly recommended.

[Aeicha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

When author Del Shannon approached me to review his book, I was immediately drawn to the book’s synopsis. Kevin’s imagination filled world and aching grief pulled at my heart and I just knew this would be a story worth reading. And I was right. Kevin’s Point of View is a fun, fast paced, exciting story with a lot of imagination and a lot of heart.

Kevin Tobin lost his father a year ago, and deals with his pain, anger, and loss by escaping to a fantasy world where he becomes a myriad of heroes. These fantasies are very real to Kevin and have begun to disrupt his and his family’s life. But Kevin’s biggest adventure doesn’t happen inside his imagination, but in his real life. Upon receiving a mysterious device by mistake in the mail, Kevin and his best friend Tony find themselves pursed by a ruthless bad guy and embark on a thrilling and surprising adventure. And along the way Kevin must finally face the loss of his father.

This book is so many things. It’s a face paced, action packed adventure. It’s an imaginative and creative fantasy with sci-fi elements. And, it’s an honest and sensitive emotional look at a young boy’s grief. Together, these three facets blend and intertwine producing a really fun, delightful and touching read.

Kevin is one of those characters that you just can’t help but like. He’s funny, clever, incredibly imaginative, and honestly observant. He is also very self aware. He knows that he isn’t dealing with his father’s death very well and understands that his imaginative escape isn’t real, and he isn’t ashamed to admit these truths. The effects of his father’s death are palpable, and Kevin’s pain and longing jumped off the page and straight into my heart. I found myself wanting to reach right back through the pages and hug him. But at the same time, I found myself enjoying his fantasies immensely. The way he could change from being simply Kevin to being Captain Disaster or Marine Boy or some other character so quickly and effectively was spellbinding to read.

Tony is a great sidekick of sorts; he’s sarcastically funny, a little dramatic, but very loyal. The friendship between these two young boys feels genuine and realistic. They squabble and snap at each other, but at the end of they day they have each other’s backs. I really loved the way they interacted with one another. The main baddie, Devin, is perfectly villainous. He adds a great spark of danger and darkness.

The adventure Kevin and Tony embark on is full of thrilling excitement and gasp worthy surprises. Along the way, Shannon fills this journey with laugh out loud exchanges between Kevin and Tony, intense moments of peril, and a few touching confessions. I was completely and easily swept away into this adventure and found myself quickly turning pages, breathless to see what happened next…and something unexpected or exciting always happened next.

The other journey in this book, the emotional one, was obviously written with a great deal of care, thought, and subtlety. And Kevin’s pain isn’t the only pain explored. Shannon weaves the emotional pain of other characters-Mrs. Tobin, Betsy Tobin, and even the villain Devin-carefully and delicately throughout the book.

The idea of the mysterious device, the Influxitron, a unique time machine of sorts, is brilliant and highly original. The significance that this time machine has for so many characters is incredibly moving and insightful.

The ending of this book took me on quite the ride…a very literal ride too! There were some fun and jaw dropping twists and turns that simply delighted and me.

I also want to briefly mention the design of the paperback because it’s really adorable. The cover is hilarious and depicts one of the funniest scenes in the book. I also really loved all the adorable doodles throughout the book; they gave the book a real whimsical feel.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: This book is awesome! Kevin’s Point of View is a really fun, witty, engaging read that left me both happy and thoughtful. It has plenty of thrills, action, and humor that will have readers of all ages captivated and never bored. This is definitely a book that is worth reading and sharing.

READ THE ORIGINAL AND COMPLETE REVIEW(AND MANY OTHERS)AT Word Spelunking

[guiltlessreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read! Great twist at the end ... highly recommended for middle school kids and everyone alike :) Full review coming soon!
----------
Originally posted on my blog guiltlessreading:

Imagination can move mountains ... and the things that matter.

An adventure-science fiction book that will definitely appeal to middle school children! While I think it's perfectly written for its intended readers, I have to say right off that this would definitely appeal to a wider age group.

The premise of this book is bittersweet. To escape the pain of his father's death, Kevin Tobin switches from ordinary 12-year-old to a cool superhero to deal with his life, making for some alternately normal to hilarious and crazy antics. No, he's not schizophrenic, but I sure was feeling it after several chapters.


I got hooked in when the strange package mistakenly arrived on Kevin's doorstep. Opening it up, he comes upon a strange device labelled "Influxitron." What follows is a rip-roaring adventure as Kevin and the Influxitron are pursued by the intended recipient of the package, a man bent on world domination!

An adventure lover's book through and through, the action is fast-paced, even exhausting, and at one point I was getting exasperated that the baddies just wouldn't die!

I hate to spoil this for anyone, so I won't go too much into the plot of this one. Let's just say that there is time travel involved and while the beginning revolved around the chase, you have a heartwarming surprise towards the end where you will understand Kevin, his family, and their family life so much better. This is what made the book extra-special in my mind - so be patient with the book, it will definitely deliver!

♥♥♥

One thing I really liked about this book is the characters and how likeable and realistic they are. Kevin is so much fun and his resourcefulness, his spunk and his eccentric imagination pulls him through one danger after another. Tony, Kevin's best friend, is a sober sidekick in comparison, but his smart, easygoing dynamic and his conversations with Kevin will get you laughing and thinking "boys will be boys!" For example:

[...] "but at least we can control our own density down here."

