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Rage
Brian Boozer is a good kid in a bad situation. At thirteen, he's already endured the pain of losing his father and the agony of living with a step-father who hates and abuses him. At school, Brian suffers even more torment, delivered by bullies who seem to enjoy making his life miserable. The only bright spot in Brian's life is Carly, the girl on whom he's had a crush for years. As his relationship with her evolves, so do the problems at home and the confrontations at school. A distressed Brian retreats further into himself, hiding behind the wall he's built as protection from the cruel chaos around him. Eager to be free of his troubles, Brian fights to be heard in a world that won't listen. A 60,000 word novel plus bonus material. For mature audiences only.
214 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
December 15, 2015
I don't think I've ever read a book like this one.
I kept promising myself I would just DNF it and calmly walk away. But then I thought I couldn't just let the book beat me like that.
I read some jacked up stuff. I should be able to handle this.
I think my mind has completely shattered.
But I did finish this sucker. I had to know how it would turn out. I'm completely stupid like that.
This book. It's brutal. If you have any triggers at all, just go ahead and run from it. Don't even be in the same room with it.
Brian is thirteen years old. His mom has re-married and you find out in the very first chapter just what kind of man she married.
Brian's story just starts there though. He is being terrorized at school by some neighborhood bullies. I mean terrorized. I've never actually gotten sick to my stomach reading a book until now. The things they do to him, and the way the author describes it.
Why the hell didn't I run?
This book never lets up. It is a shorter book, which is the only reason I made it through it. His abuse just gets worse and worse. He does have this girl at school who he somehow is able to develop a crush on and she is his only bright spot.
I really thought the author was just throwing everything she could into the book in order to shock at this point.
THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR THE KIDS!
This is not a book that I ever want to see a page from again either. So why am I giving it three stars? Because the damn world is an evil place and I'm sure that someone somewhere is going through something like this.
I just can't even.
When discussing this book with a friend, she told me that it made her period come early. I think my period packed it's bags and moved to Alaska to get away from me after putting it through this.
I'm done. Read this sucker if you dare. Let me know what you think.
I'm sending Jahy my evil flying monkeys to train. She has way bigger balls than I do.
I kept promising myself I would just DNF it and calmly walk away. But then I thought I couldn't just let the book beat me like that.
I read some jacked up stuff. I should be able to handle this.
I think my mind has completely shattered.
But I did finish this sucker. I had to know how it would turn out. I'm completely stupid like that.
This book. It's brutal. If you have any triggers at all, just go ahead and run from it. Don't even be in the same room with it.
Brian is thirteen years old. His mom has re-married and you find out in the very first chapter just what kind of man she married.
Brian's story just starts there though. He is being terrorized at school by some neighborhood bullies. I mean terrorized. I've never actually gotten sick to my stomach reading a book until now. The things they do to him, and the way the author describes it.
Why the hell didn't I run?
This book never lets up. It is a shorter book, which is the only reason I made it through it. His abuse just gets worse and worse. He does have this girl at school who he somehow is able to develop a crush on and she is his only bright spot.
I really thought the author was just throwing everything she could into the book in order to shock at this point.
THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR THE KIDS!
This is not a book that I ever want to see a page from again either. So why am I giving it three stars? Because the damn world is an evil place and I'm sure that someone somewhere is going through something like this.
I just can't even.
When discussing this book with a friend, she told me that it made her period come early. I think my period packed it's bags and moved to Alaska to get away from me after putting it through this.
I'm done. Read this sucker if you dare. Let me know what you think.
I'm sending Jahy my evil flying monkeys to train. She has way bigger balls than I do.
December 15, 2015
**** 5 PAINFUL STARS***
How do I explain a story that gripped my every human emotion, leaving this reader exhausted yet oddly grateful at the same time? My thoughts cannot begin to do this book justice. Brian’s story didn’t touch my heart. It touched my life.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started RAGE. I’ve read some of the authors previous work and decided to dive in blindly. Good idea? Not so much. The very first paragraph had me LIVID and the emotional roller coaster only intensified from there. This is not a story for the faint of heart. Half way through the book I had to put my kindle down and walk away. Twenty-five minutes and 3,000 calories later I couldn’t take it anymore, this nosey bitch had to know how his story unfolds..
