Unlocked

by Ryan G. Van Cleave

Fourteen-year old Andy is the janitor's son, and an outcast. It's rumored that formerly popular Blake, who has become a loner since his dad's death, has a gun hidden in his locker, and beautiful, unattainable Becky Ann wants to see it. In order to impress her, Andy steals the keys from his dad and opens up Blake's locker, but the gun isn't there. A friendship develops between the two loners, and Blake shares most of his secrets with Andy, including the gun. But there's one secret that worries Andy more than anything-the date circled on Blake's calendar. Does Blake have something planned? Something that Andy can prevent?

Genres: Young Adult, Poetry, Realistic Fiction, Novel In Verse, Mystery, Fiction, Contemporary

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2011

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this book out on a whim, not really knowing much about it. I certainly did not expect a verse novel about a school shooter!

Andy's father is the school janitor. The kids call his father Mr. Clean, and call Andy "CJ" - Clean Junior. Since he started high school he's been alone, along with a handful of other "losers," including Blake, the jock Aaron's punching bag. Blake's father died in Iraq and there's a rumor that Blake is hiding a gun in his locker. Andy, trying to impress a popular girl, steals his father's keys and breaks into Blake's locker to find the gun. He finds nothing, and gets grounded at home and teased at school over the incident.

But slowly Andy forms a friendship with Blake, who does indeed have a gun. Part of Andy likes having a friend, but another part of him is worried about the blacked out date on Blake's calendar.

This is the first verse novel I've read that is really geared toward boys. The premise is gripping and the poems let the action happen without getting mired in the slow stuff like Andy's depression. It was a very quick read and would be great for a reluctant reader. Despite the heavy subject matter, there is little to no swearing, violence, or sex.

[Karly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected a little more from this book. I liked the formatting, but I thought it would be longer. I mean, I finished it in less than an hour. Also, it was very predictive, but I still remained engrossed in it. I probably wouldn't read it again, and I wouldn't really recommend it. But, the plot was somewhat interesting. One word for this book: Okay...

[Milli (MiracleMilliReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never though this would be a script book about a potential school shooting. This book was fast paced and very interesting. I love how we entered the mind of a depressing, lonely, and bullied teen. I think everyone who has been bullied can relate to these thoughts that are racing through Blake's head.

Andy, the school janitors son, was bullied and wanted to impress the girl he liked. There was rumor going around that Blake had a gun in locker. Andy steals his fathers master key and takes a look into Blake's mysterious locker. He did not find anything, but ended up getting caught and no one believed what he did. Blake forgives Andy and they both become best friends. Blake shows Andy the gun and become obsessed with shooting it. Blake wants to do more with gun, but Andy feels like he should tell someone and is scared about what will happen to his friendship.

A good book and I would have loved to know more about the characters since it was a really short book.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were still teaching, I would definitely have my students read this book. It's written in verse and an easy read, and I think it would really hit home with some kids. It is told by Andy, a high school freshman and the son of the janitor--it goes without saying that he's bullied from day one. He eventually befriends Blake, also bullied, who is rumored to have a gun in his locker. Andy eventually must decide between snitching on his friend or staying loyal despite the possible consequences.

As far as the actual writing, it is pretty simple for verse, but the premise is powerful and sends a good message. The ending seemed a little didactic for pleasure reading, but I do think this would be a good book for an topic study or assignment.

[Cait S · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning didn't impress me but I was pulled in somewhere along the way. The verse felt unnecessary. Another YA

Written like this
Not real poems
Just sentences
broken
artistically.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright. I don't get why it was written as a poem though, that just made it annoying. The story was okay, it read fast and easily. I would have liked this story as a full length book, it felt really rushed, much like a short film. It got me hooked enough to read it in one sitting, so I won't discredit it entirely.

[Rhiannon Nichol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave a 2/5. I didn’t really enjoy this book all that much. I don’t think it was anything the author did or didn’t do, just that I didn’t like the story. I gave it a 2 out of 5 because I did like the author’s writing style just not what he was writing about.

[Joy Kirr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, can’t-put-down-once-you-start mature book. I’m glad it ended how it ended - good message for readers. I didn’t like how it portrayed some of the characters, but maybe that IS how a high schooler thinks. It made me feel terrible for high schoolers all over, and I’m so glad to be done with that age.

[Natalie Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a good book but it was to short and kind of boring at first.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andy and Blake become "friends" during school only because they are both social outcasts. Blake's father was killed in combat in Iraq but has an obsession with being alone and possibly a gun. Andy is the janitor's son and no one lets him forget it. The two forge a bond and although Andy likes the feel of the gun that Blake is now carrying around and they're shooting out back of a store, he can't shake the feeling that Blake might do something with it.

The verse didn't flow as freely as it could have, it spent too much time up front explaining other social outcasts and trying to throw off the scent, but as the speed picked up and the social antagonism peaked, Andy decides to snitch to his father. And lucky he did, because as the SWAT team stormed the building looking for Blake, he pulls out the gun and shoots back.

Though no one ends up dead from the shooting, there are several monumental revelations that I appreciated. The fact that Andy struggles with being a snitch, the fact that he still enjoys the thought of touching and playing with the gun, and remorse that Blake's life (especially living without a father) might be left to rot in a mental institution.

