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Comfort
Nothing ever happened here. Nothing ever would.
Fifteen-year-old Kenny Wilson wants nothing more than to get out of Comfort, Texas—fast. Only three things stand in his getting enough money together, convincing Cindy Blackwell to go with him, and escaping the clawlike grip of his mother.
Amidst these problems, Kenny must also contend with tumultuous feelings about his alcoholic father (newly released from prison) and his growing guilt over leaving his baby brother behind in a wake of dysfunction. But as life at home becomes even more unbearable and threatens to destroy his plans, he is determined not to lose his dreams to a lifetime of waiting tables in his mama’s rundown café. Propelled by desire and despair, Kenny discovers the power of words and how they can change lives in ways he never dared to hope for. He comes to realize that there’s a time to stop running and take a stand.
Fifteen-year-old Kenny Wilson wants nothing more than to get out of Comfort, Texas—fast. Only three things stand in his getting enough money together, convincing Cindy Blackwell to go with him, and escaping the clawlike grip of his mother.
Amidst these problems, Kenny must also contend with tumultuous feelings about his alcoholic father (newly released from prison) and his growing guilt over leaving his baby brother behind in a wake of dysfunction. But as life at home becomes even more unbearable and threatens to destroy his plans, he is determined not to lose his dreams to a lifetime of waiting tables in his mama’s rundown café. Propelled by desire and despair, Kenny discovers the power of words and how they can change lives in ways he never dared to hope for. He comes to realize that there’s a time to stop running and take a stand.
230 pages, Hardcover
First published March 25, 2002
5 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Carolee Dean
15 books177 followersCarolee Dean, MS, CCC-SLP, CALT, Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Academic Language Therapist specializing in dyslexia, is an adjunct instructor at Providence College teaching Language-Based Learning for students pursuing a Master of Education in Special Education with a Dyslexia Credential. She is the founder of Word Travel Press LLC, creating decodable books and related materials for struggling readers through her HOT ROD series. She served as the Western Region Representative for the International Dyslexia Association from 2022 to 2025. Dean specializes in narrative-based strategies and is the author of Story Frames for Literacy: Enhancing Student Learning Through the Power of Storytelling (2021, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co, Inc). She has also written award-winning young adult fiction available through Houghton Mifflin and Simon Pulse.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 1, 2013
This was a quick and easy read that I picked up because I was weeding the library's teen section and was trying to decide whether I should keep it (it's about poetry!) or toss it (no one's checked it out in years). While it's not my new favorite teen book, I'm definitely keeping it in the library and maybe even recommending it, especially to boys. (I always struggle with finding good books to recommend to guys.) Kenny's voice is strong and believable. I read the whole thing with his Texan drawl in my ears, which added layers to the classic poems scattered throughout the book. I think Dean does a fairly good job of showing how the words of Byron, Frost, Dickinson, and other great poets are relevant today, even to a boy from Comfort, Texas with a miserable, small-seeming life. Kenny's life is awful: abusive/oblivious parents, a crush on a girl who can't stay away from her abusive boyfriend, you name it. He's got big dreams of running away, and I'll admit I was rooting for him to make it the whole time. But in this book, words aren't a way of escape, they're a conduit to power. Poetry helps Kenny find the strength to face things. I liked that the ending wasn't either completely tragic (which I was fearing the whole time) or falsely happy. It was complicated but hopeful, which nicely offset the very depressing effect of the rest of the book. I rated this book a 3 because while it wasn't epic and was a little too bleary for me to want to read it again, it was solidly written and I like what it says. Plus, poetry!
December 12, 2008
Riveting, a book you just can't set down until you reach the end.
WOW!
I was crying hard the last two chapters of the book.
What a way to blend family situations, small town life, first love and the desire to run away with the use of poetry.
Ms. Dean captured the life of a youth that reminded me of Lois Lowry, Avi and Will Weaver.
"I ain't goin' down, Mama,
I ain't goin' down.
"You can lock me up in your Coke can
house,
'Til I 'm busting at the seams.