Two very puffy- blood shot eyes,three boxes of tissues and countless profanities later, curiosity nearly killed this cat(me). For every parent out there who's ever felt they've failed their child, I ask that you read this book so you can see the true meaning of failure . . . Or don't , because I'm not paying for your therapy.
Regardless, I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS STORY.
How do I explain a story that gripped my every human emotion, leaving this reader exhausted yet oddly grateful at the same time? My thoughts cannot begin to do this book justice. Brian’s story didn’t touch my heart. It touched my life.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started RAGE. I’ve read some of the authors previous work and decided to dive in blindly. Good idea? Not so much. The very first paragraph had me LIVID and the emotional roller coaster only intensified from there. This is not a story for the faint of heart. Half way through the book I had to put my kindle down and walk away. Twenty-five minutes and 3,000 calories later I couldn’t take it anymore, this nosey bitch had to know how his story unfolds..
Two very puffy- blood shot eyes,three boxes of tissues and countless profanities later, curiosity nearly killed this cat(me). For every parent out there who's ever felt they've failed their child, I ask that you read this book so you can see the true meaning of failure . . . Or don't , because I'm not paying for your therapy.
Regardless, I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS STORY.
October 23, 2013
***** 4 1/2 Painful Stars *****
----WARNING----
Even though this is a story about a 13 year old boy in middle school, it is in no shape or form a book for Young Adults.
I didn't know what to expect when I first wanted to read this book. I added this book months ago after I read "Held" by the same author. I was blown away by "Held" but "Rage" floored me ----- absolutely floored me.
I was warned by several people to skip this book because I tend to be too emotional when reading certain stories, but I decided to trudge on and give it a try. And how happy I am about that, not because of "feel good" moments or a "happily ever after" but because it's REAL - 100% REAL.
The issues Kimberly brought to attention in this book was amazing - bullying in school, abuse by step-parent not only physically but also sexually, neglect from parent and ignorance from teachers.
This hit close to home and I think it may hit each one of us that reads a bit close to home since "bullying" is prevalent in our schools today. There are always children in the news either taking their own lives or the lives of others because of being pushed to enact some sort of "RAGE".
This is a story about Brian and how he copes on a day to day basis living the horrors of an abusive step-father in a home of negligence. His mother works 2 jobs just to keep alcohol flowing for her husband instead of putting food in the cabinets.
Brian not only lives with the horrors of home-life but also has to deal with bullies in his school. This isn't your everyday bullies either, the things this child has to endure are downright illegal and morbid.
He is failing school and there isn't one teacher who notices that something isn't right with Brian's mind or home-life. There is even a scene where the gym teacher is just in the next room where Brian is being beat up and abused by his bullies and the teacher never notices. He comes to school with bruises, broken ribs, cuts, scrapes and black-eyes and NEVER is this child called down to the counselor or reported to the authorities.
The only saving grace in Brian's life is Carly and her kindness towards him. Brian has had a crush on Carly since the 3rd grade and she continues to try to get him to admit to it. She finally wins him over and sticks by him giving him the confidence in himself to react back.
Finally, when it gets to be too much for Brian - he tries to reach out for help but time and time again during the course of a day, each teacher is "TOO BUSY" to listen to what he has to say. It is at this point where Brian has lost all hope.....
I just don't know what else to say about this book - by the time I got done reading it, I WAS ANGRY....so very angry at the bullies and his mom and at the teachers.
Where is the support system for these children??
Pick this book up if you dare and find out what really goes on with our children, maybe if you are a parent of a suspected bully - you can help do something. Maybe if you are a parent of child who's friend seems to be depressed and hiding something, you can take the initiative to try and help.
This book gives us the ammunition we need as parents to finally reach out and try to help!!
----WARNING----
Even though this is a story about a 13 year old boy in middle school, it is in no shape or form a book for Young Adults.
I didn't know what to expect when I first wanted to read this book. I added this book months ago after I read "Held" by the same author. I was blown away by "Held" but "Rage" floored me ----- absolutely floored me.
