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The Boomerang Effect
It all started with a harmless prank. But now high school junior (and resident stoner) Lawrence Barry is one step away from reform school unless he participates in a mentorship program. His mentee? Spencer Knudsen, a Norwegian exchange student with Spock-like intelligence but the social skills of the periodic table.
Then disaster strikes—Homecoming week. When someone dressed as the school Viking mascot starts destroying the fairy tale–inspired floats, all suspicion falls on Lawrence. Add to the mix a demon Goth girl named Zoe, a Renaissance LARPing group, an overzealous yearbook editor, and three vindictive chickens, and Lawrence soon realizes that his situation may be a little out of control. But Spencer seems to have some answers. In fact, Spencer may be the one friend Lawrence never knew he needed.
Then disaster strikes—Homecoming week. When someone dressed as the school Viking mascot starts destroying the fairy tale–inspired floats, all suspicion falls on Lawrence. Add to the mix a demon Goth girl named Zoe, a Renaissance LARPing group, an overzealous yearbook editor, and three vindictive chickens, and Lawrence soon realizes that his situation may be a little out of control. But Spencer seems to have some answers. In fact, Spencer may be the one friend Lawrence never knew he needed.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2016
25 people are currently reading
1038 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Jack
2 books56 followersGordon Jack always wanted to be a writer. In third grade, he put that on his “What I want to be when I grow up” list, just behind astronaut and professional dog walker. While working towards this goal, he had jobs as an advertising copywriter, English teacher, librarian, and semi-professional dog walker. The Boomerang Effect is his first novel. He lives in San Francisco with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
May 24, 2016
Absolutely loved this book! As it starts out, Lawrence is the typical burnout. Living a subpar life as a teenager and doing the bare minimum to keep from being shipped off to alternative school. The author does a fantastic job of showing the domino effect of making one poor choice after another. But Lawrence lands himself into somewhat of a community service and has to be a mentor to the foreign exchange student in the “Buddy Club.” It seems unlikely that this screw up will ever get his act together but underneath that stoner façade, Lawrence has heart and intelligence.
The most impressive part of the author’s writing is the strong character arc. You can’t help but root for this total screw-up, as he fumbles through the story to become a better person in life. The humor was so good (and dry, like I love it) and snowballed as the story progressed until I was cackling out loud up to the very end! The cast of characters and side stories unfolded and overlapped so well, it had you turning the pages to find out how every piece of this story was going to pan out for everyone. The male protagonist voice was probably one of the most authentic, and well done voices I’ve read in years. This story is full of humor and heart and the exploration of what a real friendship is. Whatever Gordon Jack writes next, I’m buying.
The most impressive part of the author’s writing is the strong character arc. You can’t help but root for this total screw-up, as he fumbles through the story to become a better person in life. The humor was so good (and dry, like I love it) and snowballed as the story progressed until I was cackling out loud up to the very end! The cast of characters and side stories unfolded and overlapped so well, it had you turning the pages to find out how every piece of this story was going to pan out for everyone. The male protagonist voice was probably one of the most authentic, and well done voices I’ve read in years. This story is full of humor and heart and the exploration of what a real friendship is. Whatever Gordon Jack writes next, I’m buying.
March 16, 2016
Am I the first review? I think I'm the first review.
This book is great! From the beginning, I was completely on board with Larry. He's a wannabe Ferris Bueller type--someone whose antics are supposed to be charming--but he never quite makes it there. And yet his vulnerability and confusion is exactly what sets him apart from other charming clowns. He's someone who feels like he's carved out a place in his school and who's created an identity, and yet there's something about it that's not quite secure. And when he quits smoking pot, in the wake of a major threat by the principal to expel him and send him to the alternative school, he finds himself lost. Almost instantly, his core identity is taken from him, and he becomes kind of a wanderer.
The book is anchored by the friendships he forms with his freshman mentee, Spencer, and with his former best friend, Eddie, as he attempts to guide both of them, in a big-brotherly way, to improve their lives. This is a character who could come off as really bombastic, because he thinks he knows it all, but he clearly doesn't, and often his advice is pretty ill-conceived. But he doesn't, because he has warmth and he has kindness.
It's also a pretty funny book, with really well-drawn characters, and a pretty gripping plot. I definitely wanted to know, throughout, who the masked prankster was. Definitely worth your time. Sad this is Jack's first novel, because if it wasn't, I'd be going out right now to buy everything else from him.
(NOTE: I received an advance copy o the book from the author, but that carried no expectation that I'd review it).
This book is great! From the beginning, I was completely on board with Larry. He's a wannabe Ferris Bueller type--someone whose antics are supposed to be charming--but he never quite makes it there. And yet his vulnerability and confusion is exactly what sets him apart from other charming clowns. He's someone who feels like he's carved out a place in his school and who's created an identity, and yet there's something about it that's not quite secure. And when he quits smoking pot, in the wake of a major threat by the principal to expel him and send him to the alternative school, he finds himself lost. Almost instantly, his core identity is taken from him, and he becomes kind of a wanderer.
The book is anchored by the friendships he forms with his freshman mentee, Spencer, and with his former best friend, Eddie, as he attempts to guide both of them, in a big-brotherly way, to improve their lives. This is a character who could come off as really bombastic, because he thinks he knows it all, but he clearly doesn't, and often his advice is pretty ill-conceived. But he doesn't, because he has warmth and he has kindness.