[Mrs. Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

(TOLD IN VERSE) Andy is the janitor's son, an outcast, a nobody. Then the rumor starts-that Blake has a gun in his locker. In a moment of misguided hopefulness, Andy steals the keys from his dad and opens up Blake's locker, hoping that finding the gun will change his own status. But the gun isn't there and Andy remains an outcast. When an unlikely friendship develops between the two loners, Blake shares most of his secrets with Andy, including the gun. But there's one secret that worries Andy more than anything-the date circled on Blake's calendar. Does Blake have something planned? Something that Andy can prevent? In a fascinating look at how teens deal with the now constant threat of school violence, debut author Ryan G. Van Cleave provides a unique, emotional perspective on how it feels to be the one who can prevent a tragedy.

Both timely, and heavy...

[Bethany Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was the story engaging? Yes. Do I think middle schoolers need to read it? No. Unlocked tells the story from the perspective of someone who is friends with a potential school shooter. He gets sucked into the allure of a shiny gun and all its power. I appreciate how realistic it is to be seduced by violence, but even up to the last few moments, the main character regrets betraying his friend, someone who likely planned to massacre the entire student body. I wouldn't say this is a great example for my impressionable students.

[Ben Vorse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know the poetry-like aspect is hit or miss with this book. I actually liked it. I’ve seen people say that they wanted it to be more exciting and about a school shooting and that just rubs me the wrong way. This story took on a much more realistic tone on how people are pulled into situations like these. I like the fact that Andy didn’t end up enjoying being a “hero” and instead felt like a snitch. Adults these days don’t understand what it’s like to grow up in a culture where the idea of a gun in school is gossip but also a great danger. I thought it was good and definitely worth the read.

[rockerduh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up because I wanted something quick to read. The subject caught my eye. Typically I'm not into verse style writing but I didn't mind it at all.

Shooting and retelling of shootings scare me. I thought this would be a bit different, but it was still good. Made me anxious with how long it took for action to happen. I've never been one to dilly dally with the rules.

👀

Good quick read.

[Just A Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books written in verse, I actually really enjoy them. I know they lack some detail, but I like the quick & entertaining reads.

Unlocked is about one outcast befriending another outcast that is rumored to have a gun.

I enjoy morbid stories, like stories about school shootings, and this didn't disappoint.

If you are a fan of verse, and want a quick read, that is entertaining & makes you worry what's going to happen at the end, read this. :)

[Taylor Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally nothing happened. Nothing, it could have had so much potential but it was all so predictable. You would think that a book that has less than 30 words per page would be good. I kept forgetting the main character was only 14 and a freshman, the story never really made him clear to any age except high school. There were so many irrelevant "chapters". Well, at least I could finish reading it.

[Pernia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great quick pick for reluctant readers.

Andy’s father is the school custodian and he is teased and bullied mercilessly. He befriends a boy named Blake and they spend a lot to time firing Blake’s gun. Blake says strange things and has adage in March blacked out on his calendar in his locker. Andy is suspicious but will he tell on his friend?

[TSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read a book in verse formatting. Not too fond of it, but I got used to it after a while. It was a quick read and very well done especially about how Andy's thoughts and feelings were written. But I really wish the story would develop more, it was too short to say the least.

Overall, the story was just ok👌

[Stephanie Duerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

( 2011 )People know how it's written before they read it but then complain about how it's written after they finish it make it makes sense 😂 One line in the book kinda had racist undertones that had me like YIKES " No one brought guns to school. Maybe in Detroit or that part of Miami that's pure poverty " 😐

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an older title, and a heavy topic (school shooting). It was okay, not great, but definitely has some important messages (ant-bullying; if you see something, say something, etc.). I liked that it was for/from the perspective of a boy and told in verse. I find a lot of verse novels are more for girls.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this book out from the library in a win. I'm, so glad I did. This book is written in verse so it is very short. Even though it is short it is an amazing book. It offers so good lesions on the affects of bulling and when to keep a secret for a friend. I will defiantly be reading it again.

[Ashley Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story and has a few really powerful verses. This book did not sway me emotionally as much as I thought it should have given the subject matter. However, it’s a quick read and free verse is flying off my shelves right now, so worth book talking.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY quick read (finished in about 2 hours). Has some great lessons and ideas scattered around. Cool format, as the novel was written in verse. The book was almost too quick, and many things went a bit too fast. This novel is about a school shooter, so only read if you enjoy morbid stories.

[Beautifully Broken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. Very shocking and honest and...heart-wrenching. A recommended read no doubt. An amazing novel written in a poetry-type style with realistic characters and a plot that is unfortunately much too real.

[Jenifer Dugdale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could be interesting for a high school student to read. Told in poetry form. Lessons about how we treat each other, what it means to be a friend, how hard it can be to take responsible action.

[Henneyghs2020 · Rating 3 out of 5]

i think the book was alright

[*Weebles* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and easy read with a great story.

[Nar · Rating 3 out of 5]

12+. Mature discussion in some parts of the book (& swearing) but no action. Somewhat childish with a darker twist.

[Eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

If asked what I think of this book, I would answer it’s fine. It’s clearly written with a heavy handed moral in mind and it’s fine. I just feel like they could have done a lot more and they didn’t.

[t.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the way unlocked was written, I just wish the book was a little longer. (Very fast read/written in verse)