I was warned by several people to skip this book because I tend to be too emotional when reading certain stories, but I decided to trudge on and give it a try. And how happy I am about that, not because of "feel good" moments or a "happily ever after" but because it's REAL - 100% REAL.
The issues Kimberly brought to attention in this book was amazing - bullying in school, abuse by step-parent not only physically but also sexually, neglect from parent and ignorance from teachers.
This hit close to home and I think it may hit each one of us that reads a bit close to home since "bullying" is prevalent in our schools today. There are always children in the news either taking their own lives or the lives of others because of being pushed to enact some sort of "RAGE".
This is a story about Brian and how he copes on a day to day basis living the horrors of an abusive step-father in a home of negligence. His mother works 2 jobs just to keep alcohol flowing for her husband instead of putting food in the cabinets.
Brian not only lives with the horrors of home-life but also has to deal with bullies in his school. This isn't your everyday bullies either, the things this child has to endure are downright illegal and morbid.
He is failing school and there isn't one teacher who notices that something isn't right with Brian's mind or home-life. There is even a scene where the gym teacher is just in the next room where Brian is being beat up and abused by his bullies and the teacher never notices. He comes to school with bruises, broken ribs, cuts, scrapes and black-eyes and NEVER is this child called down to the counselor or reported to the authorities.
The only saving grace in Brian's life is Carly and her kindness towards him. Brian has had a crush on Carly since the 3rd grade and she continues to try to get him to admit to it. She finally wins him over and sticks by him giving him the confidence in himself to react back.
Finally, when it gets to be too much for Brian - he tries to reach out for help but time and time again during the course of a day, each teacher is "TOO BUSY" to listen to what he has to say. It is at this point where Brian has lost all hope.....
I just don't know what else to say about this book - by the time I got done reading it, I WAS ANGRY....so very angry at the bullies and his mom and at the teachers.
Where is the support system for these children??
Pick this book up if you dare and find out what really goes on with our children, maybe if you are a parent of a suspected bully - you can help do something. Maybe if you are a parent of child who's friend seems to be depressed and hiding something, you can take the initiative to try and help.
This book gives us the ammunition we need as parents to finally reach out and try to help!!
October 23, 2013
*****5 Heartbreaking, Gut-wrenching Stars*****
Wow....just....Wow.
A daunting, heartbreaking story of a 13 year old boy who lives everyday with being bullied and abused. His spirit is broken. He has no one. Not even his mother is willing to listen to him, love him, protect him.
He has been completely broken and shattered. He can no longer fight his hatred and his rage. Everyone has a breaking point.....Brian Boozer has surpassed that point and there is no return.
My heart hurt and went out to this boy. I hated that no one said anything or tried to stop the bullying and abuse. So many kids now days are too afraid to stand up to bullying. And so many kids suffer at the hands of bullies and abuse.
Take a stand...
Wow....just....Wow.
A daunting, heartbreaking story of a 13 year old boy who lives everyday with being bullied and abused. His spirit is broken. He has no one. Not even his mother is willing to listen to him, love him, protect him.
He has been completely broken and shattered. He can no longer fight his hatred and his rage. Everyone has a breaking point.....Brian Boozer has surpassed that point and there is no return.
My heart hurt and went out to this boy. I hated that no one said anything or tried to stop the bullying and abuse. So many kids now days are too afraid to stand up to bullying. And so many kids suffer at the hands of bullies and abuse.
Take a stand...
Want to read
June 25, 2017After reading Held, I'm a little nervous to read this.
But it's free. I can never resist free.
But it's free. I can never resist free.
November 16, 2014
4.5 devastating heart-wrenching soul gutting stars!!
I started this book at 8 pm and finished it in about 5 hours....no matter how many times i wanted to just give up and put it down i just COULDN'T i was hooked up wether i wanted or not!
No matter how many words i'd write,it won't be enough to express what i've felt....heart aching?! Devastating?! Misery?! Nu-hah not even close!!
What would make a person go on with the motion of his life when he's literally living in hell?!!
