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A Bloody Book
How long does a lost child hold onto hope?
"When did you stop caring? Go into any kindergarten classroom and ask those kids how many want to become readers. All hands go up. They keep them up until you give them some eye contact because they want you to know that they are well on their way to becoming readers. And now you're all in this remedial class with your failing grades and bad reputations. So, when did you all stop caring?" No one, dear reader, is prepared for Maxx's answer or his chilling tail of death, struggle, and murder.
An ideal mystery book for boys ages 12-14.
"When did you stop caring? Go into any kindergarten classroom and ask those kids how many want to become readers. All hands go up. They keep them up until you give them some eye contact because they want you to know that they are well on their way to becoming readers. And now you're all in this remedial class with your failing grades and bad reputations. So, when did you all stop caring?" No one, dear reader, is prepared for Maxx's answer or his chilling tail of death, struggle, and murder.
An ideal mystery book for boys ages 12-14.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2016
8 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 7, 2019
Let me start by saying, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Chris Bowen tells a story of Maxx, a young thirteen-year-old boy who has had every disadvantage going for him. His teachers have all but given up on him. He father is dead, and his mother has run out on him and his sister. The book is told from Maxx’s point of view. We first meet Maxx in his “Reading Hell” class. We learn about his upbringing and why he is in this particular class.
I think what I liked so much about this book, is that Chris Bowen really makes you think. It makes you think how the system is in a lot of ways broken. Maxx is lumped into this class with other kids who have had the same disadvantages as he did, and then were sort of forgotten about. This in turn makes these children no longer care about reading and school. They think if no one cares about them and how they are doing in school, why should they.
Then we are introduced to Mr. Foxx. He is the new teacher for the “Reading Hell” class. Mr. Foxx makes the kids think and realize that there was a time that they cared about reading and learning. So, what stopped it. For every one of those kids there was a moment where they decided to not care anymore. For each kid it’s different. He makes them see that they need reading and math to survive past high school. His methods are not typical for a teacher, but in this instance, I think it works. He gives the gives a reality check of where their lives are headed if they continue on the way they are.
As we get more into the book, we focus on Maxx in particular. We learn that his father is an addict and abusive and that Maxx is the one who primarily takes care of his two-year-old sister, Rosie. We learned what happened that shaped Maxx into the teenager that didn’t care about anything or anyone. The kid who fought because that was the only way to push down the hurt and the pain.
This book was extremely well written. We see the world through Maxx’s eyes and I think that just makes the book that much more powerful. I loved this book. I was engaged in in from the first sentence and am so glad I read it. The twists at the end I was not expecting and it gives another layer to this extraordinary book. Very rarely do I read a book, and am still thinking about it days later. This is one of those books. I rate this a 5 out of 5 stars. If I could give it higher I would. I will be on the lookout for anything else Chris Bowen writes because he has an exceptional way of storytelling.
I think what I liked so much about this book, is that Chris Bowen really makes you think. It makes you think how the system is in a lot of ways broken. Maxx is lumped into this class with other kids who have had the same disadvantages as he did, and then were sort of forgotten about. This in turn makes these children no longer care about reading and school. They think if no one cares about them and how they are doing in school, why should they.
Then we are introduced to Mr. Foxx. He is the new teacher for the “Reading Hell” class. Mr. Foxx makes the kids think and realize that there was a time that they cared about reading and learning. So, what stopped it. For every one of those kids there was a moment where they decided to not care anymore. For each kid it’s different. He makes them see that they need reading and math to survive past high school. His methods are not typical for a teacher, but in this instance, I think it works. He gives the gives a reality check of where their lives are headed if they continue on the way they are.
As we get more into the book, we focus on Maxx in particular. We learn that his father is an addict and abusive and that Maxx is the one who primarily takes care of his two-year-old sister, Rosie. We learned what happened that shaped Maxx into the teenager that didn’t care about anything or anyone. The kid who fought because that was the only way to push down the hurt and the pain.
This book was extremely well written. We see the world through Maxx’s eyes and I think that just makes the book that much more powerful. I loved this book. I was engaged in in from the first sentence and am so glad I read it. The twists at the end I was not expecting and it gives another layer to this extraordinary book. Very rarely do I read a book, and am still thinking about it days later. This is one of those books. I rate this a 5 out of 5 stars. If I could give it higher I would. I will be on the lookout for anything else Chris Bowen writes because he has an exceptional way of storytelling.