"Density? That's like the weight of something, Kev. You know, like metal has a big density. Don't you mean dystrophy?" ... offered Tony.

"Dystrophy? That's a disease, Tony," scolded Kevin.

"A disease sounds pretty good right now, Kev. [...] and why don't you go ahead and pick a really nasty disease to, like that eboboli virus they get in Africa."

"Isn't that a frozen pizza?" Kevin asked.

Ok, parent, snicker away ... But I am betting that any 12-year-old will look up the words density, dystrophy and Google "eboboli virus" after reading that! Yes, the talk is child-like but there is no "talking down" to the kids or a dumbing down of their conversations -- Del Shannon knows the minds of young boys!

I also grew to love Pudge, bad guy turned good; Betsy, Kevin's older sister and Scratch, her rather crazed pizza delivery boyfriend. All characters are eccentric in their own way, which keeps them interesting to say the least. I think the secret to their likeability is that you know that they're good people deep down.

Oh, and a note about the illustrations - I really enjoyed the feeling that I had stumbled upon Kevin's own doodlings in his notebook!

Verdict: A smart, well-written sci-fi adventure that your 11 or 12 year-old (and you) will love! Kevin's Point of View will capture your imaginations ... and get you talking with your child about the value of family.

Read my Friday 56 for Kevin's Point of View:
http://guiltlessreading.blogspot.com/...

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Kevin’s Point of View
Author: Del Shannon

Book Summary:

“Kevin Tobin is a relatively ordinary 12-year-old dealing with the aftermath of his father's death in a mountain biking accident near their home in Boulder, Colorado. To escape from his emotional turmoil, Kevin has developed his imagination into a dangerous foil and a powerful ally. While he antagonizes his sister through his superhero antics on an average Wednesday morning, his ability to escape inside a character's head become critical to his survival after his life is once-again turned upside down a year after his father's death. A mysterious package arrives in the mail, Kevin and his best friend are hunted down by a ruthless villain set upon world domination, and after enlisting Kevin's teenage sister and her pizza-delivery boyfriend in a battle for control over time itself, the secret of Kevin's whole existence is revealed to him by a source we never expected. Del Shannon's imaginative story, appreciation for the powers of family and the desire of young boys to both escape reality and prove themselves within it, and fast-paced, adventure-filled storytelling style make this a book with wide appeal for readers of all ages.”

I like to think of myself as a creative person… but even I have nothing on Kevin Tobin and his seemingly infinite store of creativity. Kevin is a young boy who deals with the death of his father in a very unique way… he pretends to be someone else. These little pretend sessions of Kevin’s are not typically dangerous, and everyone assumes he will grow out of them. His many personas provide Kevin a hiatus from his life for a brief time and, more than once, these “alter egos” help him and his friends out of sticky situations. Don’t be fooled however; the “alter egos” also get Kevin into many difficult situations, especially with his mother!

When I first read the premise for Kevin’s Point of View I’m not really sure what to expect. It looks like an interesting plot, but I worry it will be too childish of a writing style for my taste. Luckily, my fears turn out to be unnecessary. The one thing that really grabs me when I see Kevin’s Point of View is the cover… it is HYSTERICAL. I love it. The cover is made even better when a naked Kevin mimics the picture in the first couple of chapters!

When I first start to read, I am instantly pulled into the story. The description Shannon puts into it is amazing, and I can fully envision everything that is happening. I instantly feel like part of Kevin’s family, and I understand Kevin’s mischievous nature and his pride in annoying his sister. At the same time, I can connect with both his sister, Betsy, and his mother in both their roles. Kevin annoys Betsy with his antics and, like all good big sisters, she is very vocal with her frustrations. Kevin’s mother is obviously trying to be patient with Kevin and his unique way of dealing with grief. I really feel like I know all of them, as if we’ve been friends for ages!

Tony is Kevin’s best friend and fellow (reluctant) adventurer. I can really see the push and pull of Tony and Kevin’s relationship… it’s easy to see how these two young boys are so close. I do admire Tony’s high tolerance of Kevin. It makes me happy that Kevin has someone who cares enough to stick by him through everything. Kevin himself is so unique; I really don’t think I can capture his character accurately enough to do him justice.

The Cover:

Well, as I said before, I find this cover HYSTERICAL. Seriously, anyone not finding this artwork funny must be crazy! But, even if the cover isn’t for everyone (for whatever reason) I would definitely recommend reading the book anyway!

I give Kevin’s Point of View 5 out of 5 hearts: I LOVED it!

[Greta is Erikasbuddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

*this book was read and reviewed by Greta’s son, Mickey


The Plot
In the book, Kevin’s Point of View, Kevin is being chased around Colorado and through time itself by a man named Devin. It began when Kevin got a package and inside was the device called the influxitron that allows people to go through time. Kevin doesn’t know how to work the influxitron so Kevin can’t make his own mission any easier to get away from Devin. Devin’s mission is to kill Kevin and anything that stands in his way to get the influxitron back. Kevin and his best friend, Tony, have to find their way back to their home town of Boulder, Colorado and get to the police but before they reach Boulder Kevin is sent back in time and has a new mission. Kevin is sent back in time to the day of his own father’s death. Once Kevin finishes his mission he is sent forward in time to the day he is sent back to present day and figures out something about his past that he never knew about.