What would prompt a person to Live his next moment or take his next breath when all it would mean is just extending his suffering, his misery, his hell of a life which is full of hopelessness, helplessness, depression, humiliation .....moreover, there is no hope or help in sight?!
What would make a person have any hope in life when everything around him is black, when every body around him is either abusing, bulling, harassing him or turning a blind eye on what's happening to him?!
How can he be a normal person when every second of his day was filled with fear and terror?!
What if your life is a non-stoppable nightmare you could never wake up from?!
Would anybody in such a life miss him if one day he just drifted away?!
Would anybody even notice he has drifted away?!
Oh,yeah i think travis would notice when he wants his fill that will make him feel like he's the fucking man!
Oh, and i think Dominic would also notice, when he doesn't find his bunching bag that will make him feel like a big shot!!!
How much can a person endear before he snaps or finally shuting down mentally and physically?!
"he is an abused, mistreated and neglected boy who struggled his way through every day of his life."
He was just a sweet lovely 13 years old little boy longing for small things that we all take for granted!
He had endeared a lot of horrible things for a long time no normal person could take for that long!!
"For so long, I’d just been dragging myself through my life one day at a time. I hated every moment of every day. No matter where I was, at home or at school, I always wished I was at the other place. I faced the same type of enemy everywhere I was. I had no place in which to find comfort or solace."
"I was tired of crying. I was tired of having a reason to cry. I was sick of living a life where at every turn, someone was there beating me down, making me feel terrible about myself."
Through this hell of a life, thank God there was a ray of light......Carly was the light in his word of darkness...his only hope....she was like a breeze of fresh air to him!
"She was a bright spot in the dark world that was my life. She was the only one I had."
"If I hadn’t had you to give me a reason to go on, I wouldn’t have made it."
This story is a very significant, cruelly realistic story which put the spot light on one of the most dangerous social phenomenon and didn't hold back in showing all it's ugly sides, unlike the TV's soft censored material, which must be looked at with more intention and awareness to it's gravity!
I started this book at 8 pm and finished it in about 5 hours....no matter how many times i wanted to just give up and put it down i just COULDN'T i was hooked up wether i wanted or not!
No matter how many words i'd write,it won't be enough to express what i've felt....heart aching?! Devastating?! Misery?! Nu-hah not even close!!
What would make a person go on with the motion of his life when he's literally living in hell?!!
What would prompt a person to Live his next moment or take his next breath when all it would mean is just extending his suffering, his misery, his hell of a life which is full of hopelessness, helplessness, depression, humiliation .....moreover, there is no hope or help in sight?!
What would make a person have any hope in life when everything around him is black, when every body around him is either abusing, bulling, harassing him or turning a blind eye on what's happening to him?!
How can he be a normal person when every second of his day was filled with fear and terror?!
What if your life is a non-stoppable nightmare you could never wake up from?!
Would anybody in such a life miss him if one day he just drifted away?!
Would anybody even notice he has drifted away?!
Oh,yeah i think travis would notice when he wants his fill that will make him feel like he's the fucking man!
Oh, and i think Dominic would also notice, when he doesn't find his bunching bag that will make him feel like a big shot!!!
How much can a person endear before he snaps or finally shuting down mentally and physically?!
"he is an abused, mistreated and neglected boy who struggled his way through every day of his life."
He was just a sweet lovely 13 years old little boy longing for small things that we all take for granted!
He had endeared a lot of horrible things for a long time no normal person could take for that long!!
"For so long, I’d just been dragging myself through my life one day at a time. I hated every moment of every day. No matter where I was, at home or at school, I always wished I was at the other place. I faced the same type of enemy everywhere I was. I had no place in which to find comfort or solace."
"I was tired of crying. I was tired of having a reason to cry. I was sick of living a life where at every turn, someone was there beating me down, making me feel terrible about myself."
Through this hell of a life, thank God there was a ray of light......Carly was the light in his word of darkness...his only hope....she was like a breeze of fresh air to him!
"She was a bright spot in the dark world that was my life. She was the only one I had."
"If I hadn’t had you to give me a reason to go on, I wouldn’t have made it."