You can whoop me like a dog
While I listen to your schemes."
p.226, Comfort.
Enjoy!
WOW!
I was crying hard the last two chapters of the book.
What a way to blend family situations, small town life, first love and the desire to run away with the use of poetry.
Ms. Dean captured the life of a youth that reminded me of Lois Lowry, Avi and Will Weaver.
"I ain't goin' down, Mama,
I ain't goin' down.
"You can lock me up in your Coke can
house,
'Til I 'm busting at the seams.
You can whoop me like a dog
While I listen to your schemes."
p.226, Comfort.
Enjoy!
July 31, 2013
Kenny is 14-years old. He works in the family business. He plays in the band and plays football. Seem normal? Not really. Mom wants his to quit it all and help in the café. She is abusive, self absorbed and mean. Dad is an alcoholic and is getting ready to be released from prison. Oh, and he’s a teenager so throw in a major crush on a girl named Cindy. He fantasizes about running away from the “comforts” of Comfort, TX. Now to raise money to make his plan come true!
Kenny is a realistic, insightful young man that you root for, and I love the idea that he learns that words have power. Also, having poetry in the novel is a perk. We all feel trapped, but it reminds me that sometimes I need to remember as an educator, adults, and as a mom that the struggles of young people are real. The Catcher in the Rye review on goodreads
I was excited to read The Catcher in the Rye. I knew the basic storyline from the other English teachers I worked with, but I’d never got around to reading it. It follows the life of a seventeen-year-old boy named Holden Caulfield. He is actually recalling the events that happened that previous year and he’s currently in a mental institution. I immediately think of Montressor in “The Cask of Amontillado” for some reason. His retelling of the story is set in in December in the ‘50s. The events of the novel take place in a short period of time, only about 2 or 3 days. Holden has just been expelled from yet another prep school, so he decides to spend a few days on his own in New York City. What bad could happen right?
Having just lost in a fight with his roommate, Holden decides to leave school for good and sets off on a misadventure that involves prostitutes, pimps, former teachers, nuns, an old girlfriend, and eventually his younger sister. Holden is a symbol of the struggles to grow up, rebel against society, and face things that aren’t easy to talk about it. He’s sarcastic, drinks, cusses, and seems tolerable more than likeable. You know he’s hiding something and refer to it as “madman stuff.” I’m amused when he lies and warmed when he worries about the ducks in Central Park. As a teacher, I cringe when I read about his conclusions with his former teacher, Mr. Antolini. The word phony comes up a lot. He thinks the school is phony, and that some people are phony, etc. As he says this, I can’t help but think about whether he includes himself as well. But when he talks about the children he would catch falling from the cliff, I know he is talking about himself as well.
I can see why this book would be banned, but I can also see what an important cultural relevance it still serves. He struggles, he makes bad choices, he feels things deeply, and he cries; he’s human. There aren’t a lot of novels in high school that young men can relate to as protagonists. Gene or Finny from A Separate Peace? I think it might be a disservice not allowing male teens to get to know Holden. Even if they decide later that they don’t like him.
Book Citation: Dean, Carolee. Comfort. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 2002.
I paired this book with the classic because both Holden and Kenny are escaping from something that they don’t really even comprehend. Set in Comfort, Texas, Kenny fantasizes escaping from his family following the release of his father from prison. Both characters search of identity, family, and love but are determined to escape from their current situations.
Audience
Both books target a high school; audience. Both are mature in content as the subjects of alcohol, sex, and abuse are prominent. Both protagonist are male, yet are not targeted exclusively for males. Each protagonist struggles with his family relationship and his relationship with girls and love. Any teenager can relate to being torn between what people tell you to do and what you want to do.
Selection Criteria
In creating a story about a boy who is fantasizing about escaping his life, the author has created something that is believable, clearly detailed, and earnest. The poetry recited helps the reader understand the depth of the character. Dean helps to authenticate Kenny by allowing him to be flawed and imperfect. Being an accomplished female writer, Dean is able to create a male character who is relatable to all. She is an accomplished writer, but also a speech-language pathologist for a school system. She has also spent time working with troubled teens in psychiatric hospitals and head trauma units, so she is in touch with the youth of today.