April 18, 2018
Absolute page-turner. Maxx, our main character, tells a story in such personal terms that I felt as if he was speaking to me alone. Though the book focuses on the darker side of childhood, the narrator's hope somehow consistently shines through. I read the book in one sitting. It was just that difficult to put down.
March 10, 2023
I was expecting more blood. The title to me was very deceiving. That being said it was a very interesting story told from the perspective of a 13 year old. It does go over some sensitive topics though. I would give it a PG-13 movie rating if that helps anyone out.
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December 19, 2017"The Bloody Book" by Mr. Bowen is the most hilarious but heartwarming I have read in a long time! I could almost relate the whole entire book to myself through out almost the whole thing. It touched me! I would absolutely recommend this book to a friend or classmate or anyone who is looking for a good book to read. this book is not a series but if it was i would totally keep on reading. Not only did it touch my heart, but it made me cry at how hard I laughed. I remember my mom asking if I was ok at one point!!!!!!!!!
October 20, 2017
I reserve a five star rating for books that are truly transformative. They may not transform the world but they get me to think in a more positive and productive way. And on that basis this book deserves six stars. (I will explain how I got back to four stars in a minute.)
Chris Bowen is a teacher—an exceptional teacher, to be sure—and writes this book through the eyes of a disadvantaged young boy, Maxx; the son of a chronically unemployed, drug-addicted, abusive father and a mother who is ultimately overwhelmed by her circumstances. Maxx, not surprisingly, is singled out by the education system, lumped together with the other disadvantaged kids, and largely ignored. Everyone has given up on them.
Except Mr. Foxx, the new teacher of the “Reading Hell” class. Over time Mr. Foxx restores the students’ pride through candor coupled with favorable expectations. The value system that the children have adopted as a coping mechanism for their life circumstances gets turned on its head and the desire to learn is ultimately reawakened.
It’s a book about accountability, for sure, but it is accountability with purpose. And it is a purpose driven by pride, not a purpose driven by material desires and needs. It is a humane purpose in a world driven by false gods and fallacious standards of accomplishment.
The book is superbly written and the best sign of that is that you will surely laugh out of context. Maxx is the everyperson. He is you and me and everyone else.
For in the end we are all disadvantaged in some way. We all suffer. Maybe it’s an addiction, loneliness, a lack of life purpose, or the general sense that we’re rowing around aimlessly in a sea of futility. If so, this book is for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re thirteen or sixty-three, like me. This story is full of wit and hope.
In the end, however, the last third of the book came back to earth. While the first two-thirds of the book was a group narrative, the final third focuses on the particular story of Maxx himself. And, in the end, Mr. Bowen didn’t quite get it over the finish line before I found I was no longer able to suspend disbelief.
That, however, can be overlooked. The suspension of disbelief is a fine line and each of us calibrates it differently. In this case, however, the characters came back to earth as well. In the beginning, they were not caricatures, for sure, but they were bigger than life. Who can ever forget Maria Chavez, the ultimate every-mother? The characters, caught as they are in a real life tale, lose some of their edge. They are no longer quite so fantastic as they were in the beginning. A bit more in focus, but with less impact.
And the thing is, the final plot twists just didn’t seem necessary, although he is the exceptional teacher and I am not. For the part that mattered, this is a truly exceptional book. For the storytelling, practice, I have no doubt, will yield wonders.
So, while I am sincerely saddened that I can’t, in the end, follow through on my six star rating, I believe Mr. Foxx would agree with my logic. He is, after all, all about authenticity.
Chris Bowen is a gifted man and a gifted teacher and the positive effect he will ultimately have on our world will be immeasurable. Thank goodness there are people like him out there. Read this book. You deserve it and so does he. And let’s all wait patiently for his next dip into our beloved literary pool.
Chris Bowen is a teacher—an exceptional teacher, to be sure—and writes this book through the eyes of a disadvantaged young boy, Maxx; the son of a chronically unemployed, drug-addicted, abusive father and a mother who is ultimately overwhelmed by her circumstances. Maxx, not surprisingly, is singled out by the education system, lumped together with the other disadvantaged kids, and largely ignored. Everyone has given up on them.