It's also a pretty funny book, with really well-drawn characters, and a pretty gripping plot. I definitely wanted to know, throughout, who the masked prankster was. Definitely worth your time. Sad this is Jack's first novel, because if it wasn't, I'd be going out right now to buy everything else from him.
(NOTE: I received an advance copy o the book from the author, but that carried no expectation that I'd review it).
December 18, 2016
This is a delightful read for teens, and even for adults, who, like myself, simply love to devour YA novels. This novel was polished off like a fine meal in four courses. I stuffed myself to the brim with Jack's humor, a surprise love story, genuine friendships, and most of all, a fun mystery journey that I could not put down. This book had a bit of everything in it, and I walked away from the table feeling very satisfied with the end, but wanting to read more! What happens next? Will there be a sequel? I certainly hope we see Lawrence again, maybe off in college next. Bommerang is certainly a page turner from beginning to end. The voice of Lawrence leapt off the page immediately, and I felt empathy for him and his evolving complex situation. I laughed out loud, I cringed, and kept hoping things would work out for our wannabe hero.
What I also enjoyed about this novel is how Jack knows high school students. He nailed the inner dialogue of a young male as well as the challenges he faces with drugs, friends, administrators, parents, and even new technology. Clearly, Jack's experience as a high school English teacher serve him well in conveying real high school life, awkward school situations, as well as very real friendships that can easily go adrift, shift, and then pick back up again. Finally, it is clear that Jack's young Lawrence embarks upon a hero's journey to find out who he really is, and what is so fun about it, is that even to Lawrence, it's a surprise what he finds within him.
What I also enjoyed about this novel is how Jack knows high school students. He nailed the inner dialogue of a young male as well as the challenges he faces with drugs, friends, administrators, parents, and even new technology. Clearly, Jack's experience as a high school English teacher serve him well in conveying real high school life, awkward school situations, as well as very real friendships that can easily go adrift, shift, and then pick back up again. Finally, it is clear that Jack's young Lawrence embarks upon a hero's journey to find out who he really is, and what is so fun about it, is that even to Lawrence, it's a surprise what he finds within him.
April 28, 2016
This is a very entertaining, funny story. The writing is clear, concise and thoughtful. It helps to fill the void of young adult fiction which is aimed at kids who want humor and action for a high school boy who is believable and recognizable. This lead character is one the reader will want to root for in that he is screw-up with intelligence and a solid sense of pessimism and self-doubt, yet finds his way to a better place.
December 14, 2016
This book was bananas! It was a ridiculous and incredibly funny story that had me laughing out loud. I can't remember when I've had so much fun reading! The first night I picked it up for a bit of bedtime reading and ended up reading 3/4 of the book. I finished it as soon as possible the next day because I couldn't wait to get back to the story. It was completely adorable and I loved it!
August 16, 2020
What stands out : The simple sophistication in the words of the title.
The Boomerang Effect: Attempting to do a good thing and it being mistaken as ill-meant and vice versa. This story is full of it!
Lawerence is your typical teenage guy, who is maybe slightly on the down low and tries to get his life back on track by doing things that just backfire on him.
Lawrence's parents want to be the mutually supportive kind but are very far off the mark; he wants to please his parents but what does please them doesn't seem to make him the happiest. He tries to fit in at school by being "normal", yet fails to understand how harmful it is.
His stoner friends don't consider him cool anymore after he sobers up. Reconnecting with his old friend by helping him get a girlfriend nearly ends up with a smear campaign against him.
Basically, his life is a mess and everything seems to be going against him as he tries to get it back on track. That is, until he becomes friends with the two totally not "normal" classmates and accepts that being a little weird is okay. Why, it is even fun!
Good writing, even though I felt like knocking the MC's head in, in the beginning. Really good character development and parent-child relationships shown and a satisfactory ending. This book certainly knows how make things realistic!
3½🌟
Buddy Read with E S B
The Boomerang Effect: Attempting to do a good thing and it being mistaken as ill-meant and vice versa. This story is full of it!
Lawerence is your typical teenage guy, who is maybe slightly on the down low and tries to get his life back on track by doing things that just backfire on him.
Lawrence's parents want to be the mutually supportive kind but are very far off the mark; he wants to please his parents but what does please them doesn't seem to make him the happiest. He tries to fit in at school by being "normal", yet fails to understand how harmful it is.
His stoner friends don't consider him cool anymore after he sobers up. Reconnecting with his old friend by helping him get a girlfriend nearly ends up with a smear campaign against him.
Basically, his life is a mess and everything seems to be going against him as he tries to get it back on track. That is, until he becomes friends with the two totally not "normal" classmates and accepts that being a little weird is okay. Why, it is even fun!
Good writing, even though I felt like knocking the MC's head in, in the beginning. Really good character development and parent-child relationships shown and a satisfactory ending. This book certainly knows how make things realistic!
3½🌟
Buddy Read with E S B
March 23, 2018
The Boomerang Effect is a good book to read for me because it has an interesting main character with an plot that keeps twisting.
It's a realistic fiction focusing on Lawrence who is trying to not get into trouble and be sent to the military boarding school, but someone is trying to frame him.