ENGL 11.4 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze relationships among American literature, history, and culture.
h) Generate and respond logically to literal, inferential, evaluative, synthesizing, and critical thinking questions before, during, and after reading texts.
This novel would generate great discussions in class about the American family and all the dynamics that are created when a young man struggles with an abusive mother, a convict father, and the agonizing decisions about what is best for a family. Kenny must struggle with his loyalty to family and providing for his family, but also with his desire to still be kid. The lexile measure is 670. It has won several awards and has been noted by the Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, 2006, Beehive Award (2003-2004) and the Children’s and Young Adults Book Award, 2003. It is included on Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog as well as the School Library Journal Book Review Stars.
Reviews:
Christopher Moning (Children's Literature)
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, February 15, 2002 (Vol. 70, No. 4))
Claire Rosser (KLIATT Review, March 2002 (Vol. 36, No. 2))
Andrea Haas (Kutztown University Book Review, Spring 2005)
Mary Annelle Baker (The ALAN Review, Fall 2002 (Vol. 30, No. 1))
Marge Wood (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 15, No. 1))
Sherry York (VOYA, April 2002 (Vol. 25, No. 1))
Ordering Information
Call Number: PZ7.D3435Co 2002
Dewey Decimal: FIC
ISBN: 0618138463
9780618138463
Houghton Mifflin, 230p, $15.00. Ages 12 to 18.
Kenny is a realistic, insightful young man that you root for, and I love the idea that he learns that words have power. Also, having poetry in the novel is a perk. We all feel trapped, but it reminds me that sometimes I need to remember as an educator, adults, and as a mom that the struggles of young people are real. The Catcher in the Rye review on goodreads
I was excited to read The Catcher in the Rye. I knew the basic storyline from the other English teachers I worked with, but I’d never got around to reading it. It follows the life of a seventeen-year-old boy named Holden Caulfield. He is actually recalling the events that happened that previous year and he’s currently in a mental institution. I immediately think of Montressor in “The Cask of Amontillado” for some reason. His retelling of the story is set in in December in the ‘50s. The events of the novel take place in a short period of time, only about 2 or 3 days. Holden has just been expelled from yet another prep school, so he decides to spend a few days on his own in New York City. What bad could happen right?
Having just lost in a fight with his roommate, Holden decides to leave school for good and sets off on a misadventure that involves prostitutes, pimps, former teachers, nuns, an old girlfriend, and eventually his younger sister. Holden is a symbol of the struggles to grow up, rebel against society, and face things that aren’t easy to talk about it. He’s sarcastic, drinks, cusses, and seems tolerable more than likeable. You know he’s hiding something and refer to it as “madman stuff.” I’m amused when he lies and warmed when he worries about the ducks in Central Park. As a teacher, I cringe when I read about his conclusions with his former teacher, Mr. Antolini. The word phony comes up a lot. He thinks the school is phony, and that some people are phony, etc. As he says this, I can’t help but think about whether he includes himself as well. But when he talks about the children he would catch falling from the cliff, I know he is talking about himself as well.
I can see why this book would be banned, but I can also see what an important cultural relevance it still serves. He struggles, he makes bad choices, he feels things deeply, and he cries; he’s human. There aren’t a lot of novels in high school that young men can relate to as protagonists. Gene or Finny from A Separate Peace? I think it might be a disservice not allowing male teens to get to know Holden. Even if they decide later that they don’t like him.
Book Citation: Dean, Carolee. Comfort. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 2002.
I paired this book with the classic because both Holden and Kenny are escaping from something that they don’t really even comprehend. Set in Comfort, Texas, Kenny fantasizes escaping from his family following the release of his father from prison. Both characters search of identity, family, and love but are determined to escape from their current situations.
Audience
Both books target a high school; audience. Both are mature in content as the subjects of alcohol, sex, and abuse are prominent. Both protagonist are male, yet are not targeted exclusively for males. Each protagonist struggles with his family relationship and his relationship with girls and love. Any teenager can relate to being torn between what people tell you to do and what you want to do.