This story is a very significant, cruelly realistic story which put the spot light on one of the most dangerous social phenomenon and didn't hold back in showing all it's ugly sides, unlike the TV's soft censored material, which must be looked at with more intention and awareness to it's gravity!
August 29, 2013
*FIVE WELL DESERVED STARS*
Wow…What a compelling and gut wrenching story… Brilliant piece of writing Mrs. Bettes!
Wow…What a compelling and gut wrenching story… Brilliant piece of writing Mrs. Bettes!
February 27, 2014
This book did not end as I expected it to. Sadly, it ended more realistically. What a powerful, moving book about a young boy who has endured years of abuse by his good-for-nothing stepfather, neglect by his mother, bullying by his peers and failure by his teachers. It is a heartbreaking story and a fictitious one, thankfully. But it could easily tell the tale of hundreds, if not thousands of children who suffer similarly. What will happen when they reach their breaking point?
This book should seriously be required reading for educators and school administrators. While those people are mandated reporters of suspected abuse, how many of them choose to turn a blind eye to it, to bury their heads in the sand so that they don't have to get involved? This book is a wake up call for awareness of a very serious problem plaguing schools throughout the nation.
How do we allow children to slip through the cracks like that? This book is depressing, yes, but delivers a strong message about the need for greater oversight and child advocacy in schools. I applaud Kimberly Bettes for writing such an amazing story. I will definitely be spreading the word about it.
June 29, 2012
The only thing I can think of to say about this novel is: WOW. This has to be one of the most intense, emotional, and horrific books I've ever read.
I know how Brian felt to be going through those horrible things, alone and scared, because I was bullied in school too, but never to the extent Brian had to endure.
The thing I learned most from reading this is never to take anything for granted, and if you have children, treat them with the respect and love they deserve.
It's a sad story, and left me feeling sick, horrified and angry all rolled into one because the sad truth of the matter is that the things Brian endures happen all too often in the real world.
SPOILER ALERT:
I dislike when people give spoilers in reviews and I do not do it myself; however, I must make an exception:
When I got to the part near the end with his mother standing outside the bedroom door watching what was going on, I almost quit reading because I was crying so hard. That was one of the toughest, horrific things I've read in quite some time.
Even sitting here writing this, I'm still emotional thinking about the story.
I know how Brian felt to be going through those horrible things, alone and scared, because I was bullied in school too, but never to the extent Brian had to endure.
The thing I learned most from reading this is never to take anything for granted, and if you have children, treat them with the respect and love they deserve.
It's a sad story, and left me feeling sick, horrified and angry all rolled into one because the sad truth of the matter is that the things Brian endures happen all too often in the real world.
SPOILER ALERT:
I dislike when people give spoilers in reviews and I do not do it myself; however, I must make an exception:
When I got to the part near the end with his mother standing outside the bedroom door watching what was going on, I almost quit reading because I was crying so hard. That was one of the toughest, horrific things I've read in quite some time.
Even sitting here writing this, I'm still emotional thinking about the story.
September 3, 2013
I really don;t know what to say about this book. It made me bawl. It broke my heart, shattered it, and put me through the emotional wringer so many times that I came out feeling like a limp, boneless heap. This story is so raw, real, and gut-wrenching, and the author doesn't hold back. You experience every single heartache, disappointment, and anguish poor Brian does. You experience the brief twinges of hope, the flashes of light and love Carly inspires, only to have them ripped away time after time.
It's soul-crushing to think--to KNOW these kinds of things happen all too often every damn day. I wanted nothing more than to wrap this little boy up, hug him, and give him a good home. UGH..and it wasn't just his "mother" that failed him. (I wanted to strangle that pathetic excuse of a woman.) It was the school, the system, everything. He was a lost and broken soul who slipped through the cracks and the consequences were just...I lived with a box of Kleenex while reading this book and long afterward.
I've read two of Kimberly's books so far, and I have to say, she does NOT disappoint. Each one has been a visceral experience that left me breathless, shaking, and drained. They might be hard subjects to handle, but she knows how to plunge the reader into the thick of her stories and make them FEEL--for better or worse. I'm definitely a fan!