My favorite character was Lawrence, he goes through a lot of difficulties that try to hold him back. He stopped doing things like smoking weed, hanging out with his friends and has to help a new foreign exchange student just so that he doesn't have to leave his hometown. "And if Lawrence so much as breathes in a mouthful of secondhand smoke - pot or otherwise - or embarrasses himself or this school in anyways, he will be joining his friend Mr. Tran at Quiet Haven"(8). That's what the principle told him at the very beginning of the book. He had to jump through many hoops to be able to stay at his high school. At the end of the book they figure out who had tried to frame Lawrence and he will finally get to live with his whole family without thinking about not getting in trouble.
I enjoyed this book very much. I would highly recommend this book to many of my friends because he is very relatable to many people that I know
It's a realistic fiction focusing on Lawrence who is trying to not get into trouble and be sent to the military boarding school, but someone is trying to frame him.
My favorite character was Lawrence, he goes through a lot of difficulties that try to hold him back. He stopped doing things like smoking weed, hanging out with his friends and has to help a new foreign exchange student just so that he doesn't have to leave his hometown. "And if Lawrence so much as breathes in a mouthful of secondhand smoke - pot or otherwise - or embarrasses himself or this school in anyways, he will be joining his friend Mr. Tran at Quiet Haven"(8). That's what the principle told him at the very beginning of the book. He had to jump through many hoops to be able to stay at his high school. At the end of the book they figure out who had tried to frame Lawrence and he will finally get to live with his whole family without thinking about not getting in trouble.
I enjoyed this book very much. I would highly recommend this book to many of my friends because he is very relatable to many people that I know
August 20, 2018
Lawrence has been called into the principal's office again and is on his last chance before being sent to alternative school or military school. He decides it's time to get clean and shape up, but this ends up being easier said than done. After a failed attempt to help his friend woo the head cheerleader by using the school's Viking mascot, he now finds himself being set up for vandalism. But the mysterious Viking isn't done by simply defacing the principal's parking spot - it seems dead set on ruining Homecoming. Can Lawrence clear his name (and stay sober)?
Funny, with a realistically flawed yet charming main character, I really enjoyed this. Lawrence and his shenanigans will resonate with male readers, and the drug aspects were handled well.
Funny, with a realistically flawed yet charming main character, I really enjoyed this. Lawrence and his shenanigans will resonate with male readers, and the drug aspects were handled well.
August 13, 2020
This book doesn't fit into most stereotypes...
And yet it does!
Okay so while American high school scenarios which include homecoming, house parties and teenagers doing things, they aren't supposed to be doing, is all overrated, this book goes beyond it!
A character with whom you totally do not sympathise at the beginning, somehow manages to gain your approval by the end. While it does not mean he does a full 180 and become suddenly perfect, it's what makes it all the more likable.
I like Spencer possibly the most for his support and stability in moments when nothing makes sense and you think Lawrence is done for this time...
Most people may think this novel as average but I think in tough times like the present, you need a novel that gives you something to laugh about!
And yet it does!
Okay so while American high school scenarios which include homecoming, house parties and teenagers doing things, they aren't supposed to be doing, is all overrated, this book goes beyond it!
A character with whom you totally do not sympathise at the beginning, somehow manages to gain your approval by the end. While it does not mean he does a full 180 and become suddenly perfect, it's what makes it all the more likable.
I like Spencer possibly the most for his support and stability in moments when nothing makes sense and you think Lawrence is done for this time...
Most people may think this novel as average but I think in tough times like the present, you need a novel that gives you something to laugh about!
April 8, 2019
This book has really good writing. But the story does not make much sense. I would reccomend this to anyone who like non fiction life stories with happy endings.
January 9, 2017
Find this review, plus more, on my blog: Booklikes OR Blogger
Basic Info
Format: E-book
Pages/Length: 225pgs
Genre: Young Adult
Reason For Reading: Cover
At A Glance
Love Triangle/Insta Love/Obsession?: No
Cliff Hanger: No
Triggers: n/a
Rating: 4 stars
Score Sheet
All out of ten
Cover: 8
Plot: 7
Characters: 8
World Building: 8
Flow: 8
Series Congruity: n/a
Writing: 7
Ending: 7
Total: 7
In Depth
Best Part: Spencer's nerdy responses.
Worst Part: Nope.
Thoughts Had: Vampires vs Knights... could be something there!
Conclusion
Continuing the Series: n/a
Recommending: Yes
Short Review: I really wish Spencer was more involved in the story, he was nerdy, but a cute nerdy! The LARPing was a great add, Audrey's personalty from that made me super like her. There was a bit of boob talk but it's from a male POV and i have always encountered that when male POVs, so no biggie. I liked the side characters, Eddie cracked me up, and Dawn was legit nuts. Not much going on for plot, but it was still felt like it was moving, so overall a good book.
Misc.
Book Boyfriend: Eddie
Best Friend Material: Audrey
December 28, 2016
An enjoyable story about high school drama and antics, told from a male perspective, but I think the swears and drug references should have been minimized despite the intended older-teen audience. The humorous story moves along at a good pace, but all the plot lines get resolved extremely quickly right in the final few pages, rushing the end of what could have been stronger resolutions.
September 3, 2018
Come for the laughs, stay for the heart.
Do you love swag and snail mail? Gordon has tons of fun swag just for signing up for his newsletter (no purchase required but you should definitely preorder YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY). Check it out here.