Except Mr. Foxx, the new teacher of the “Reading Hell” class. Over time Mr. Foxx restores the students’ pride through candor coupled with favorable expectations. The value system that the children have adopted as a coping mechanism for their life circumstances gets turned on its head and the desire to learn is ultimately reawakened.
It’s a book about accountability, for sure, but it is accountability with purpose. And it is a purpose driven by pride, not a purpose driven by material desires and needs. It is a humane purpose in a world driven by false gods and fallacious standards of accomplishment.
The book is superbly written and the best sign of that is that you will surely laugh out of context. Maxx is the everyperson. He is you and me and everyone else.
For in the end we are all disadvantaged in some way. We all suffer. Maybe it’s an addiction, loneliness, a lack of life purpose, or the general sense that we’re rowing around aimlessly in a sea of futility. If so, this book is for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re thirteen or sixty-three, like me. This story is full of wit and hope.
In the end, however, the last third of the book came back to earth. While the first two-thirds of the book was a group narrative, the final third focuses on the particular story of Maxx himself. And, in the end, Mr. Bowen didn’t quite get it over the finish line before I found I was no longer able to suspend disbelief.
That, however, can be overlooked. The suspension of disbelief is a fine line and each of us calibrates it differently. In this case, however, the characters came back to earth as well. In the beginning, they were not caricatures, for sure, but they were bigger than life. Who can ever forget Maria Chavez, the ultimate every-mother? The characters, caught as they are in a real life tale, lose some of their edge. They are no longer quite so fantastic as they were in the beginning. A bit more in focus, but with less impact.
And the thing is, the final plot twists just didn’t seem necessary, although he is the exceptional teacher and I am not. For the part that mattered, this is a truly exceptional book. For the storytelling, practice, I have no doubt, will yield wonders.
So, while I am sincerely saddened that I can’t, in the end, follow through on my six star rating, I believe Mr. Foxx would agree with my logic. He is, after all, all about authenticity.
Chris Bowen is a gifted man and a gifted teacher and the positive effect he will ultimately have on our world will be immeasurable. Thank goodness there are people like him out there. Read this book. You deserve it and so does he. And let’s all wait patiently for his next dip into our beloved literary pool.
June 29, 2020
A Bloody Book published in late 2016 by Chris Bowen is the story of a thirteen-year-old boy who has truly lived a rough childhood. He has experienced and done things that most people couldn’t imagine doing or simply even living through. He’s given up on most things in life, including school. He doesn’t have much of a family left, his dad died and his mother ran out on him and his sister. He has essentially “stopped giving a crap.” He is placed in a class called “Reading Hell” which is a class that could only be described as a remedial class with uninterested kids. They are assigned a new teacher, Mr. Foxx, who gives them an assignment to write a paper about the moment when they stopped caring. Of course, being a student who doesn’t care, Maxx never turns in the paper. However he is still given an A for the paper. Years later he is telling his story and A Bloody Book is meant to be the paper that Maxx never turned in.
In my opinion the book started a little slow for my liking. The first half of the book was a lot of background knowledge to read through and a lot of information about teachers, classes, and other children at school. The second half focused more on Maxx’s life when he was younger and more about his family. He tells the stories of how his father died and how he had to step up to care for his younger sister. He tells about when they were assigned the new and a little unconventional new teacher, Mr. Foxx, who makes them see each other in completely different views. This was a book I found myself constantly thinking about when I would stop reading it. It seemed to be one of those books that you have to finish just to know how it ends even if you feel that you’re uninterested in it.
The whole book is told in Maxx’s point of view which I feel adds a layer of depth to the story. It’s told almost conversationally, as if Maxx is telling the story directly to you. The book is a very simple and interesting read because of this conversational story type. Throughout the book you take various trips to the past with him with flashbacks to the major events in his life that have led him to all of his choices. Which leads you to piecing the story together along the way.
I feel as though this story should be read by teachers, students, social workers, parents, etc. Specifically anyone who works or even spends time with children. This book opens eyes to so many things that are overlooked by people who are obligated to report. Things like abuse, neglect, drugs, domestic violence, alcoholism and so much more. Things people want to turn their heads to and sweep under the rugs. However, I would not recommend this book to someone who is squeamish or looking for a light read. This book is very heavy and could be overwhelming for some. I also wouldn’t recommend to children under 15 due to references to violence and drugs.