Selection Criteria
In creating a story about a boy who is fantasizing about escaping his life, the author has created something that is believable, clearly detailed, and earnest. The poetry recited helps the reader understand the depth of the character. Dean helps to authenticate Kenny by allowing him to be flawed and imperfect. Being an accomplished female writer, Dean is able to create a male character who is relatable to all. She is an accomplished writer, but also a speech-language pathologist for a school system. She has also spent time working with troubled teens in psychiatric hospitals and head trauma units, so she is in touch with the youth of today.
ENGL 11.4 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze relationships among American literature, history, and culture.
h) Generate and respond logically to literal, inferential, evaluative, synthesizing, and critical thinking questions before, during, and after reading texts.
This novel would generate great discussions in class about the American family and all the dynamics that are created when a young man struggles with an abusive mother, a convict father, and the agonizing decisions about what is best for a family. Kenny must struggle with his loyalty to family and providing for his family, but also with his desire to still be kid. The lexile measure is 670. It has won several awards and has been noted by the Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, 2006, Beehive Award (2003-2004) and the Children’s and Young Adults Book Award, 2003. It is included on Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog as well as the School Library Journal Book Review Stars.
Reviews:
Christopher Moning (Children's Literature)
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, February 15, 2002 (Vol. 70, No. 4))
Claire Rosser (KLIATT Review, March 2002 (Vol. 36, No. 2))
Andrea Haas (Kutztown University Book Review, Spring 2005)
Mary Annelle Baker (The ALAN Review, Fall 2002 (Vol. 30, No. 1))
Marge Wood (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 15, No. 1))
Sherry York (VOYA, April 2002 (Vol. 25, No. 1))
Ordering Information
Call Number: PZ7.D3435Co 2002
Dewey Decimal: FIC
ISBN: 0618138463
9780618138463
Houghton Mifflin, 230p, $15.00. Ages 12 to 18.
June 7, 2019
I loved this book so much. I was going thought a lot at the time and still am, but this book helped me through it. I was just looking through the books in the library when I stumbled across this one called comfort. I checked it out just to see what could be of it. I related so much to the main character and I learned that even when the going get tough you have to stay tougher. This book made me cry but I’m so glad I read it and it now had a special place in my heart. I just want to ay thank you Carolee Dean for writing this book.
February 20, 2019
I feel like the author did an incredible job at portraying the emotions of the main character, Kenny. I felt so so sad for him through the entire book. I nearly gave up on reading it because it was so sad. BUT the ending made it all worth it. Plus to fulfill my poetry requirement for EBN there wasn't all that much poetry involved.
March 26, 2020
Great Story
July 23, 2022
Kenny was relatable on SO many levels.
August 2, 2025
lol goofy as hell I can’t take this book serious but fun to read and laugh at. Corny.
November 2, 2012
The book is mainly of a teen named Kenny Wilson. Hes faced a short glimpse of fame while in the football team in high school and became a popular figure. Till he hits the turning point of events in his life starting with his mom taking him away from the team forcefully making him work most his life and hours in the cafe in which his mom bought solely for the familys goals in that she believes. As the days go on he finds himself hardworking in the cafe and not being paid which in fact leads him to steal some cash every now an than for his personal goal to live to dallas away from here which he decides to be freedom with his uncle. Along the way he meets a girl that he is attracted too and later she plays a big role also. I liked the determination he has to persevere in the abuse of work and being hit all the time from his mom the way he is able to maintain a calm attitude. As a reader its a real challenge to actually stay hopeful. At every turning point theres always one event that will either bring him down or make him have 2nd thoughts and it leads to that with his ex con father who got out of jail on probation recently. After all they have been through the dad wanting to be a better man but always cut off from the mom and her plans for the family ruining the hopes both kenny and his dad has. This relates to me as i had to give up sports to help support the family and i can make a connectionh.
October 13, 2015
Dean's Comfort mesmerized me with its inspiring tale and its outstanding style.