It's soul-crushing to think--to KNOW these kinds of things happen all too often every damn day. I wanted nothing more than to wrap this little boy up, hug him, and give him a good home. UGH..and it wasn't just his "mother" that failed him. (I wanted to strangle that pathetic excuse of a woman.) It was the school, the system, everything. He was a lost and broken soul who slipped through the cracks and the consequences were just...I lived with a box of Kleenex while reading this book and long afterward.
I've read two of Kimberly's books so far, and I have to say, she does NOT disappoint. Each one has been a visceral experience that left me breathless, shaking, and drained. They might be hard subjects to handle, but she knows how to plunge the reader into the thick of her stories and make them FEEL--for better or worse. I'm definitely a fan!
June 22, 2012
I just started reading this book (only at 11%) but PAGE ONE got me hooked. This book is about a young male student that is sexually molested by his step-father. Pitiful...
This was a sad fictional story about what could happen when we turn our backs on our children. This 13 year old boy was molested regularly by his step-father, his mother worked long hours and basically ignored everything, and he was bullied in school.
I wanted this little boy to get his revenge in the end. Depending on how you look at it, he did.
I could not put this book down! It was like a bad car accident. You know you should not be looking but you can not look away. Reading this book made me sad, tearful and shocked.
This was a sad fictional story about what could happen when we turn our backs on our children. This 13 year old boy was molested regularly by his step-father, his mother worked long hours and basically ignored everything, and he was bullied in school.
I wanted this little boy to get his revenge in the end. Depending on how you look at it, he did.
I could not put this book down! It was like a bad car accident. You know you should not be looking but you can not look away. Reading this book made me sad, tearful and shocked.
March 1, 2013
This was the most emotionally draining book I have ever read. Every page is a tear jerker. A must read but not for the faint of heart! It is a tragic story of a 13 year old boy who lost his father at age 6. His mother remarried a year later, but she is never around because she works double shifts, so he is left with the step father who sexually, physically and emotionally abuses him since he was 8. He's bullied at school and ignored by his teachers. As his life spirals out of control, his anger eventually turns to rage. Though this is a fictional story, this unfortunately, happens every day.
August 2, 2013
Wow where do I begin. This novel was not what I expected. First let me say that if you are easily offended/shocked by stories of abuse, this probably isn't the book for you. You will definitely need a thick skin to read this. However I must say that this should be a must read on your list. Without giving up to much of the story, this book sheds light on a very dark subject matter. There were moments I wanted to cry and wished I could jump into the story to help Brian. then there were moments I found myself angry because there is so much truth behind the words. In the end I was left shocked even though I sensed the outcome.
I can only hope that when you finish reading this book you are left with a feeling of empathy and courage and promise yourself that if ever you come upon a situation where a child is in need you will do the right thing. The first step of change is action not inaction.
I can only hope that when you finish reading this book you are left with a feeling of empathy and courage and promise yourself that if ever you come upon a situation where a child is in need you will do the right thing. The first step of change is action not inaction.
April 17, 2024
Wow, what a gut reaching, emotional, heartbreaking story! While the characters may be fictional, sadly, bullying is all too real, and this story didn't end how I hoped!
March 28, 2012
In Kimberly A. Bettes novel "Rage," 13-year-old Brian Boozer's life is horrific. His alcoholic step-dad is a child-beater and molester who sucks down the money Brian's double-shift working mother brings home so efficiently that Brian has little in his life to live on. His situation at school is no better, dealing with small pack of sadistic bullies. Save for one girl who gives him the time of day for reasons not entirely clear, Brian is alone to face the world bereft of any adult or child willing to look past the physical and emotional abuse and scars to give him a hand up. Therein lies the positive and negative aspects of this story.
In an effort to show the terrible nature of bullying, along with the ultimate final betrayal, "Rage" is relentless in its anti-bullying message by any member of society on another. It is a great instructional tool on how one exists and then drowns in a world in which no child should live. Kudos. The effort to show the negativity of bullying, however, provides no inkling as to the means in which readers could/should curtail such situations in their life. One could argue that Bettes doesn't have the responsibility to provide or hint at answers to the bullying dilemma in telling Brian's story, but the abrupt ending made the story feel incomplete, as though no answers exist, and that the people in this story learned nothing, making it a double tragedy. No one grew; no one changed. He is a victim in the beginning, middle, and end. All are villains in the beginning, middle, and end.