Q & A with Greta and Mickey

Did you enjoy this book?
The first chapter was slow but I did enjoy the rest of the book.

Would you recommend this book to any of your friends?
No, because I don’t think they would like it.

Why is that?
My friends wouldn’t like to read a book about a 12 year old kid.

What would they rather read about?
Girls would rather read Twilight and boys would rather read Eragon. But I would rather read Harry Potter over this book.

How old do you think a kid would have to be to enjoy this book?
It depends, is someone reading it to them?

Sure.
Ummm… I would say about 8 years old.

And what about reading it on their own? How old do you think they should be?
About 10 or 11 years old.

Were there any funny parts in this book?
No

Why not?
It’s too serious.

Do you think the author was trying to make it too serious or was he failing at being funny?
I think he was failing at being funny.

As a 14 year old boy, could you relate to any of the characters?
No.

Did they act like kids or did they act more like adults?
More like kids

Did they act like a 12 year old?
No

What did they act like?
They acted like 7 year olds. 12 year olds don’t use their imagination that much.

What do they do?
Sports or Band

Not video games?
They do play video games.

Ok… I was wondering because that’s what you did when you were 12. What is this thing called band you speak of?

Do you think a girl would enjoy this book more?
No

Why?
Too many boys.

Mickey… that’s pretty sexist of you…..
Well, it’s true.

Well, Mickey, thank you for taking the time to review this book for Paranormal Wastelands.
Who’s Paranormal Wastelands?
Are you kidding me? That’s the blog I help run. Where have you been?

Well?

Mickey just left folks… Apparently blogs bore him, too.

I'd also like to thank Del Shannon for giving us a copy to review. I hope Mickey's review doesn't discourage you lolz. He can be a hard customer, sometimes. I haven't a clue where he got his pickiness from ;)

[Emi · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the full review, please visit my blog! http://oktopusink.blogspot.com/2011/0...

Kevin's Point of View was a strange book. Yes, a strange--but humorous--book that grabbed my attention right from page one. Shannon did a wonderful job capturing the personality and imagination of a twelve-year-old, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Kevin's mind switch from reality to role-playing mode as he battled the bad guys throughout this story. Watching him escape his troubles by retreating into his imagination took me back to my own days as a twelve-year-old, playing Pretend on the playground with my friends...except that when we did it, our lives weren't in danger. (We liked to pretend that we were Pokémon trainers training to defeat the Elite Four.) It was cool to see that whenever Kevin started to play pretend, he managed to find the courage to face whatever danger lay before him. Eccentric characters are always fun to read about, but they're even better when they use their unusual quirks to accomplish great feats. It's the kind of thing you hope to admire in a person, fictional or not. And boy, it's a good thing that Kevin had a way to handle all of the crazy that was buzzing about him, because Kevin's Point of View was one of those stories that just continued to get more and more outrageous as the plot went on--like each chapter was trying to outdo itself. It was just a roller coaster of crazy event after crazy event, and it was hard to stop myself from yelling things like, "WHY WON'T YOU DIE?!" at the book when the bad guys managed to show up yet again after falling off of a train or getting crushed by an avalanche. It was actually, really, really funny. The only beef I had with Kevin's Point of View was that even though the book begins with Kevin as the main character, towards the end it splits and becomes more about the group of characters that Kevin hooks up with. This wasn't a big deal since each character contributed to the ending in his or her own way, but since I grew so attached to Kevin's imagination in the first half of the book I wanted to see him use more of it to be the hero in the end.

In a way, the style of this story reminded me of The 39 Clues series, both in tone and structure. The sci-fi element in this book is light and fairly easy to understand, even though some sequences of events were confusing. However, Shannon manages to pull it all together at the end with a well-constructed plot twist. The fast-paced, cliffhanger like chapters will encourage even the most reluctant readers to keep reading, and the bizarre events will have everyone laughing about something. All-in-all, Kevin's Point of View was just plain old, good clean fun with something new on every page. A goofy read for all ages!

[P.E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kevin's Point of View was a really imaginative read unlike anything I've read in a long time. Unfortunately, I didn't really feel like I was the right audience for the book and because of that it didn't work for me. However, I think this is just the read a bunch of younger boys I know of would enjoy, and I'll pass it along to them.

Kevin's Point of View is about a normal 12 year old boy with a heck of an imagination. Ever since his dad died, Kevin can retreat his mind to somewhere else if he doesn't like what's happening in the present. It's hard to explain, except that Kevin gets into a lot of trouble for it. Whenever Kevin isn't being, well, Kevin, the writing was italicized and I enjoyed watching how Del Shannon connected Kevin's imagination with real life. You really start to feel for Kevin. Under his annoying, 12 year old boy exterior, he's just another kid that misses his dad.

Some of my favorite part is when Kevin and Tony, Kevin's best friend and side kick, would talk about things they don't know. They'd mix up words and they were probably uncertain a lot but they had that arrogance that kids have and they'd go around thinking they're right. It was something I'd do all the time when I was younger so I could relate to it and I thought it was realistically done. Except, sometimes Kevin seemed really smart for his age and other times very immature. Like he uses words like "inherent" but doesn't know hypothermia? That puzzles me, but I guess since I'm Canadian we hear more about hypothermia than Kevin who lives in Colorado does!

The plot is really fast paced and fun. The Influxitron is a device that looks like a remote control but is really a time traveling machine. Something is always happening in this book, which I appreciate and I know other kids will too.