The theme of this book is acceptance and sacrifice. Carolee Dean's style is unique and touching.
This story shows the importance of standing up for yourself and truly achieving your dreams no matter what stands in the way. Some of the main characters in the book are Kenny, Roy junior, mama, and daddy. Kenny is fifteen years old and has the desire to do more with his life rather than work at his mamas cafe. Roy junior is Kenny's little brother, who is an innocent little boy who likes the presence of his older brother. Then we have mama who is somewhat nice but is strict on Kenny running her cafe smoothly. Lastly, we have daddy who just got released from jail and is an alcoholic. The setting takes place in Comfort, Texas. Comfort tells the story of learning to realize that there are going to be obstacles standing in the way of you and your dreams but overcoming them is what makes you become capable of not letting that stop you from reaching them. This story connects to everyday life. Everyday people go through rough times but not letting that stop you will only make you stronger of pursuing your goal.
All in all, the story Comfort tells it like it is. It brings you to realize that life brings hardship and failure but having the mindset to never let that stop you brings you to your dreams.
The theme of this book is acceptance and sacrifice. Carolee Dean's style is unique and touching.
This story shows the importance of standing up for yourself and truly achieving your dreams no matter what stands in the way. Some of the main characters in the book are Kenny, Roy junior, mama, and daddy. Kenny is fifteen years old and has the desire to do more with his life rather than work at his mamas cafe. Roy junior is Kenny's little brother, who is an innocent little boy who likes the presence of his older brother. Then we have mama who is somewhat nice but is strict on Kenny running her cafe smoothly. Lastly, we have daddy who just got released from jail and is an alcoholic. The setting takes place in Comfort, Texas. Comfort tells the story of learning to realize that there are going to be obstacles standing in the way of you and your dreams but overcoming them is what makes you become capable of not letting that stop you from reaching them. This story connects to everyday life. Everyday people go through rough times but not letting that stop you will only make you stronger of pursuing your goal.
All in all, the story Comfort tells it like it is. It brings you to realize that life brings hardship and failure but having the mindset to never let that stop you brings you to your dreams.
Read
October 15, 2010 my novel called comfort is about this boy named Kenny.Kenny's dad is just getting out of prison again. Kenny's mom is making him get a hard ship so when his dad gets out he can drive him around.Even-tho he's fourteen.Kenny lives with is mom,brother and dad. when he's home from prison.
Kenny is in love with this girl named Cindy Blackwell.But she is older than him and she would not date him.Kenny is in a poetry class with Cindy.He writes very good in poetry.His mom owns a cafe and she makes Kenny work very hard.Because the only people that work there are himself,and his mom.they live in a house behind the cafe.His mom makes his dad sing and play guitar for all the costumers.
My thoughts of this book where okay.The book at first sight was great.I read the back cover and I thought I will like this book.i thought this because the back cover is a song-poetry.I love poetry so i wanted to read this book. When I started reading Comfort it was not interesting.It was to boring.Nothing was happening in this book.Then I got to reading even more of the book.As i got into the book it got more interesting.By the time I got to the middle of the book and I loved it.When i got done i was glad because it was a very good book.
Kenny is in love with this girl named Cindy Blackwell.But she is older than him and she would not date him.Kenny is in a poetry class with Cindy.He writes very good in poetry.His mom owns a cafe and she makes Kenny work very hard.Because the only people that work there are himself,and his mom.they live in a house behind the cafe.His mom makes his dad sing and play guitar for all the costumers.
My thoughts of this book where okay.The book at first sight was great.I read the back cover and I thought I will like this book.i thought this because the back cover is a song-poetry.I love poetry so i wanted to read this book. When I started reading Comfort it was not interesting.It was to boring.Nothing was happening in this book.Then I got to reading even more of the book.As i got into the book it got more interesting.By the time I got to the middle of the book and I loved it.When i got done i was glad because it was a very good book.
July 24, 2010
This book is about a young boy dealing with the struggles of an abusive mother, poverty, an alcoholic father, and the inner turmoil that creates.