With all this in mind I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It’s got elements of humor, suspense, as well as a little thriller. The only fault I truly noticed was the editing, I found more than a few errors while reading. However, those errors were easily overlooked by the overall quality and story of the book. I would highly recommend this book.
In my opinion the book started a little slow for my liking. The first half of the book was a lot of background knowledge to read through and a lot of information about teachers, classes, and other children at school. The second half focused more on Maxx’s life when he was younger and more about his family. He tells the stories of how his father died and how he had to step up to care for his younger sister. He tells about when they were assigned the new and a little unconventional new teacher, Mr. Foxx, who makes them see each other in completely different views. This was a book I found myself constantly thinking about when I would stop reading it. It seemed to be one of those books that you have to finish just to know how it ends even if you feel that you’re uninterested in it.
The whole book is told in Maxx’s point of view which I feel adds a layer of depth to the story. It’s told almost conversationally, as if Maxx is telling the story directly to you. The book is a very simple and interesting read because of this conversational story type. Throughout the book you take various trips to the past with him with flashbacks to the major events in his life that have led him to all of his choices. Which leads you to piecing the story together along the way.
I feel as though this story should be read by teachers, students, social workers, parents, etc. Specifically anyone who works or even spends time with children. This book opens eyes to so many things that are overlooked by people who are obligated to report. Things like abuse, neglect, drugs, domestic violence, alcoholism and so much more. Things people want to turn their heads to and sweep under the rugs. However, I would not recommend this book to someone who is squeamish or looking for a light read. This book is very heavy and could be overwhelming for some. I also wouldn’t recommend to children under 15 due to references to violence and drugs.
With all this in mind I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It’s got elements of humor, suspense, as well as a little thriller. The only fault I truly noticed was the editing, I found more than a few errors while reading. However, those errors were easily overlooked by the overall quality and story of the book. I would highly recommend this book.
February 7, 2022
A bloody book by Chris Bowen is a book on a teenager’s life, a thirteen years old boy called Maxx. Maxx have lost all the hope and motivation in life, and he doesn’t care about anything like school, friends, marks. We start the story with Maxx in a class called Reading hell it’s a class for kids like Maxx, kids who had a moment in life when they all stopped caring, kids who all adults have lost all hope for. Then came Mr. Foxx he is the one who makes us all think makes Maxx think about everything Then Maxx our main character tells us the story of his life.
This book called A bloody book is not really a bloody book it doesn’t have much gore or blood in it but it does have things which will make you laugh or even cry at times. It tells us how the school or how the system have lost all hope in kids that are in Reading hell how a teenager like Maxx was abused and neglected it shows us the bad and ugly side of life.
I really liked the character of Mr. Foxx he is not your normal teacher not normal at all I was actually surprised by his personality at first but I came to like it after a couple of pages he was crazy and funny at times, and he had skills.
This book was very well written the author Chris Bowen has done a very good job at writing this and it’s not much not a long book but it grabs your attention with the way things flow, we were seeing things from the perspective of Maxx, and we were really seeing, seeing all the things all of his story, his past. The plot twist was an unexpected one I did not see that ending coming it was a good and satisfying ending for me.
I can’t actually find a bad thing about this book at all after reading the full book I will say it was a fantastic book I did not expect this when I read the first chapter it was unexpectedly amazing I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars I can’t find anything that will make me deduct a star. This book talked about a lot of different problems in life and it explained everything really well.
I would actually recommend this book to everyone who like to read it may be more suitable for teenagers please be aware that there are things such as strong language and drugs addiction so if you don’t like those I will not suggest you to read this book.
This book called A bloody book is not really a bloody book it doesn’t have much gore or blood in it but it does have things which will make you laugh or even cry at times. It tells us how the school or how the system have lost all hope in kids that are in Reading hell how a teenager like Maxx was abused and neglected it shows us the bad and ugly side of life.
I really liked the character of Mr. Foxx he is not your normal teacher not normal at all I was actually surprised by his personality at first but I came to like it after a couple of pages he was crazy and funny at times, and he had skills.