The presentation of this book is incredible. It looks professional, the cover had my little sister laughing and wanting to read the book even though she doesn't know how to read yet. The doodles inside the book were cute and I loved trying to guess how relevant they were to the chapter. Also, since each chapter was separated by a chapter page and sometimes a blank page or two, this book is perfect to read in small doses which is what younger readers will probably do. The book itself is long at about 400 pages but it's formatted and written in a way that makes it feel much shorter.

There was a lot of good to this book and I definitely recommend it. Even if I couldn't get into the story because it wasn't really the kind I like (some parts fell into place much too easily, some characters felt way overdone and lacking depth) I can see how others probably will enjoy it. Especially if you're a boy around 8 and up. 3 stars,

***

[Lyrical · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a woman in her twenties, I have to confess I'm a real sucker for a middle grade male-oriented action adventure. But I need to be more specific: I like middle grade male-oriented action adventure that has depth and doesn't patronise the reader and it is without doubt that Kevin's Point of View fits very comfortably into that category.

I found the lead character, Kevin, immediately both intriguing and engaging. He is a boy who lives in his imagination, blocking out reality by immersing himself into scenes from superhero cartoons to the point where he no longer engages with reality. Del Shannon is expert at losing his character in his mind and nurtures the reader into empathising with his hero - he's troubled but he's courageous and determined to fix both himself and his family, whatever it takes. As for the baddy - whom I judge very harshly as they are always important to me! - Del's has to be one of the better written ones, a real ruthless, looming threat that gets your skin crawling and your jaw clenching through narrow escapes.

The story itself is cleverly wrought. You begin the book as if someone has just scattered all the pieces of the puzzle in front of you and with each turn of the page you can fit another piece back into place. Mystery is key to this plot and Del Shannon is skilful at creating it, knitting it in comfortably with substantial action sequences. In fact, once the action gets going, there are not many places to pause and take a breath. In some cases this can be a bad thing: maintaining a high level of action and adrenaline leads to blocking out the natural curvy line of highs and lows in a plot that bring dynamics to the story, moments of external threat mixed in with moments of internal reflection. I think what Del Shannon has done, however, is wrap all these moments up, creating strong dynamics within a high adrenaline environment. This is what gets me excited about well written books for boys - how the author goes about sustaining interest in the reader while also putting them through a spectrum of emotions and begging them to form an opinion. Kevin's Point of View is full of those little lightbulb moments when amidst the action realisation dawns and you figure out what's going on - and then it doesn't happen quite how you expected and when it does you're on the edge of your seat. Gasp, gasp, gasp.

This is definitely one of the better MG boys books I've read, it's thoroughly engaging, has plenty of high adrenaline action but yet contains a clever, well-constructed story with characters of great emotional depth. Boys will love it and as a twenty something year old woman, I have to say I love it too.

[Kelly Brocklehurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting there to be so much action in Kevin's Point of View, but it turns out it's a fantastic adventure story with great characters, an interesting plot, and a psychological aspect that I found fascinating.

I was sucked in from page one. Kevin's Point of View is one of those books I just couldn't stop reading. I had to know what was going to happen next. There's a lot happening in the book, but Del Shannon weaves it all together wonderfully. I love how he handled Kevin's issue of daydreaming with humor while still showing the serious side of it. There was a huge psychological aspect to Kevin's daydreaming, and I loved it. I love psychology, so I enjoyed seeing how Kevin was affected by loss and what his coping mechanisms were, especially when it was such an interesting coping mechanism. I'm also glad that he didn't have a coping mechanism that wasn't explained. There's a point in the story when Kevin explains to Tony why he daydreams the way he does, and that was one of the best parts of the story for me, because we found out the reason for his daydreaming directly from Kevin.

The characters in Kevin's Point of View are awesome. They're so unique and so much fun. My favorite character was Scratch. He cracked me up. Sometimes, he came off as a little stereotypical, but I was too busy laughing to care. I also loved the relationships the characters had with each other. The sibling rivalry with Kevin and his sister throughout much of the novel was fantastic. The fact that they do care about and love each other was also fantastic. Tony bugged me sometimes, when he got fed up with Kevin and said he was done and then ended up going with Kevin anyway, which he did a lot, but in the end, Tony and Kevin were there for each other no matter what, and I liked that part of their friendship.

I wasn't sure I would like all the action in the story, but I did. It's well-paced, and it's never dull. There were moments that had me on the edge of my seat, especially near the end of the novel. I'm not going to give away the ending, but OH MY GOSH. I loved it. At one point, I thought I knew how it was going to end, and I thought it was a little predictable, but I turned out to be completely wrong, and I'm so glad I was. The actual ending was so much better than what I thought it was going to be.

Kevin's Point of View is an excellent debut. 400 pages seems like a lot, but it's a quick, great read. I enjoyed every word of it.