Kenny Willson loves to write and dreams of a bigger life outside of the small town of Comfort, TX. He dreams of breaking free from the shackles of poverty and lack of education.
With a mama who can't see past her own dreams to realize her son has some of his own, Keny has to fight for what he wants, has to fight to be somebody, and has to fight just to stay in school.
A coming of age story that is sure to bring a tear to your eye, fill your heart with memories of all the things you've dreamed of, and raise your hackles at the injustice of a self-centered parent of a kid longing for love.
With only a few people who seem to believe in him and his mama out to tie him down: will Kenny ever fulfill his dreams and learn the power of putting his anger and disappointment on paper?
Worth the time it takes to read. A really great book: well written with flawed, believable characters and a story that, even if you can't relate, pulls you in and fills you with all the emotions of a struggling, oppressed teenager on the verge of something better.
Kenny Willson loves to write and dreams of a bigger life outside of the small town of Comfort, TX. He dreams of breaking free from the shackles of poverty and lack of education.
With a mama who can't see past her own dreams to realize her son has some of his own, Keny has to fight for what he wants, has to fight to be somebody, and has to fight just to stay in school.
A coming of age story that is sure to bring a tear to your eye, fill your heart with memories of all the things you've dreamed of, and raise your hackles at the injustice of a self-centered parent of a kid longing for love.
With only a few people who seem to believe in him and his mama out to tie him down: will Kenny ever fulfill his dreams and learn the power of putting his anger and disappointment on paper?
Worth the time it takes to read. A really great book: well written with flawed, believable characters and a story that, even if you can't relate, pulls you in and fills you with all the emotions of a struggling, oppressed teenager on the verge of something better.
December 19, 2014
This book about Kenny Willson, a high school student who lives in Comfort, Texas, is one I really enjoyed. Kenny's family is dysfunctional, with an abusive mother and a father who has spent the last three years in prison. His mother has big plans for her husband, who she thinks will be the next country superstar. Kenny has become interested in poetry, and he attends a poetry slam with a high school girl who is several years older than him, so although he is in love with her, she sees him as a friend with whom she shares a love for poetry.
The writer made me sympathize with Kenny, and his thoughts and feelings seemed real. I also felt bad for being caught in the middle of a situation where his mother seems to use him to further her own goals (having a successful restaurant and securing a record contract and singing career for her husband) that she has already made him quit the football team and is now talking about him dropping out of high school when he turns 16 so he can help her run the restaurant.
I highly recommend this book with its surprising plot twists and use of poetry, so much so that I will give it 10 out of 10.
The writer made me sympathize with Kenny, and his thoughts and feelings seemed real. I also felt bad for being caught in the middle of a situation where his mother seems to use him to further her own goals (having a successful restaurant and securing a record contract and singing career for her husband) that she has already made him quit the football team and is now talking about him dropping out of high school when he turns 16 so he can help her run the restaurant.
I highly recommend this book with its surprising plot twists and use of poetry, so much so that I will give it 10 out of 10.
August 26, 2008
YAL
Main issues: father drunk, teen helps to run family restaurant, mom stops him from doing some extracurricular activities, teen is great at poetry and he attends poetry readings..author quotes the bird cage by Angela Mayalou), teen romance issues. This could be an emotionally hard book for some to read. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I would not reccomend it to students. It would have to be the choice of the student. I would not recommend for Middle School reading. There are too many issues.
Main issues: father drunk, teen helps to run family restaurant, mom stops him from doing some extracurricular activities, teen is great at poetry and he attends poetry readings..author quotes the bird cage by Angela Mayalou), teen romance issues. This could be an emotionally hard book for some to read. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I would not reccomend it to students. It would have to be the choice of the student. I would not recommend for Middle School reading. There are too many issues.
June 15, 2012
Once again a success. Her books are hard to read in a way. Her characters have so many challenges and trials, and don't always make good choices. The main character in this book has an alcoholic father just released from jail, a poorly educated and not very kind mother, and a neglected baby brother. It's a difficult situation. He is good in school but his mother wants him to drop out at 16 like she did and devalues school in favor of work. There's a good resolution and a good and unexpected story line.