Do you love swag and snail mail? Gordon has tons of fun swag just for signing up for his newsletter (no purchase required but you should definitely preorder YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY). Check it out here.
December 23, 2019
I made my library order this because I absolutely loved Your Own Worst Enemy and I need more of Gordan Jack's narrative voice in my head. Probably because it's so similar to my own voice in my head.
This one did not disappoint. I hope Jack is working on his next because I could read his writing all day.
This one did not disappoint. I hope Jack is working on his next because I could read his writing all day.
October 16, 2017
Perceptive, Funny, and High-Spirited
This book starts off very much feeling like a poor Andrew Smith "Winger"or "Stand-Off" wannabe. World weary but vaguely immature stoner with absent parents and girlfriend/friend/school issues makes smart-aleck observations about school and life while drifting around being judgmental and sour. Don't despair, though, because our hero has to be down and backwards in order ultimately to head up and forward. (Anyway, he's a funny enough immature stoner that you suspect right off that things are going to get better, and they do pretty quickly.)
After another epic screwup our hero, Lawrence, has been given one last chance at pre-reform school redemption as a buddy/mentor for a new young Norwegian exchange student. This kid, Spencer, turns out to be a deadpan Yoda in a bow tie, and the buddy comedy commences, (although the story is still pretty much Lawrence's).
Here's the best part. While Lawrence is good company who remains appealing even as the tale goes more and more off the tracks, every other supporting character is interesting and funny. Lawrence doesn't hog the best lines. Who remembers when manic oblivious Mom, distant Dad, exasperated Principal, best friend, girl of one's dreams, ex girlfriend from Hell, football bully, and Ms. Perfect cheerleader all and each had personality, style and bunches of funny lines of their own? That's what you get here, with antic characters to spare. (And a surprising helping of, get this, kindness.)
The book is set up well. We have the book length arc of Lawrence and Spencer. We have an action/adventure/mystery involving who is vandalizing the homecoming floats. But we also have literally dozens of short to mid-length scenes and bits of business that keep everything light and lively. (A vampires versus Renaissance LARPers rumble?) These throwaway segments can be touching or manic or just odd, but they punch up the book quite nicely.
So, no angst or kitchen sink drama, (although maybe a bit of edge here or there), this is more of a teen school daze rom-com, which was just fine by me. A happy and funny nice find.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This book starts off very much feeling like a poor Andrew Smith "Winger"or "Stand-Off" wannabe. World weary but vaguely immature stoner with absent parents and girlfriend/friend/school issues makes smart-aleck observations about school and life while drifting around being judgmental and sour. Don't despair, though, because our hero has to be down and backwards in order ultimately to head up and forward. (Anyway, he's a funny enough immature stoner that you suspect right off that things are going to get better, and they do pretty quickly.)
After another epic screwup our hero, Lawrence, has been given one last chance at pre-reform school redemption as a buddy/mentor for a new young Norwegian exchange student. This kid, Spencer, turns out to be a deadpan Yoda in a bow tie, and the buddy comedy commences, (although the story is still pretty much Lawrence's).
Here's the best part. While Lawrence is good company who remains appealing even as the tale goes more and more off the tracks, every other supporting character is interesting and funny. Lawrence doesn't hog the best lines. Who remembers when manic oblivious Mom, distant Dad, exasperated Principal, best friend, girl of one's dreams, ex girlfriend from Hell, football bully, and Ms. Perfect cheerleader all and each had personality, style and bunches of funny lines of their own? That's what you get here, with antic characters to spare. (And a surprising helping of, get this, kindness.)
The book is set up well. We have the book length arc of Lawrence and Spencer. We have an action/adventure/mystery involving who is vandalizing the homecoming floats. But we also have literally dozens of short to mid-length scenes and bits of business that keep everything light and lively. (A vampires versus Renaissance LARPers rumble?) These throwaway segments can be touching or manic or just odd, but they punch up the book quite nicely.
So, no angst or kitchen sink drama, (although maybe a bit of edge here or there), this is more of a teen school daze rom-com, which was just fine by me. A happy and funny nice find.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
December 13, 2018
One of my favourite YA school-set stories of recent times. Brilliantly funny.
Laurence Barry (don't call him Larry!) cares a lot what people think of him in his high school. Long known as a stoner and prankster, he's forced into turning this around after the threat of reform school is dangled in front of him. On top of this, he's pressured into taking part in a mentorship scheme, and paired up with a very smart but socially inept younger student, Spencer.
In trying to help his friends with various love-life dramas, Laurence's plans fall to ruins when the school mascot Viking head is stolen (a set of intertwining storylines you don't want me to go into) and Laurence is set up as the suspect for the 'Viking's' misdeeds. Can he find out who's behind the trouble, and maybe still sort out both his friends' problems as well as his own?
Totally off the wall at times, it's barmy fun, with wonderfully entertaining teenage characters that stand out from their literary peers. Laurence himself is a comic creation par excellence:
"Right now, I needed to impress her with my rugged manliness. 'Wanna see some origami?'"
But he's also endearing without realising it - left alone by his over-performing parents (who keep up with him via video calls, surveys and CCTV around the home), he develops over the course of the book from someone desperate to be liked to someone more self-aware:
"I always obliged any request to serve as taxi driver, pot dispenser, or cleanup crew. When I thought about it, most of my friends were kind of leeches..."