The story is well-written. The spiraling downward trail of events believable. It certainly built my rage, including at times towards Brian, who seems well aware of the events unfolding around him, but still backs off taking the baby steps necessary to curtail his personal hell. It's a solid read about a difficult subject matter that some readers may not finish, but should. It is a well done "4."
In an effort to show the terrible nature of bullying, along with the ultimate final betrayal, "Rage" is relentless in its anti-bullying message by any member of society on another. It is a great instructional tool on how one exists and then drowns in a world in which no child should live. Kudos. The effort to show the negativity of bullying, however, provides no inkling as to the means in which readers could/should curtail such situations in their life. One could argue that Bettes doesn't have the responsibility to provide or hint at answers to the bullying dilemma in telling Brian's story, but the abrupt ending made the story feel incomplete, as though no answers exist, and that the people in this story learned nothing, making it a double tragedy. No one grew; no one changed. He is a victim in the beginning, middle, and end. All are villains in the beginning, middle, and end.
The story is well-written. The spiraling downward trail of events believable. It certainly built my rage, including at times towards Brian, who seems well aware of the events unfolding around him, but still backs off taking the baby steps necessary to curtail his personal hell. It's a solid read about a difficult subject matter that some readers may not finish, but should. It is a well done "4."
October 13, 2017
Wow! This book was difficult to read but really did an excellent job making the reader understand one possible reason for teen violence. I felt so many different emotions about what was happening to Brian. I'm quite sure that there is a Brian Boozer in every school in the USA! I totally and completely felt his desperate need to tell someone after his Mom ignored the situation. As an educator I was totally horrified that every teacher, counselor, and adult blew him off. I thought more than once: How dare they? Honestly, I didnt expect the ending, but wasnt surprised. I felt Brian did the only thing he could to save himself. I was so sad that he took his life in the end because it truly made me believe that Brian was a good kid and truly felt bad for his actions. The thing that blew me away was the author's post script! How true to real life it was, it made me sad but gave me hope.
July 18, 2013
I sit here and try to calm myself after reading this shocking insight into what truly can come about from abuse/bullying. Brian may be a fictional character but the details of how bullying at school, and his over abusive step father churned out in this book, make a compelling statement that although only 13.. ones mind can become dark after too much punishment. I myself have 4 beautiful kids and to think something like this could of ever happened to them makes my stomach swirl.
This book is not for the weak minded and stomached. I don't recommend it for those 17 and under due to the rape content. Not that I don't think children should be aware, but this really sticks in your head.
I give this 5stars plus, as I'm sure it was a long saddened journey to write.
This book is not for the weak minded and stomached. I don't recommend it for those 17 and under due to the rape content. Not that I don't think children should be aware, but this really sticks in your head.
I give this 5stars plus, as I'm sure it was a long saddened journey to write.
August 3, 2013
How does one even begin to write a review for this story? It is a story that is very difficult to read...yet you are riveted in disbelief and unable to stop reading. This story tore me up in ways that I can't even begin to explain. It's a story of a boy who has been abused at home and bullied at school. Brian is now 13, yet feels he is helpless to stop the horrors that have continued to happen to him since he was 8 years old. This story is fiction, yet bullying and abuse happens every day in real life. If a child comes to you EVER and says they need to tell you something, you, as an adult, have a responsibility to LISTEN to them. Hear them. Never ignore them.
My heart aches for the "Brians" of this world.
My heart aches for the "Brians" of this world.
May 8, 2012
A very difficult book to read. The abuse, torture, neglect and bullying Brian goes through is horrendous and very disturbing. Adding insult to injury is his mothers response; made me physically ill. What I will take from this is ALWAYS make time to be sure your children and any children whose lives you impact know they can come talk to you anytime and you WILL make time for them. All children deserve that security and safe haven. I'd hoped for a better outcome for this character, however it didn't happen. Everything went from bad to worse and the ending was awful. Very disturbing, difficult to read and hard to forget.
