Cracks

by Mike Klaassen

Earthquakes. Caves. Drugs. Murder.

Sixteen-year-old Bodie McCann is on a youth-rehabilitation outing in the vast Ozarks of Arkansas when earthquakes rock the Mississippi River Valley. The adults are killed and Bodie finds himself stuck in the wilderness with four other troubled teens.

Bodie must draw on his survival skills, strength, and resourcefulness to deal with one obstacle after another in an attempt to escape the forest--and the other boys. Along the way, he discovers something about himself and a lot about.

Genres: Young Adult

184 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2005

About the author

Mike Klaassen writes thought-provoking and action-filled narratives about young protagonists confronting significant challenges. His works, including The Brute, Cracks, and Backlash: A War of 1812 Novel, display dynamic storytelling and compelling character development.

Driven by a passion for continuous learning and research, Mike delved into the art of storytelling, producing a series of insightful books about the craft of writing fiction. These books offer practical guidance for aspiring writers and illuminate the processes behind compelling storytelling.

Fusing his love for folklore with his skill in fiction, Mike initiated "Klaassen's Classic Folktales," a collection that retells ancient stories as novellas. Through this series, he breathes new life into time-honored tales, offering readers of all ages a fresh perspective on these enduring stories.

Reviews

[Chandra Claypool (WhereTheReaderGrows) · Rating 2 out of 5]

A big thank you to the author. I won this book in GR giveaway and he sent me not only this, but another of his books as well!

I give this 3 stars because it did keep my interest the entire way. It's a short book and an easy read. Reminiscent of lord of the flies (as any book with boys left to their own devices is a world of survival tends to be) and slightly reminiscent of Troop. Everything moved very quickly and Brodie survived a lot (I cringed at the bee scene). But it ended a little disappointing to me.. A bit rushed with a few questions.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that CRACKS by Mike Klaassen is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!

[L.D. Alford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nonstop action and adventure from Mike Klaassen

Cracks is a tight adventure novel that delivers nonstop action. If you are a fan of wilderness adventure, you will not want to pass by this strong older teen and young adult novel. It will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you with a lot to think about.

Bodie McCann is a lost cause and he is starting to figure that out. His life has led him through foster homes and juvenile detention, and his current scrape with the law has put him in a program of rehabilitation for juveniles. That program takes teens and gives them wilderness experiences to help them get their lives together. For Bodie, this experience begins with spelunking, and a major earthquake is just the beginning of his potentially life changing problems.

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot because it is a string of adventures that are best read and savored. This novel is hard hitting and doesn’t shy away from addressing drug use, human suffering, and youthful cruelty. It is a strong mixture of Lord of the Flies with a Deliverance-like driver. It will appeal to those who like a great read with tense situations. Mike Klaassen can be relied on to give the gritty side of life with a strongly redemptive message—get it.

[Energy Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bodie is exploring the caves in Arkansas as part of community service with some other at-risk teenagers. He's a teenager in the foster system with a great family, one in which he doesn't always treat the best. So when unexpected earthquakes start to hit the caves, Bodie bonds with the judge who stayed behind to help him. As the tremors get worse, the judge and every other adult leading the expedition are unexpectedly killed. Forced to have to work with these teens, things go from bad to worse. Bodie is faced with trial after trial, from digging himself out of rockfalls and caves to trying to survive underwater. His resilience is admirable, and the lessons he learns along the way are going to carry Bodie far in life. Cracks was a great book, a young adult thriller that has moments of great intensity. A definite one-sitting read.

[Nancy Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free through a Goodreads giveaway. I read it it when I first received it, but I failed to review it. I just reread it, and I hope to redeem myself now. This short book follows a group of young boys who are off on a hiking/caving expedition. They are all doing this in lieu of detention or incarceration. We see teen-aged malcontents at their worst. The main character, Brodie, does have some good qualities, and it is his very goodness that keeps him going. The language is a bit coarse, but then, these are teenage boys.

[Cws]

JF-Kla