[Courtney (Fuzzy.Coffee.Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I Liked: 1) The plot. This story was quite a bit deeper than what I was initially expecting. There is an interesting psychology behind the reason Kevin is the way he is, and the way his family and friends act around him. While I view this book as a middle grade chapter book, that's something that will strike older readers and keep them flipping pages. 2) Kevin and Tony's friendship. It's an interesting insight into the relationships of guys. Of course, these are 12 year old guys, but I imagine the basics stay the same. Common enemy + adventure + something with buttons? Besties! Haha, that was a lot of fun. 3) The surprises. This book is positively rife with surprises for the reader to stumble upon and enjoy. There is so much going on outside of the brief summary you get from Goodreads or the back of the book, and I don't want to give any of it away, but there is some really exciting things for everyone to enjoy. 4) I can totally relate to Kevin on the whole, escaping inside his head thing. I think that I do that too sometimes. I love putting myself right in a really good book instead of dealing with some of the other things going on in the real world.

What I Didn't Like: Okay, I was never as creative as Kevin and his friends, and there are some things in this book that are outside the realm of my imagination. If you colored my imagination, I think it would probably be pink, a little turquoise and sparkly. If I was going to color Kevin's imagination, it would have a much wider color spectrum, and be vivid primary colors. None of this is a bad thing, but there are some parts of the book that I regarded as uniquely male, and I didn't really gel with those things. I was never a superheros girl, more a princess and Care Bears kinda girl (though I did love me some Ninja Turtles!). So I had a hard time focusing on those parts, the time that Kevin was escaping inside his head. I chose instead to focus on the reason he was, rather than what he was thinking about. <--total personal problem. Not a problem with the writing or story at all.

Overall thoughts: Creative and action-packed, Kevin's Point of View is a fun peak into the mind of a 12-year old boy as he tries to deal with a heavy loss. Throw in some superhero instincts and a little sci-fi, and you've got this fantastical middle grade novel. Boys and girls alike will find something entertaining as they get caught up in Kevin's imagination.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin Tobin is your average 12-year-old. He goes to school, harasses his sister and is always causing trouble with his best friend, Tony. Unfortunately, Kevin's father passed away a year earlier in a terrible accident. Since then, Kevin has been getting into far more trouble, especially when he escapes to his imagination and dreams that he is someone else. Almost a year after his father died, Kevin receives a strange package in the mail. When he and Tony start messing around with it, they realize it must be something very dangerous and important. So important, in fact, that it's owner will stop at nothing to get it back. Once they have been discovered to have the object, they are running for their lives.

This book was nothing that I thought it was going to be. I thought it was going to be a quick story about a young boy who uses daydreams to escape his father's death. While that was part of it, there was so much more! Between the covers you find an incredible journey for Kevin, both physical and emotional. Not to mention the non-stop action!

I read the first chapter of Kevin's Point of View while hanging out with my kids at the park. Good thing I stopped when I did because when I sat back down to read more at home I couldn't put it down! I ended up finishing it in one sitting. Kevin was such a likable character. A little crazy, but still hilarious and endearing. I loved his imagination, it reminded me of my own kids and the weird things they come up with. When things start to get tough, Kevin retreats into his imagination and a different character will emerge, each one having it's own take charge personality.

Besides Kevin, the rest of the characters are equally entertaining. I especially enjoyed Scratch the pizza dude. I couldn't stop imagining him to sound like Keanu Reeves in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Each character brings a certain quality to the story, even the bad guys!

Most of the story takes place in the mountains and Shannon really gives you a great description of them. Not incredibly descriptive and drawn out, but all you need to imagine the surroundings for yourself. I could picture each scene in my mind clearly.

This book really blew me away. It was funny, yet intense, and incredibly well written with some surprising twists and turns that you don't expect. Not to mention the fun cover! Go get yourself a copy of Kevin's Point of View and start reading. You won't be disappointed!!!

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it's been a longtime since you've sat down to read a really fun adventure “Kevin's Point of View” will give you the rush you've been looking for. Not only will you flip through the pages eagerly, you will enjoy the experience through the eyes of a twelve-year-old boy. With an imagination the size of a skyscraper, Kevin will bring you into his world of superheroes and avengers.

Kevin Tobin and his best friend Tony DiViette are not strangers to trouble. Kevin's mother is completely exhausted from Kevin's vivid imagination and shenanigans. Kevin's daydreams have helped him escape since the death of his father, he has had a hard time coping. As a result of the trouble Kevin gets Tony into, Mrs. DiViette has restricted Tony from hanging out with Kevin because he always seems to get hurt. In this latest adventure the two boys meet with danger yet again.

This time the danger is real for Kevin and Tony. It all started on a rainy day involving a package that William “Pudge” Lovejoy was supposed to mail to Devin Talon. You see, Devin and Pudge had spent many months working on a device that would allow a person to travel through time. The device, no bigger than a television remote control, had a few bugs that needed to be worked out. It was Pudge who decided to mail it back to Devin, after he took it away because of the danger. Unfortunately, the rain soaked package soon caused the address to bleed away resulting in the delivery ending up at the doorstep of Kevin.

The adventure begins with the boys discovery of the devices dangerous qualities and the hunt that Devin brings on attempting to get his precious device, the Influxitron, back. Devin's men, dressed in black, hunt the kids through the mountains and into a mine. Kevin and Tony use their wits and superhero stunts to out run them for the time being. Will Kevin and Tony survive the stormy weather, mountains and mines? Will the boys get help with their own rescue? You'll have to read this wonderful tale to find out.

This exciting adventure is an excellent choice for reluctant middle grade readers and adults. Shannon has done an excellent job of providing vivid imagery, expressive emotion and a point-of-view that will have you holding your breath and cheering for Kevin and Tony.