July 27, 2012
What a heartbreaking story this was. It's the story of 13 year old Brian who is horribly abused both at home and at school. I rooted for him the whole book and really wanted him to stand up for himself, but was shocked by the manner that he chose to do so. I was very disappointed at the ending, however. This is the second book I've read by this author and although the books were very different in terms of content, I really like her style and I think she chose the perfect genre. I recommend this book but it's not for the squeamish or the faint of heart.
July 27, 2012
This is my first book by this author. I came across this book, and the title instantly pulled me in. I am glad that I read this book. It shows how much an effect bullying has on people. Even though this story was fiction, people all over are experiencing this as I sit and write this. It is an eye opener, and it lets me know that something has to be done about it. I loved the main character of this story, because despite all of the pain he was going through he kept getting up, until he couldn't fight through it anymore.
July 26, 2013
Very disturbing book. I was sick to my stomach reading this. It was a very difficult read because of the content. Reader beware its not for everyone. You will cry, you will be sickened and feel helpless, you will feel angry, and most of all be disgusted with the human race. While this is a work of fiction it could happen and it does happen. So many signs that this boy was in danger and no one cared enough to help. People are so wrapped up in their own lives it makes me sick
June 17, 2014
This book was awesome and made me sad for all the kids out there like Brian who suffer in these ways and its harder when you can relate to the situation yourself.
Fantastic book with a great insight into the child POV and a well worded author note Kimberly makes a excellent point.
Fantastic book with a great insight into the child POV and a well worded author note Kimberly makes a excellent point.
September 2, 2013
Review To come :((
July 11, 2019
EXTREMELY hard to read at times. This is an all-too-real seeming portrait of a young boy living an unthinkable life. I legitimately found myself clenching muscles and feeling uneasy throughout. Having just read the Held trilogy, Ms. Bettes is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.
October 1, 2013
NOTE: I was unable to finish this novel. I read to about 40% before giving up. I flipped though every few pages to about 60% though, and while there were changes in the plot the quality stayed the same.
I do not stop reading a book easily, but I found the language used was poor throughout, it reads more like a witness report to the police. The main character would say "I felt ashamed" or something along these lines, but there was no physical action to represent this.
The novel leaned heavily on repeated scenes of rape, as well as unrealistic bullying that was never picked up by teachers (dead animals in his locker, head shoved into a toilet full of diarrhoea, kidnapped from directly behind a teacher he was following to a meeting, but the teacher never found him etc) as a means to draw the reader in, as opposed to the emotional and reactions. From my skimming ahead while some of these aspects may be gone there are just new ones to replace them.
If this was written as an attempt to gain awareness of bullying and child abuse then I hail the writer for wanting to help, however I feel this is a poor example that would do far more harm than good, and especially in the hands of a youth it could be seen as a fear mongering device.
I do not stop reading a book easily, but I found the language used was poor throughout, it reads more like a witness report to the police. The main character would say "I felt ashamed" or something along these lines, but there was no physical action to represent this.
The novel leaned heavily on repeated scenes of rape, as well as unrealistic bullying that was never picked up by teachers (dead animals in his locker, head shoved into a toilet full of diarrhoea, kidnapped from directly behind a teacher he was following to a meeting, but the teacher never found him etc) as a means to draw the reader in, as opposed to the emotional and reactions. From my skimming ahead while some of these aspects may be gone there are just new ones to replace them.
If this was written as an attempt to gain awareness of bullying and child abuse then I hail the writer for wanting to help, however I feel this is a poor example that would do far more harm than good, and especially in the hands of a youth it could be seen as a fear mongering device.
July 29, 2013
What an emotional roller coaster. While reading this, I did in fact feel the rage building inside the main character, Brian. This book takes the reader inside the mind of child that is being abused, sexually, mentally and physically by his step-father and then bullied at school by his classmates. This story will stay with me for some time.....tragic by all means.
September 6, 2012
This was a dark book..the kind that kinda makes you sick at the same time that you just can't put it down.
June 15, 2014
I read almost nonstop.. Had me from open to close..
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