This book was very well written the author Chris Bowen has done a very good job at writing this and it’s not much not a long book but it grabs your attention with the way things flow, we were seeing things from the perspective of Maxx, and we were really seeing, seeing all the things all of his story, his past. The plot twist was an unexpected one I did not see that ending coming it was a good and satisfying ending for me.
I can’t actually find a bad thing about this book at all after reading the full book I will say it was a fantastic book I did not expect this when I read the first chapter it was unexpectedly amazing I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars I can’t find anything that will make me deduct a star. This book talked about a lot of different problems in life and it explained everything really well.
I would actually recommend this book to everyone who like to read it may be more suitable for teenagers please be aware that there are things such as strong language and drugs addiction so if you don’t like those I will not suggest you to read this book.
October 20, 2020
Warning! Chris Bowen’s A Bloody Book causes a volley of different emotions in any authentic reader. I am no fan of bloody stories, so I breathed a sigh of relief when I learned that this story was not all blood and gore. A Bloody Book is sometimes a laugh aloud kind of text. I was in stitches as an educator when Mr. Foxx enters the Reading class and asks the students, much to their shock, “Is this the stupid class.” Mr. Foxx never ceased to shock me after that, nor his students, when he reported for class.
Maxx, the protagonist, recants in a hilarious tone his middle school years. One out of the many amusing anecdotes shared is as follows, “The principal didn’t know what to do with Ms. Spencer, because she was too old to be still teaching, but her and her wig just kept showing up every day. So, they made her teach a class I called Reading hell". Maxx’s display of emotional intelligence as demonstrated when he is at peace with Ms. Spence ‘dumping’ on him is just amazing, “ So while she was screaming, I was thinking…I know about your pain and how you need to dump some of it out.”
Maxx’s relation of his middle school days is not all riotous laughter. After he relates the spectacle of Mrs. Spencer tossing her wig into the bin when it became lopsided, he makes the reader all teary-eyed as Mrs. Spence shares her miserable life story with the students who laughed at her in a bid to make them good readers. The tears provoked by the narrative do not end with Ms. Spence's autobiography; it merely increases as Maxx reveals piece by piece the real reasons he stopped caring.
Bowen’s narrator makes readers want to read each word to avoid missing a single beat of the drama. This narrative, although heartbreaking, has many elements of rambunctious humor. This incredible and dumbfounding drama proves to be a thought-provoking page-turner that aspires to transform the culture of child abuse and lukewarm efforts at reaching out to children in need of protection from adults who do not care. Although targeted to the young adult market, this book is a book that every teacher and would-be parents, and actual parents must-read.
Maxx, the protagonist, recants in a hilarious tone his middle school years. One out of the many amusing anecdotes shared is as follows, “The principal didn’t know what to do with Ms. Spencer, because she was too old to be still teaching, but her and her wig just kept showing up every day. So, they made her teach a class I called Reading hell". Maxx’s display of emotional intelligence as demonstrated when he is at peace with Ms. Spence ‘dumping’ on him is just amazing, “ So while she was screaming, I was thinking…I know about your pain and how you need to dump some of it out.”
Maxx’s relation of his middle school days is not all riotous laughter. After he relates the spectacle of Mrs. Spencer tossing her wig into the bin when it became lopsided, he makes the reader all teary-eyed as Mrs. Spence shares her miserable life story with the students who laughed at her in a bid to make them good readers. The tears provoked by the narrative do not end with Ms. Spence's autobiography; it merely increases as Maxx reveals piece by piece the real reasons he stopped caring.
Bowen’s narrator makes readers want to read each word to avoid missing a single beat of the drama. This narrative, although heartbreaking, has many elements of rambunctious humor. This incredible and dumbfounding drama proves to be a thought-provoking page-turner that aspires to transform the culture of child abuse and lukewarm efforts at reaching out to children in need of protection from adults who do not care. Although targeted to the young adult market, this book is a book that every teacher and would-be parents, and actual parents must-read.
July 8, 2019
Bloody Good Read
I’m glad I read this book. I’d say I enjoyed it, but that doesn’t seem like the right word because of some pretty tough subject matter. The first 2 chapters were hard to get through. The author goes off on several tangents making for some long confusing paragraph, but it got a lot better once he started talking about his Reading Hell class in 8th grade.