[Alysia · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, this is my first ever book from an author for review! Ok, now for the review.
I can't remember the last time I read an adventure book. This book reminds me of the Classic movie "The Goonies". I was a little reluctant to read it and I have no real reason why, but when I did I jumped into the 12-year old mind of a boy named Kevin and his BFF Tony.
At first, I was a little confused as what was going on. Kevin takes the reader (me) on his personal adventure and lived them out in the presence of his big sister and mom. Like most mom's now a days she has tried everything to help him through losing his father and is worn down. She is letting him live them all out as long as he doesn't hurt himself (or anyone else).
Kevin and his sidekick Tony have been in and out of trouble (needless to say) so when a mysterious package shows up on Kevin's doorstep...here comes more trouble. Real Trouble!
As I was reading this book I felt for a 12 years old Kevin was very in touch with his reasoning, feelings, and honest with Tony about the lost of his Dad. The characters whether big or small all helped move the story along at a break neck pace that keeps you flipping the page. Del Shannon (author) wrote Kevin, Toby, Betsy (Kevin's Sister) and her boyfriend, Scratch so clearly that you can picture them and you feel like you know them personally. I would have loved to see more of Kevin's mom and had her input on the craziness going on.
At first I was on the fence about giving this top honors or the next one down and here is why. I have a hard time with kids and violence. Violence in all forms. The bad guys are trying to kill Kevin and Tony. Not Bully! Not Scare! But kill. And the boys are on the run for their lives in a real way. But then I thought about it. Hunger Games, Sunday morning cartoons, and most Children shows have violence in them now. And kids hear and see it more and more. The movie Goonies and Home Alone had a bad guy trying to kill them too. So after much thought on this I am saying to you all...I Loved This Book! From Chapter to Chapter, page to page this book is great!

[Naj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe it took me so long to pick up this book. Kevin's Point of View overstepped my expectations and simply blew me away. This is one book I will surely read to my kid brother, my son and even my future husband (who is in-touch with his inner child).

Kevin's Point of View is about Kevin, a very creative 12-year-old boy who's father recently passed away. Because of the pain and hardships he faced during the time of his fathers death. Kevin develops an imaginary way to overcome them. He some how turns himself and everyone around him into cartoon and fictional characters to get through hardships and literal bumps in the road. Now, all that sounds pretty dramatic and serious but it isn't what it sounds like. This book is full of fun and adventures which all starts when Kevin is sent a mysterious package that takes him on that roller coaster ride of adventures.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing style of Del Shannon was so smooth and straight to the point, it's hard not to enjoy a book this free flowing. The characters in the book are all great. My favorite would be the down-to-earth pizza dude, Scratch. Who made me laugh so many times I couldn't help but declare him my favorite.

The plot of the book had so much depth, it actually surprised me. To be honest, when I started reading this book, I didn't remember what Kevin's point of view was really about (aside from the fact that Kevin was the protagonist). So yet again, I blindly went through the book thinking that it was a compilation of different types of adventures Kevin has gone through. But it's not. It is one BIG adventure that began roughly and full of excitement and ended with tears and happy endings.

Kevin's Point of View blew me away with its originality, vibrance and fun. An awesome book great for kids, pre-teens, young adults and everyone else who'd like to go embark on a cute adventure with Kevin and his best bud, Tony.

[Kristan (Lost Amongst the Shelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://lostamongsttheshelves.blogspot...

Kevin's Point of View is a hilariously fun and adventurous ride into the wild imagination of a 12 year old boy. After the death of his father, Kevin begins to unleash his imagination, taking over the life of Captain Disaster or Marine Boy, covering the pain and allowing all sorts of comical madness to ensue. When one day he accidentally receives an unknown package in the mail carrying the Influxitron (a time machine) Kevin becomes the prey of an evil madman hell-bent on getting it back.

This book is one continuous adventure that'll keep you addicted to the very end. Kevin is a spunky and spontaneous preteen with a knack for getting him and his best friend and loyal sidekick, Tony, into loads of trouble. From escaping the clutches of doctors on a gurney, to outrunning the evil Devin in the canyon, survivng a deadly mine shaft fall, and cliff jumping onto coal trains, these boys were constantly toeing the edge of disaster. And while only being 12 years old, these scenes still felt completely realistic to the reader, partly due to the hilarious banter between the boys. Some of their dialogue, such as the meaining of hypodermic, will make you laugh out loud.

Although geared toward a younger reader, Kevin's Point of View can be enjoyed by everyone. I was pleasantly surprised with how invested and satisfied I was with this story. The plot is well written so that there aren't and dragging or unnecessary moments and the diaglogue is witty and fun. Its heart pumping action from start to finish and will leave you rooting for Kevin Tobin all the way. All of the characters, from Keving and Tony, to Scratch the comic relief and Devin the evil mastermind jump of the pages they are so well developed. I could honestly see this being the next Diary of a Wimpy Kid blockbuster for young boys and would wholeheartedly recommend the older audience to see it as well.

[Reading Vacation · Rating 3 out of 5]

After his father’s death, Kevin allows his very active imagination to take over. He can take the most ordinary situation and turn it into something extraordinary. Kevin imagines that he is a superhero, a hockey player, a character called Marine Boy, and even an alien. It’s exactly the sort of thing I picture my little brother doing – pretending he is Super Mario or Pikachu from Pokemon. Kevin's craziness got on my nerves a bit sometimes because it was like he just couldn't be himself.

