Controlled

The Alternative

by Patrick Jones

Rachel's junior year is going to be perfect―she's taking AP classes, is first-chair viola, and is busy planning her college visits. Then Misty, Rachel's wild and unpredictable cousin, lands on her parents' doorstep and turns Rachel's orderly world upside-down. Rachel's family hopes enrolling Misty in Rondo Alternative High School will help with her behavior issues, but her rough past and reckless choices make her a force to be reckoned with. As Rachel gets pulled deeper into Misty's dark secrets, she’ll have to figure out if can she transform the uncontrollable Misty―or will it be Misty who transforms her?

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Patrick Jones is the author of five realistic teen novels, most recently Stolen Car((Walker / Bloomsbury, 2008). His first young adult novel Things Change (Walker & Company, 2004) was named by the Young Adult Library Services Association as a best book for reluctant readers, and was runner-up in the Teen Buckeye Book Award selected by Ohio teens. His second novel Nailed was published by Walker / Bloomsbury in spring 2006 and was a runner-up for the Great Lake Book Award. His 2007 novel, Chasing Tail Lights, is nominated for the Minnesota Books Awards. His most recent (and last) professional publication is Connecting with Reluctant Readers (Neal-Schuman, 2006). In 2006, he won lifetime achievement awards from both the Catholic Library Association, and the American Library Association. Jones is a frequent speaker at library conferences, having visited all fifty states, as well as in Canada, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Jones grew up in Flint, Michigan, but now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Read more at his web page www.connectingya.com, including FAQs about Things Change and Nailed (perfect for book reports!). NOTE: After a bruising experience with another author, he's limited his reviews on Good Reads to only raves as not to disturb the "fellowship" of YA writers.

Reviews

[Laura Swendig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick Jones "Controlled" tells the story of a young girl Rachel, who's aunt dies and her reckless cousin Misty is coming to live with her and her parents. Rachel is the perfect student, perfect daughter, and everything in her life seems to be going exactly how she plans. Then Misty comes along; the "up to no good" girl, who just can't seem to figure it out. Misty has had a terrible home life, with a father who's in jail, a drug addict and alcoholic mother, and a horrific past that's includes rape and other forms of physical and emotional abuse. When Misty is thrown into Rachel's perfect little life, she set fire to it. She tries to steal her two best friend, she convinces her crush to ask her to Homecoming out of pity, and her parents who used to have a perfect relationship, can't seem to go twenty minutes without fighting about the crazy teen they accepted into their lives with open arms. Misty misses classes, starts fight at school, has sex with a woman in Rachel's bed, destroys Rachel's sisters room where she is staying, yells, screams, and constantly has a violent guard up anytime she is confronted by Rachel's parents or any other adult for that matter. Rachel can't stand the absolutely chaos in which Misty has sent her life spiraling into. However, the most Misty begins to open up to Rachel, the more Rachel tries to let her in, and it's because of this that when the rest of the world seems to be abandoning Misty yet again, Rachel for the first time in her life, takes a stand. Misty might not be perfect, but Rachel may be the one person who understands that if anyone has had a rough go at life, it's Misty. In the end, both Rachel and Misty have evolved into different people, perhaps for the better, showing that all it takes is a little bit of respect and someone's faith in you, to help you be a better version of yourself, the version you want to be.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, yet it contained so much. I can't imagine some of the traumatic and heartbreaking experiences that Misty went through, but Jones does a great job at allowing the reader into both her's and Rachel's life to expose truths that others can't see. While it may seem like, in the end, Rachel finally reaches Misty and saves her from herself, what I loved about this book is that I definitely understood that they saved each other. Rachel had always been the good girl, who did everything her parents said, followed every rule and every direction, and even openly admitted to leading a somewhat boring life because it's the "safe choice", but Misty taught her that it's okay to be different, and have your own opinions. While Misty might not have been a good leader to follow in the footsteps of, Rachel learns so much about the power of true friendship, and trust, that help her to discover, for the first time in her life, her own voice. I love that both woman in this book help to lift each other up, when it would have been easy to have kept each other down. It tells the story of heartbreak, loss, abuse, friendship, trust, and love, and while these may be difficult topics to confront, they are things that young adults all around the world deal with every day. It's inspiring to read a story in which there are no clear lines between good and bad, but instead represents the idea that every person has something amazing to offer to the world, and if we all just took the time to listen and care, the world would be an incredible place.

[Wilson La · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was Rachel's last year of high school at Woodbury High. Rachel had perfect grades and already planned to visit colleges during springtime. However, after the death of Rachel's aunt, Molly, Rachel and her parents are left to take care of Aunt Molly's daughter, Misty. Misty was a belligerent and rowdy teenager, the polar opposite of Rachel, who attended AP classes and was one of the top violinists in orchestra. Rachel's family did not plan on leaving Misty in a foster home therefore, with strict order from her parents, Rachel had to set an example for Misty and to support with whatever necessary no matter how much Rachel retaliated against her parents.

Misty's transition to Woodbury, Minnesota was not easy for the family. Misty's disregard for other's feelings and troubled behaviour has had Rachel's parents consider taking Misty to psychiatric therapy or to Rondo Alternative, a high school for the troubled. At school, Rachel tries her best to distance herself from Misty but somehow, Misty worked her way to be a part of her social life and even joining her in outings with Rachel's friends. Although Misty causes a great inconvenience to Rachel, we see a progressive change in positivity as Misty reveals more about her past to Rachel.

I enjoyed reading, Controlled by Patrick Jones. One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was seeing Rachel's behaviour towards Misty change as she learned more and more about her troubled history. In addition, I enjoyed how the novel orchestrated a complete change in attitude towards Misty for both Rachel and Rachel's parents towards the end of the book. I would say a theme for this novel is to not judge a book by its cover. Although Rachel had initially despised Misty based on what others had told her, Rachel eventually learns that Misty is not who she had originally thought she was. I would definitely suggest this novel if you enjoy a novel about a troublesome teenager attempting to fit in to an ordinary, average family.

[Erica Sonzogni · Rating 4 out of 5]

When thinking about being a teenager, what comes to mind? Friends, drama and romance? Controlled includes all of these elements but adds a mental disorder in the mix too. Rachel, an A+, AP student, has always listened to her parents’ advice and followed rules. When Rachel’s father’s sister passes away from a drug overdose, her family takes in her daughter, Misty. Misty has many issues, including those with alcohol, drugs, sex, and behavior. Quickly, her behavior begins to change Rachel’s. She moves from school to school until Rachel’s family decides to take her to a psychiatric facility where Misty can be evaluated. When she is released and able to go back to Rachel’s family, they are hopeful but realize that Misty’s behavior has not, in fact, changed.
Controlled was a fast-paced, young adult novel that includes many relevant and important topics in which many teenagers face. Drugs, sex, and alcohol abuse are mentioned in every chapter. The chapters moved from event to event, skipping details in between that seem too important to leave out. For example, in one of the beginning chapters, Rachel’s family is discussing the potential of having Misty move in with them. In the next chapter, Misty is already living with the family and asking Rachel clothes advice. The transitions from each event were too quick and some crucial details could have been added in between. Overall, the storyline is dramatic and real, with important messages and issues that many teenagers encounter.

[Brooklyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was really easy to read, I flew through it in two sittings. it tackled tough things really well. I may have stopped reading if I had known Alix was a girl, but I found out Misty was lesbian at the end. but if you're comfortable with that, it'll be good for you.
major trigger warnings though.