Reading Hell is a reading and writing class meant for the “stupid kids”. The students in this class
come from families with that struggle with drugs, violence, poverty and other difficulties in there home lives. They’ve come to learn that teachers and adults either just don’t care or have given up on them. Then they get a new teacher, Mr. Foxx, in their Reading Hell class that actually cares. Mr. Foxx uses some unconventional methods to wake up these “trouble makers” and get them to start caring about their education and futures.
This book was definitely worth reading. It was entertaining and makes me want to find a way to make a difference in the lives of children. Books that that are both entertaining and have socially redeeming value seem few and far between. I’d like to thank the author for sharing what seem to be his personal experiences and hope that it results in others readers trying to make a difference in the life of even 1 child.
I’m glad I read this book. I’d say I enjoyed it, but that doesn’t seem like the right word because of some pretty tough subject matter. The first 2 chapters were hard to get through. The author goes off on several tangents making for some long confusing paragraph, but it got a lot better once he started talking about his Reading Hell class in 8th grade.
Reading Hell is a reading and writing class meant for the “stupid kids”. The students in this class
come from families with that struggle with drugs, violence, poverty and other difficulties in there home lives. They’ve come to learn that teachers and adults either just don’t care or have given up on them. Then they get a new teacher, Mr. Foxx, in their Reading Hell class that actually cares. Mr. Foxx uses some unconventional methods to wake up these “trouble makers” and get them to start caring about their education and futures.
This book was definitely worth reading. It was entertaining and makes me want to find a way to make a difference in the lives of children. Books that that are both entertaining and have socially redeeming value seem few and far between. I’d like to thank the author for sharing what seem to be his personal experiences and hope that it results in others readers trying to make a difference in the life of even 1 child.
June 12, 2019
Quite the twist
I was surprised by this book, I found it to be better than I expected, and over all fairly enjoyable. I definitely did not expect the ending, which was a very refreshing experience. I think that middle school aged boys in particular would find this book very interesting. The writing is definitely geared towards that audience, the tone and humor is right up their alley.
Maxx is an unfortunate kid doing his very best to survive, and A Bloody Book is his story which he was inspired to tell after being challenged by his teacher Mr. Foxx to write about when he stopped caring. Initially Maxx does not write his tale, but when he sets down to do it he spins quite the story. Abandoned by his mother, and having just experienced the death of his father, Maxx finds himself in an impossible situation and does what he thinks he must to achieve a normal life for him and his younger sister.
While an interesting story, I only gave three stars because there were a few distracting typos and at moments unbelievably over the top actions of characters such as Mr. Foxx break the enchantment of the story and pulled me out of the narration. However, I do think this story is still worth a read and does carry a worthwhile message about the importance of knowledge.
I was surprised by this book, I found it to be better than I expected, and over all fairly enjoyable. I definitely did not expect the ending, which was a very refreshing experience. I think that middle school aged boys in particular would find this book very interesting. The writing is definitely geared towards that audience, the tone and humor is right up their alley.
Maxx is an unfortunate kid doing his very best to survive, and A Bloody Book is his story which he was inspired to tell after being challenged by his teacher Mr. Foxx to write about when he stopped caring. Initially Maxx does not write his tale, but when he sets down to do it he spins quite the story. Abandoned by his mother, and having just experienced the death of his father, Maxx finds himself in an impossible situation and does what he thinks he must to achieve a normal life for him and his younger sister.
While an interesting story, I only gave three stars because there were a few distracting typos and at moments unbelievably over the top actions of characters such as Mr. Foxx break the enchantment of the story and pulled me out of the narration. However, I do think this story is still worth a read and does carry a worthwhile message about the importance of knowledge.
August 21, 2020
Chris Bowen opens A Bloody Book with “I assure you. It will be a bloody book.” He keeps his word. The book is far from gory. The only organ he rips out is your heart and serves it on a bloody platter. My veneration for this book is a sieve, spewing buckets. The novel opens with an introduction that asks us to “Start for the story. Care for the characters. Stay for the twist.” Heed his advice.