Kevin’s adventures really take off when a strange contraption called an Influxitron is delivered to his home. The Influxitron makes time travel possible. Cool. I was expecting Kevin and his friend Tony to have fun traveling to some exciting times in the past – maybe the dinosaur age or a war that boys would find exciting. And I REALLY expected them to travel into the future to see all the great new inventions.

But no, they decide to go back in time only one year to just before Kevin’s father died. Yes, it was sentimental and I suppose that it makes sense that Kevin would want to see his father alive again. I just couldn’t let go of wanting the boys to go on a wild time travel adventure.

The mystery of where the Influxitron came from and who it was really meant for was very well thought out. I really was surprised when Kevin solved the mystery. There’s no way I would have guessed the outcome and I like being surprised like that.

I think that perhaps this is a story that a middle grade boy may enjoy more. Hey, it’s not called Kevin’s Point of View for nothing.

RATING

3 So-So

COVER COMMENTS

My little brother who is nearly nine years old thought this cover was the best cover ever in the history of covers. Exactly as I expected – this book appeals to young boys with active imaginations like Kevin.

[Van (Short & Sweet Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin’s point of view is the first full length novel from author Del Shannon. Kevin is a 12-year-old boy who escapes into his imagination after the death of his father. Kevin’s role-playing is his coping mechanism but his family and his friend don’t understand it and find it to be a constant annoyance. One morning Kevin receives a mysterious package by mistake, within the package lays the influxitron. The original owner of the influxitron, Devin, will stop at nothing to get it back. Kevin will need the help of his friend, family and his imagination to be one step ahead of Devin and his goons.

Kevin’s Point of View is a book that would appeal to people of all ages, but I think the young/middle school audience would enjoy it more. The story picked up quickly within the first 3-4 chapters and had me breezing through its 400 pages. When I first started the book, it reminded me of Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson with the character’s wild imagination. Kevin transports himself to another world and imagines himself as someone else. These scenes are usually sprinkled here and there throughout the book. I truly enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, I was sucked in to the story as Kevin and Tony outwit Devin and his goon buddies. The book took a lot of different turns of event that surprised me, and left me wondering what will happen next. The ending of the book totally caught me off guard, and I definitely didn’t expect “that” to happen (Would have to read the book to know what I’m talking aboutJ). Although there are 400 pages, the chapters are really short and easy to read. There are also cute little pictures depicting little scenes throughout the book. Overall a great read, if you’re looking for a fun-whacky adventure and a light read order Kevin’s Point of View today!

[manda-rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was too cute. Even though it's set in the 'real-world', I'm labeling it as fantasy because it definitely has some fantasy aspects. The book starts with a running start right into the story, and you get a feel for Kevin almost immediately. He's just your typical almost-teenager boy who likes to torment his sister and mother. And he also has an imagination he uses to escape from difficult situations. And who can blame him? I don't know what it feels like to lose a parent...

So what's in this book besides a lot of imagination? Well, there's action and a lot of humor. There were a lot of moments where I could empathize with Betsy, Kevin's older sister, because I had a younger brother who used to torment me in the same ways Kevin tormented Betsy. But even through the adventure that weaves through this book, we see a lot of human emotions like grief, love, bravery, etc. And as the story unfolds, we find out that pretty much everything you've been introduced to is connected one way or another.

Who would I recommend this book to? Anyone looking for a change of pace. If you're looking for a humorous story that'll touch your heart, then grab this one. I'd definitely hand this one to my sister and brother (in the tween age) to read.

Quote from the book that I absolutely loved (parts removed are denoted with "..."):
"Kevin?" his mother called from the living room. "I'm going to the store to pick up a few groceries... ...I'll be back in a few hours. Do you want anything?"...
...He scowled as he yelled, "Wire cutters, three sticks of dynamite, glow-in-the-dark paint, a hard hat, and something you can put in coffee to make someone think all your homework answers are right."
Mrs Tobin sighed. "I'll just get you some granola bars."
--Kevin's Point of View, pp. 49-50

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know exactly where to start with 'Kevin's Point of View.' There were so many great things about it! I loved the story! It was cute and light but it still had depth and was completely engaging. From the first few pages you are sucked into Kevin's world and you get stuck there. I just wanted to keep reading because it was such an amazing story.

My favorite character in the story, hands down, is Kevin. I loved that you actually get to see his immaturity and how unpredictable he is. I found myself laughing as he would transform into "Captain Disaster!" Another character that I particularly liked in 'Kevin's Point of View' was the bad guy, Devin. He is completely relentless. He knows what he wants and he does NOT hold back when he goes after it. We get to really see how deranged and psychotic Devin really is when one of his first interactions with Kevin is to try and kill him. All the characters in this book were developed very well and I really liked something about all of them.

Del did a fantastic job of writing Kevin. He is one of my favorite characters to date! Reading 'Kevin's Point of View' was like actually living through Kevin. He is so imaginative and Shannon does an amazing job of portraying it to us. I really loved that it made me feel like I was experiencing these events through this 12 year old boy. I hope to read more from Shannon in the future and I'm hoping there will be another 'Kevin's Point of View.' Oh, and I can't finish my review without saying, the ending to this book was incredible!! I was being presumptuous through it thinking I knew what was going to happen, turns out I was wrong! I won't spoil the book or the ending because I think everyone should read 'Kevin's Point of View' be Del Shannon!