Laurence isn't the only character who will stay with me - I loved the absent/present parents, some of Laurence's female foils, Spencer of course, though he didn't appear as often as I wanted him to.
Madcap by the end, with a 'crazy chicken scene' (if this is your thing, also see 'Feral Chickens'), I would love to see this on screen. Lots of hilarious lines and situations, it's a hugely enjoyable teenage comedy with a thread of 'a moral' running through it, and an arc of development for Laurence.
I would look for more by this author, and recommend this to ages 13-16.
Laurence Barry (don't call him Larry!) cares a lot what people think of him in his high school. Long known as a stoner and prankster, he's forced into turning this around after the threat of reform school is dangled in front of him. On top of this, he's pressured into taking part in a mentorship scheme, and paired up with a very smart but socially inept younger student, Spencer.
In trying to help his friends with various love-life dramas, Laurence's plans fall to ruins when the school mascot Viking head is stolen (a set of intertwining storylines you don't want me to go into) and Laurence is set up as the suspect for the 'Viking's' misdeeds. Can he find out who's behind the trouble, and maybe still sort out both his friends' problems as well as his own?
Totally off the wall at times, it's barmy fun, with wonderfully entertaining teenage characters that stand out from their literary peers. Laurence himself is a comic creation par excellence:
"Right now, I needed to impress her with my rugged manliness. 'Wanna see some origami?'"
But he's also endearing without realising it - left alone by his over-performing parents (who keep up with him via video calls, surveys and CCTV around the home), he develops over the course of the book from someone desperate to be liked to someone more self-aware:
"I always obliged any request to serve as taxi driver, pot dispenser, or cleanup crew. When I thought about it, most of my friends were kind of leeches..."
Laurence isn't the only character who will stay with me - I loved the absent/present parents, some of Laurence's female foils, Spencer of course, though he didn't appear as often as I wanted him to.
Madcap by the end, with a 'crazy chicken scene' (if this is your thing, also see 'Feral Chickens'), I would love to see this on screen. Lots of hilarious lines and situations, it's a hugely enjoyable teenage comedy with a thread of 'a moral' running through it, and an arc of development for Laurence.
I would look for more by this author, and recommend this to ages 13-16.
September 19, 2019
I am giving this book 5 stars. The book had lots of funny parts and little humor parts that made you smirk and that's it but it would still make me want to read it because of those moments. Another thing that it had was it was realistic. It had what real high school has like the different people group and it also had the stereotypes like the perfect couple consisting of the head cheerleader and the quarterback of the football team. The other thing it had was really good characters. There was the protagonist and how he changed for the good and his abnormal friend who after time changed him and wasn't even realizing it. Then there was his other friend who joined the cheer team as a guy just so he could get closer with the girl that he likes. Those are some unique characters.
The funny parts in the story were all over the place. With Lawrence’s plans to get the viking, he messed up a lot and some of the fails got him in trouble and it would just make you laugh with how stupid they were. A quote that Lawrence quotes from Odyssey to say to his friend Audrey after she got mad at him did not go expected as it wasn’t really a good quote to use for the situation. “ Come then, put away your sword in its sheath, and let us two go up into bed so that, lying together in the bed of love, we may then have faith and trust in each other.”
The book also had realistic school groups and they also had some high school stereotypes in their as well. Dawn was that perfect girl and she was dating the starting quarterback of course up until Eddis wins her over. Lawrence’s old friends were the druggie group with always having their vape with them and also smoking weed when they had a good chance. They also had the main character working on the school newspaper, which a lot of tv show or movie high schools have along with the person in charge being a mean and bossy person.
The book also had some heart-filled characters. Eddie has completely fallen in love with Dawn and he sacrificed his reputation to get closer with her and even though she doesn’t really notice, he still tries. Spencer is also one of the weirdest kids in school and yet he doesn’t change to be more popular, he just stays himself and people start to like him for himself, unlike Lawrence starting to smoke and vape to become popular. Same thing with Audrey and her LARPing and even though that makes her look like a nerd, she just stays herself and Lawrence starts to like her because of that.
I would give this book 5 stars. The Boomerang Effect has really funny parts and parts that make you smile along with the realistic parts and the stereotypes of high school. The characters are also great and how they don’t change to become popular and they follow their heart and that is why I recommend reading this book.
The funny parts in the story were all over the place. With Lawrence’s plans to get the viking, he messed up a lot and some of the fails got him in trouble and it would just make you laugh with how stupid they were. A quote that Lawrence quotes from Odyssey to say to his friend Audrey after she got mad at him did not go expected as it wasn’t really a good quote to use for the situation. “ Come then, put away your sword in its sheath, and let us two go up into bed so that, lying together in the bed of love, we may then have faith and trust in each other.”
The book also had realistic school groups and they also had some high school stereotypes in their as well. Dawn was that perfect girl and she was dating the starting quarterback of course up until Eddis wins her over. Lawrence’s old friends were the druggie group with always having their vape with them and also smoking weed when they had a good chance. They also had the main character working on the school newspaper, which a lot of tv show or movie high schools have along with the person in charge being a mean and bossy person.
