Self. Destructed.

by Evan Jacobs

Michael Ellis...typical American boy. A little on the geeky side. A good student. An athlete. But something is not quite right. ""I like you because you're different."" That's what Ashley had said to him. Different is better than being normal. Michael liked different. It was more interesting than following the crowd. But Ashley wasn't different. And she wasn't interested in dating Michael any longer. That's when Michael Ellis became unhinged. With Ashley's rejection, he does something shocking, and finds himself headed to juvenile detention.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Young Adult

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Brandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is part of a series of hi-lo books published for emerging teen readers. I picked it up for a quick read because the premise sounded interesting. Sophisticated readers are unlikely to enjoy this story since the action happens quickly with very little character development or even thorough examination of the plot. Still, the story does have teen appeal. I had to subtract a star because in one sentence, the word passed was used incorrectly in place of past. This seems like a pretty significant error for a major publisher of hi-lo books.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I watched this book sit on the new YA shelf at the library for a couple weeks before I snatched it up. I loved the cover, the synopsis, and the script carved out on the back: the characters embracing their differences until the truth finally comes out. Michael begins to self-destruct when he realizes Ashley is a fraud, but by then Ashley has become an obsession that Michael cannot let go of. This story sounds like a story I could really enjoy, one that would leave me reading late into the night. The message in the end is life changing for Michael once he gets a clear understanding of his life and where it is headed. The story is short and for that, I am glad as the story lacks in its delivery. I really felt that I couldn’t connect with the characters; I felt the characters were just there, no emotions or ties. It was one of those he said, she said stories. It really had potential.

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover is a home-run. Really appealing, especially for the target audience. But Jacobs didn't quite pull of the trick of making a compelling character both likable and flawed, and the story which promises grit and realism of the penal system takes a jarring break half-way through with a simple chapter head, "Twelve Months Later." Just like that, the reader leaps through Michael's life. The story is primarily about Michael's long-road back from a relationship that crashes and burns before he's ready (ok, he rams it into the ground). While I see a real readership for other books in this series - Unchained - this is too didactic and predictable for me to get excited about. Perhaps those close to obsessive relationships will appreciate it; I didn't feel invested.

[South Brunswick High School Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael has plans for his life. He wants to ace his SATs. He wants to graduate and become a pediatrician. He wants to help people. When Michael meets Ashley everything changes. His focus turns to Ashley and how much he wants their relationship to be perfect, but is he ready when it seems like that relationship may be ending just as it begins? What will he do is Ashley doesn't see how perfect he is for her? Readers will watch Michael self-destruct, but perhaps he can still put himself back together.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan Jacobs' Self. Destructed. is a good read anyone who is currently in school, especially teenagers. It tells the heartbroken story of a boy in high school who made a bad decision due to his feelings. Now, he must pay for his actions.

[Ghslibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael can't believe Ashley wants to be with him. He's the luckiest guy in the world -- until Ashley changes her mind.

It takes some very tough lessons for Michael to realize that the only person he needs to impress is himself

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler alert!
I loved how the main character brought the gun to school it gave great suspense and lead in to how he got into jail. And because of a girl he liked! In the end he got over her and everyone at his old school which was a great improvement. This is an amazing book, top 10 in my opinion.

[Sharla Truelove-Albrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, I wish it had a little more depth to it.

[kerrycat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael can't believe that Ashley - beautiful, rich Ashley - wants to go out with him. They have a great few weeks spending time together, and he even gets up the nerve to kiss her. She makes him feel like he belongs, like he is connected. After he insults her taste in music, she turns to another boy and ignores him, and he feels suicidal. He takes one of his dad's guns to school with the intention of shooting himself in front of Ashley, so she'll feel bad about dumping him. He gets arrested and sent to jail instead, with everyone believing that he intended to hurt Ashley. This is a quick, easy read that focuses on Michael's confusion, his feelings, his thoughts as he deals with her rejection, his parents' coldness after his arrest, and his fear that his plans to go to college and become a pediatrician are lost. He realizes, after much thought and a few near misses that could have cost him his future for real, that he needs to accept himself and not count on others to validate him.

[David A]

i liked it it was a good book

[Robert]

i haven't gotten really far into my book but from what i read in my book i really like it, what i like about the book is i have some connection with it. i feel like i could finish this book because how the author tells the story i like how its in first person telling me how the author/ kid feels. i would recommend this book as of what i read because the story line is really good and whats its about.