March 9, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, especially the way that Kenny's emotions were portrayed. Toward the end of the novel, however, I feel that the events all ofa sudden became rushed. The book had a very suspenseful, slow feel in the beginning which I enjoyed. So when all of a sudden it was over and things ended up the way they did, I was somewhat let down. In general, however, the author accurately portrayed the common dysfunction of family in modern American society and did a great job of revealing the emotions of each individual actor given their unique perspectives.
May 15, 2010
Kenny Willson can't escape his present and Texas itself. His mom puts everything she has (including Kenny) into running a diner so her ex-con husband can make it big as a country singer. But the back of a camel is broken when not only is he forced to quit football, band, poetry and school (almost), he realizes he needs to find someone to believe in him. Maybe he just needs to believe in him.
"I ain't goin' down Mama, I ain't goin' down"
"I ain't goin' down Mama, I ain't goin' down"
May 27, 2010
This book was okay to me Kenny was a very interesting character to read about ... he is a strange boy though falling in love with the worst girl he could ever fall in love with. Though he is kind he is also a foolish boy doing any thing to get Sinde to like him. Even though he is like that though i can't help but feel pitty for him since his own parents don't suport his choses in life like sports and literacy. Though this book does have a farly happy ending to it for him.
January 11, 2011
14 year old Kenny Roy Willson just wants to escape from Comfort, Texas, with Cindy. His mother forced him to quit the football team and the band, and now she wants him to drop out to help her run the cafe. His alcoholic father has just gotten out of prison, and his mother has big plans to make him a Big Country Star. He only needs to win one of the state competitions to get enough money to leave.
June 18, 2008
I finished Comfort over the weekend. I like the poetry connection. I also liked seeing Kenny figure out what was important to him and act on it. He definitely was faced with challenges beyond what many experience. I loved the way his story ended. The poetry connection was definitely my favorite part of the book. Boy, am I easy!
May 12, 2012
I read this in a few hours one sunny Saturday. It really drew me in very quickly and I felt strongly attached to the main character. It's kind of a country and western song in novel format though, with everything going horribly wrong all the time for poor Kenny, but leaves you feeling drained but not defeated.
December 1, 2012
I really liked this book. I would recommend it to people who are intrested in a little bit of drama and a realistic book. I was currently reading this book in class for a book project and if you are a student reading I would tell your teacher to make you'll do this book for a project to read. It was definitely one of the best books I have read.
June 21, 2014
It may be because I had no expectations if this book, but I liked it a lot. It's a first novel for this author. I liked her characters though, her setting, and her symbols. There is a little language in this because this is about a boy with an alcoholic father, an abusive mother, and choices to make about his future. The language was probably therefore necessary.
May 29, 2008
I thought it was pretty good. It was about a boy whos life wasn't so good his mom wasn't nice to him and his dad was in jail. His dad comes back and his mom is making him drive his dad everywhere and he doesn't even want to see his dad. (That is how I feel with my dad)
Thats all i remember. :)
Thats all i remember. :)
February 14, 2009
the book was good because it told the drama of someones life and how his parents were selfishly trying to control it . he overcame his trials by not giving in and making the right choices at the end of the book.
March 30, 2015
I read this in Three days and I loved it Kenny seems so real in his struggles. His home life and the struggle teens go through in needing self expression. I recommend this book to any teen its very enlightening and I loved the poetry exposure in the book.
March 26, 2008
I loved Kenny the main character in this book. If anyone had a reason to give up on life, he did. This story proves that you should never, never, give up.
October 19, 2008
Kenny Wilson has a crush on a girl who is dating the jerk of the centery. Kenny plans to runn away. He goes through his drunken dad, jerks, etc.
May 16, 2008
great book about a boy with a chilhood were he hade to make the decisions and be the boss with horrid parents
May 22, 2008
I have never read this book even though I was supposed to read it. I just read about 30 pages.
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