The book also had some heart-filled characters. Eddie has completely fallen in love with Dawn and he sacrificed his reputation to get closer with her and even though she doesn’t really notice, he still tries. Spencer is also one of the weirdest kids in school and yet he doesn’t change to be more popular, he just stays himself and people start to like him for himself, unlike Lawrence starting to smoke and vape to become popular. Same thing with Audrey and her LARPing and even though that makes her look like a nerd, she just stays herself and Lawrence starts to like her because of that.
I would give this book 5 stars. The Boomerang Effect has really funny parts and parts that make you smile along with the realistic parts and the stereotypes of high school. The characters are also great and how they don’t change to become popular and they follow their heart and that is why I recommend reading this book.
March 26, 2022
A well-done coming-of-age book is just so incredibly satisfying to read. Gordon Jack does such a good job of transporting the reader into Lawrence’s high school, populated with characters who are weird and over-the-top… but not implausibly so! Real high schoolers are, indeed, a weird bunch – busty LARPers, creepy (vampiric?) girls, knowledgeable nerds, nosy reporters, lovelorn male cheerleaders, and aspirational Bible-thumpers all feel like they could plausibly be walking in the halls of a high school. Sure, some of the characters may be heightened, but that only makes this funnier to read.
Lawrence’s narration is wonderful – a great mix of sarcasm, occasional (unexpected) pop culture references, and hyperbolic observation. He puts his foot in his mouth as much as any teenage boy, but never stops being an endearing protagonist to root for. I was also immensely relieved that, although the story opens with Lawrence quitting drugs, that was not the focal point of the story – rather, just another obstacle that often got in his way.
There is also a mystery that kept me engaged and guessing right up to the very end, and while I didn’t manage to guess whodunit, I am satisfied with the answer!
This book most reminded me, tonally and storywise, of Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie – and that is one of the biggest compliments I could pay to a young adult novel. Gordon Jack kept me laughing and rooting for these characters throughout this breezy read, and I will definitely be fondly revisiting this book over the years!
Lawrence’s narration is wonderful – a great mix of sarcasm, occasional (unexpected) pop culture references, and hyperbolic observation. He puts his foot in his mouth as much as any teenage boy, but never stops being an endearing protagonist to root for. I was also immensely relieved that, although the story opens with Lawrence quitting drugs, that was not the focal point of the story – rather, just another obstacle that often got in his way.
There is also a mystery that kept me engaged and guessing right up to the very end, and while I didn’t manage to guess whodunit, I am satisfied with the answer!
This book most reminded me, tonally and storywise, of Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie – and that is one of the biggest compliments I could pay to a young adult novel. Gordon Jack kept me laughing and rooting for these characters throughout this breezy read, and I will definitely be fondly revisiting this book over the years!
March 24, 2019
The boomerang effect is a social psychology concept describing how attempts to persuade others often result in them adopting the opposite stance—and Lawrence Barry is about to learn all about it. On the brink of expulsion, he decides to stop smoking weed and imbibing alcohol and start trying to be a better person (mostly to avoid exile at a military academy). This starts with helping out his clueless buddy, Spencer, acclimate to high-school life—how to be popular, how to look cool, and most of all, how to “be normal.” Unfortunately, the efforts only lead Lawrence to become the prime suspect in the vandalism of the school’s homecoming floats. It’s up to the two to figure out who is framing him and why. Jack’s impeccable comedic timing and ear for dialogue make this an irresistible, absurdist romp with a lovable Ferris Bueller–type raconteur at its center. Even so, Jack manages to explore serious topics like drug abuse, sex, racism, sexism, and ableism through an honest and multidimensional lens that teen readers will appreciate.— Suarez, Reinhardt. "The Boomerang Effect-book review." Booklist Online. 13 October 2016.
This is a newer YA voice who may appeal to teen guys and girls, but esp those readers who appreciate the sly satire of Gordon Jack, delivered in hilarious episodes of high school life that stretch the bounds of believabilty, but fun nonetheless because Lawrence is the perennial optimist that he can somehow clear his name, be the noble mentor to the newly arrived Norwegian Spencer, and resolve both his friend Eddie's and his romance issues. An Evergreen Book Award nominee.
This is a newer YA voice who may appeal to teen guys and girls, but esp those readers who appreciate the sly satire of Gordon Jack, delivered in hilarious episodes of high school life that stretch the bounds of believabilty, but fun nonetheless because Lawrence is the perennial optimist that he can somehow clear his name, be the noble mentor to the newly arrived Norwegian Spencer, and resolve both his friend Eddie's and his romance issues. An Evergreen Book Award nominee.
November 6, 2016
The Boomerang Effect is a hilarious tale of the events that occur when a burnout kid, Lawrence, tries to straighten his ways and finds all sorts of bad things coming at him. Firstly, Lawrence is a funny kid, in that he has this overactive imagination, which could also be due to the amounts of pot he consumes, and he is an entertaining protagonist. Some of the lines in the book had me laughing for quite a while. His predicament and the mystery of the Viking had me invested throughout the book. Secondly, the book is about being yourself, not bending to peer pressure, not creating harmful stereotypes and embracing the weird. Sure, it gets a preachy at times with the 'hugs not drugs' message, but it is overall an entertaining and hilarious read.
And now, some funny lines I just had to share:
Received a free galley from Harper Teen, via Edelwiess.
And now, some funny lines I just had to share:
Nothing he ate had any color. It was like his mom had killed his lunch and packed its ghost in Tupperware.