[Big Book Little Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack(11): www.bigbooklittlebook.blogspot.com
Book recieved from author in exchange for an honest review.

Kevin’s point of view is a really great book that is about a normal 12 year boy still suffering from the quick, and suspicious, death of his father a year ago, who he loved so very much. He deals with this by wondering deeply into the depths of his talented imagination - separating himself from the rest of the world. A few days before he goes on his school field trip to the Rockies, a strange package arrives mysteriously for him at his home in Colorado. This package was meant to arrive at the home of Devin Talon but since when does anything ever go right in adventure books?!


The content of this important package is something called the I.N.F.L.U.X.I.T.R.O.N. With his friend Toby and his sister along with her boyfriend, a pizza delivery man, they work tirelessly to keep the I.N.F.L.U.X.I.T.R.O.N out of Devin’s desperate hands. But also Kevin has his own needs for this machine: to bring back his dad. They are able to do amazing things all around Colorado with the help of the “Shroom wagon” on their side.

I really enjoyed this book as it was full of danger and suspense all strung together cleverly by Del Shannon. At first I did actually struggle to get into the book as I found it a little confusing, but I persevered and found that this was a really exciting book that would keep me quiet for hours (much to my parents’ pleasure!). I would suggest this book to people who love books which include exciting, full-on action with plenty of fun and easy to understand humour.

[Masquerade Crew · Rating 4 out of 5]

BEC'S REVIEW


For a book called Kevin’s Point of View this book spent less than half the time telling the story from Kevin’s point of view. The rest of the story was split between Kevin’s best friend Tony and the villains, Pudge and Devin. However once you get past the misleading name it was clear that this is a ‘boy’s book’ in that boys aged 10 and upwards would enjoy it (or girls who are into car chases and the like, I’m not saying girls can’t like it). The book is filled with action and chase scenes as Kevin and Tony try to escape Devin, with this escape filling about 80% of the book. As the boys in question are quite young themselves this book will especially appeal to young or teenage boys who enjoy seeing two kids outwit an adult and I do recommend the book for this group.

However I, as an adult female reader, did not really enjoy much about this book. While I don’t mind a good action book or movie I do require that they not be all about the action. I’m not overly interested in a story that is mostly about two boys escaping the bad guys and this book did little to pull me in. It is very much an audience specific book and not something for everyone. While a lot of books designed for young adults have a crossover appeal to adults, I feel that this one is best suited for children and teenage boys, since all the action is about the two young boys escaping and one uping the adults.

While I did not enjoy the book, if you are after something for that group of young males who claim reading is lame then give this book a try, especially if they enjoy car and bike chases, helicopters, escapes, and kids triumphing over adults.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off? What a fun, fun, fun read this was! Kevin's Point of View quite honestly surprised me. Kevin and his best friend Tony, gave me many laugh out-loud moments. I love Kevin! I had read some other reviewers mention that Kevin's little 'episodes' with his imagination were very confusing and they did not enjoy them. I for one LOVED it! I guess for me, Kevin reminded me a lot of my oldest daughter...she has quite the vivid imagination as well. I kept her in mind as I read this book and I will be handing this book off to her soon. I KNOW she will LOVE it as much as Mom did!

This book is a funny, non-stop adventure. This is the perfect book for those reluctant readers in your life...especially boys. Okay yes, there might be some silliness too, but we are talking about a 12 yr old boy...hello? I really don't want to say too much about this one, other than GO read it! Is it life changing? No. Is it thought provoking? No. What it is? Fun! Funny! Delightful! Heartwarming! Oh and did I mention Fun?

I never read as a kid...ever! I so wish there had been books like this when I was young. I am lucky that my oldest daughter has found a love of reading at a young age. My youngest one? Not so much. I am always on the lookout for books with them in mind. It is books like Kevin's Point of View that get me so excited. It is books like this one that truly are what reading is all about to me. I can't wait to share this one with my little adventure lover!

Note to Del Shannon...we will be anxiously awaiting to hear more about Kevin and Tony! :0)

Rating: 4.5 Stars!

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accepted this book for review from the author because I thought it would be a very fun read, and I was not wrong about that! There is so much adventure that I think it would keep any young child interested.

Kevin is dealing with a lot of pain and I felt for him. Prior to the beginning of the book, Kevin's father died in an accident, and to deal with his loss and emotions, Kevin's imagination flourished. You can even say it developed into something that can come across as a little dangerous. He would make up these characters and completely become them, sometimes forgetting himself in the process. His imagination also got him into a lot of trouble!

One day, Kevin receives a package in the mail. The package contains a power then can cause the holder to time travel, leading Kevin and his friend, Tony in even more trouble and adventure.

I enjoyed Kevin's and Tony's friendship. Kevin could definitely be a little out there with some of the things that he would come up with, and Tony was more realistic and the voice of reason. The two of them were hilarious!

I think that Kevin's Point of View would be the perfect story for young boys especially, looking for a good read that is full of adventure. My only issue is that I think it was a little long for the targeted audience, and I think a lot of it could have been condensed. I think parents would also enjoy their children reading it, because it has a great message as well. I also believe that the messages are easy enough for children to understand. I would definitely recommend this book to young boys and girls!