First he played good cop and offered me candy. Then he played bad cop and threatened to suspend me. Then he played Robocop and quoted California Education Code Section 32261 on school crime and violence. Then he sounded like Kindergarten Cop and told me how even principals have feelings and that his were hurt by the vandal’s act.
Maybe you should read my father’s letter,” I offered, pointing to the envelope on Stone’s desk. I had no idea what it said, but I hoped it was legalese for “quit hating on my son.”
Received a free galley from Harper Teen, via Edelwiess.
January 3, 2018
“It’s a term used by social psychologists to describe how a persuasive message can sometimes have the opposite effect of what’s intended.”
Ahhh, este libro fue demasiado gracioso.
Todo empieza cuando Lawrance se mete en problemas y el director amenaza con expulsarlo pero el psicólogo? de la escuela lo salva de eso y en forma de castigo lo mete en un programa del colegio donde tiene que ser el mentor de Spencer, un chico nuevo que viene de Noruega y entonces ellos—.
Realmente, no es ahí dónde comienza la historia. Aparte de Spencer, Lawrance tiene otros amigos. Eddie, un porrista y, un grupo de chicos que son mala influencia para él (ya que para encajar tiene que tomar, fumar, drogarse, lo que lo llevó, en un principio a ser un chico problemático) por lo que decide que tiempo de alejarse de ellos y enfocarse solamente en conseguir entrar en una buena universidad (por lo tanto, no ser expulsado del colegio, es decir, cumplir su castigo, es decir: ser mentor de Spencer) y pasar más tiempo con Eddie.
Eddie está como, MUY, loco por una chica del grupo de porristas y no sabe cómo pedirle que sea su pareja en el baile. Por lo que con Lawrance crean un plan, donde tienen que revivir a la mascota del equipo (VIKINGOS!) y de esa forma salvarle la vida, enarmorarla y después confesar que quien está dentro del disfraz es él. Todo marcha relativamente bien, hasta que Lawrance pierde la cabeza de la mascota y una ola de vandalismo ataca la escuela, donde el cuyo principal sospechosos es: Lawrance y tiene al director como un águila sobre su cabeza esperando a que de un paso equivocado y así expulsarlo.
Por lo que durante todo el libro, Lawrance va a tratar de probar su inocencia y atrapar a quien sea que lo quiere inculpar.
November 13, 2017
The Boomerang effect is about Lawrence Barry, who is almost expelled for misbehaving at school. They decide to not expel him, but if he does anything against school rules they will transfer him. The school's mascot is a Viking but no one has played the role of the Viking for a long time, but Lawrence decided that he wants to bring the Viking back so he, borrows the costume without anyone knowing but the coach. At the next football game, he gets into the Viking suit and goes to the game. At the game, he accidentally knocks over the cheerleaders and one of them gets hurt, he runs away and ditches the costume because if he is caught he will get suspended. Someone ends up stealing the costume and wearing it while they destroy floats for homecoming. The rest of the book is about Lawrence trying to find out who is trying to frame him. I would recommend this book to someone who likes to read short books, that are a bit funny. There is also a mystery aspect but it isn't very interesting, most of the book is centered around the events that take place while trying to figure out who is framing him. The parts of the book I liked were when there were major developments in the mystery plot, for example when he tackles someone who he thinks is helping the Viking but it turns out she is actually trying to catch the Viking. She ends up blackmailing him.
November 2, 2018
Jack Gordon’s realistic fiction Boomerang Effect, explores the life the troubled kid Lawrence Barry. He is about to be expelled for about the tenth time for a prank, when the last opportunity comes up for him. He doesn’t want to be sent to the reform school so he takes the mentorship, and is forced to take it seriously. His mentor Spencer Knudsen had just moved from Norway and although he is very smart he doesn’t have great social skills. When everything just starts going right for Lawrence, a kid dressed up as a Viking starts destroying the homecoming floats, and Lawrence is blamed. In order to take the blame off him and not get expelled he relies on Spencer to help him.
One thing that I didn’t like that although the main character made a great change still not a great person and nothing went right for him. It was disappointing to see him fail and fail again. I would have liked if he would have had some success in the middle of the book because it would excite the reader. It gets a little repetitive of him not succeeding time and time again. Additionally, Lawrence also is not the nicest kid to anyone and throughout the story, and he makes some bad decisions that make him hard to like. This story lacks a character that you care about deeply. While in this book Lawrence is a bad friend to almost everyone. Though I still think this book is a great read.
May 17, 2017
A fun, campy high school mystery. Favorite quotes:
Teenage boys aren't supposed to be enthusiastic about anything. We're supposed to snort and scoff and call things gay even when we secretly like making macaroni portraits of Katy Perry. Forget I said that.
I hadn't felt such a premonition of doom since I opened my PSAT packet and saw the word "ruination" staring back at me.
Where do we come up with phrases like "cold turkey" and "on the wagon" to describe sobriety? Seems like we should update these to better convey the agony of deprivation. Something like "I'm off the grid" or "I'm flying coach" would work better.
We rang the doorbell. Before anyone answered, I quickly untucked Spencer and ruffled his hair. "Trust me, dude," I said, when he grunted something. "Girls like to see something they can fix."
Teenage boys aren't supposed to be enthusiastic about anything. We're supposed to snort and scoff and call things gay even when we secretly like making macaroni portraits of Katy Perry. Forget I said that.
I hadn't felt such a premonition of doom since I opened my PSAT packet and saw the word "ruination" staring back at me.
Where do we come up with phrases like "cold turkey" and "on the wagon" to describe sobriety? Seems like we should update these to better convey the agony of deprivation. Something like "I'm off the grid" or "I'm flying coach" would work better.
We rang the doorbell. Before anyone answered, I quickly untucked Spencer and ruffled his hair. "Trust me, dude," I said, when he grunted something. "Girls like to see something they can fix."
July 1, 2017
Gordan id pretty new of an author I think. This is his first ever novel and. I really enjoyed it and thought it was fun. The characters are funny and its such a good lesson. Its a good story and the plot was cool. Ive never actually heard of the boomerang effect.
I like that Lawrence cleans himself up. He starts to think and let people help him. He goes from stoner kid to a nice guy. I like that its about helping for good. Rather than trying to force people to change to your image. Of what "cool" or "normal" is.
I hope he keeps writing and get a even betyer with his stories. First books are sometimes hard. Because you have to develope it and be original. As an author with a thousand other books out there. You want stand out and not be a normal typical story. Just like what this book is about. Not just being normal or cooler but being originally YOU
I like that Lawrence cleans himself up. He starts to think and let people help him. He goes from stoner kid to a nice guy. I like that its about helping for good. Rather than trying to force people to change to your image. Of what "cool" or "normal" is.
I hope he keeps writing and get a even betyer with his stories. First books are sometimes hard. Because you have to develope it and be original. As an author with a thousand other books out there. You want stand out and not be a normal typical story. Just like what this book is about. Not just being normal or cooler but being originally YOU
May 8, 2017
I had so much fun reading this book! For me, it had a very high giggles-per-page ratio. Lawrence is an unusual protagonist -- his lack of self-awareness is sometimes epic, yet always combines with an essential-but-clueless kindness -- and I generally felt like he was charming me despite himself. A former origami champion who has since embraced a burnout identity because it made him more popular, and also because it seemed to please his father, he's now emerging from that identity just as he emerges from the fog of being high around the clock. His encounters with a couple of unusual students, whom he initially tries to gift with his unsolicited tutoring on how to be more "normal," help him start to see who he might really turn out to be. I was rooting for him all the way.
January 9, 2018
A book that succeeds in being both humorous and reflective, The Boomerang Effect was a fun and enjoyable read. Lawrence is a funny and sympathetic character who grows significantly through the book. I appreciated that he suffered through several temptations to go back to his drug habits, even if they felt slightly superficial. Lawrence as a character may not be entirely believable as the popular, wealthy party boy reformed, but readers will appreciate his struggles to turn a new leaf while everyone around him is determined to pigeonhole him into his old roles. And it has a mad attack chicken... who doesn't love those?
Recommended for high school, boys, reluctant readers, readers who enjoy comedy.
Read-alikes: Carter Finally Gets It, Don't Get Caught
Recommended for high school, boys, reluctant readers, readers who enjoy comedy.
Read-alikes: Carter Finally Gets It, Don't Get Caught
October 27, 2020
3.5 stars = Good+
I got a kick out of Lawrence and the rest of his new friends in this, and I enjoyed watching them figure out who was framing him. (Although I was frustrated that it seemed the culprit would get off light in the end.)
This book is more about Lawrence - his family, his using and his sobriety, his need for a new identity and new friends if he's going to stop using, and about the threat of expulsion - moreso than about the vandalism at school and Lawrence being framed. But the school problems were a nice balance to the personal growth, making for a whole package I enjoyed. I would have liked more Spencer moments, but this isn't really his story as much as Lawrence's, so it made sense for the novel. (Language, drug/alcohol use)
I got a kick out of Lawrence and the rest of his new friends in this, and I enjoyed watching them figure out who was framing him. (Although I was frustrated that it seemed the culprit would get off light in the end.)
This book is more about Lawrence - his family, his using and his sobriety, his need for a new identity and new friends if he's going to stop using, and about the threat of expulsion - moreso than about the vandalism at school and Lawrence being framed. But the school problems were a nice balance to the personal growth, making for a whole package I enjoyed. I would have liked more Spencer moments, but this isn't really his story as much as Lawrence's, so it made sense for the novel. (Language, drug/alcohol use)
January 31, 2018
What a delightful cartoon of a book. At first, I wasn't too keen on the meandering writing and the lighter characterization (compared to what I usually read), but Lawrence (and Spencer, and Audrey, and Zoe...et al) really grew on me by the end. This book is very popular with my more on-the-fringe upperclassmen, and I can see why--it's a great story of how our inner-selves don't always match up with our outer-selves, and how being true to that inner-self can be life changing/affirming (Maybe image isn't everything?). I actually laughed out loud at a few passages. Highly recommend for those 17-18yo burnout boys who "hate reading."
October 15, 2018
I thought the book was pretty good. I especially liked the characters. They were funny and well thought out. I liked the contrast between the main characters because we can see two different toughts on the same thing. I liked the story and thought it was interesting. The best part about this book was how relatable it was. As a high school student, i could understand their problems because i was facing similar problems also. I think this is a good book and i would recommend it to a high schooler who likes funny and relatable books.
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