The narrative is one we’ve experienced before, nothing new. Maxx, a down-trodden youth, seeks a smidgen of hope from a penurious life. He has drug-user-alcoholic-trash-parents, and a teacher with unorthodox methods, shaking hope into him like a bully scouring for spare change. The story grips you and ends with satisfaction. The theme is a message best remembered.
Maxx’s existence makes Harry Potter’s a utopia. Aunt Petunia cooked and baked. She didn’t microwave frozen-pizza and plop the gloppy-mess in a bowl. Harry’s clothes were oversized hand-me-downs from an obese cousin, but Dudley didn’t start with rags. Harry had a strict bedtime, forced to be silent. Boo-hoo. Maxx lay awake, hearkening to the narcotic-addled tumult of his junkie father beating his vapid mother. Amidst this is Maxx’s toddler sister, Rosie. A relative-mute who mimics words like a parrot because no one but Maxx considered her or provided any kindness. I wanted to adopt Maxx and Rosie both, but I couldn’t—they’re imaginary.
I’m a fanatical horror-buff, but I didn’t want this book to result in carnage. I won’t spoil the twist, but I didn’t see it coming. It leaves you thinking. Beware of Uncle Johnny. I’ve never been more on edge.
I rate A Bloody Book 3 out of 4 stars. Excellent though it may be, there are a handful of elementary blunders, but my fascination was suitable enough to blaze past them. The book reads as if penned by a mediocre high-school student, which from the novel’s perspective, it was. Bowen did such an admirable job capturing the voice of an adolescent narrator that I presumed it was a true story written by a teenager. This wasn’t a good thing. The prose was burdensome and peppered with filler words, like a high-school essay.
Nevertheless, I recommend A Bloody Book to anybody who can lift a book and read. If you’re incapable, I suggest the audio-book. If you’re deaf and blind, have it traced, letter by letter, on your skin.
The narrative is one we’ve experienced before, nothing new. Maxx, a down-trodden youth, seeks a smidgen of hope from a penurious life. He has drug-user-alcoholic-trash-parents, and a teacher with unorthodox methods, shaking hope into him like a bully scouring for spare change. The story grips you and ends with satisfaction. The theme is a message best remembered.
Maxx’s existence makes Harry Potter’s a utopia. Aunt Petunia cooked and baked. She didn’t microwave frozen-pizza and plop the gloppy-mess in a bowl. Harry’s clothes were oversized hand-me-downs from an obese cousin, but Dudley didn’t start with rags. Harry had a strict bedtime, forced to be silent. Boo-hoo. Maxx lay awake, hearkening to the narcotic-addled tumult of his junkie father beating his vapid mother. Amidst this is Maxx’s toddler sister, Rosie. A relative-mute who mimics words like a parrot because no one but Maxx considered her or provided any kindness. I wanted to adopt Maxx and Rosie both, but I couldn’t—they’re imaginary.
I’m a fanatical horror-buff, but I didn’t want this book to result in carnage. I won’t spoil the twist, but I didn’t see it coming. It leaves you thinking. Beware of Uncle Johnny. I’ve never been more on edge.
I rate A Bloody Book 3 out of 4 stars. Excellent though it may be, there are a handful of elementary blunders, but my fascination was suitable enough to blaze past them. The book reads as if penned by a mediocre high-school student, which from the novel’s perspective, it was. Bowen did such an admirable job capturing the voice of an adolescent narrator that I presumed it was a true story written by a teenager. This wasn’t a good thing. The prose was burdensome and peppered with filler words, like a high-school essay.
Nevertheless, I recommend A Bloody Book to anybody who can lift a book and read. If you’re incapable, I suggest the audio-book. If you’re deaf and blind, have it traced, letter by letter, on your skin.
March 22, 2018
I think that the book was very well written it talks about all different kinds of stuff in this book but the charecter that I like lot is Ms. Spencer because just the way she was explained was really good in detail.Ms.Spencer is a teacher for the class that you have to read in and she was really old she was like maybe 75 years old but she still was teaching at that school.She was going through alot of stress and the kids do not know if it is from them or her husband or stuff at home.The kids had knew that Ms.Spencer had a wig but nobody had never wanted to say anything but then there was this one in the book it states that she was so angry and just could not handle the kids anymore that her face had turned red and her head started to shake so her wig started to come off so she stops and fixes her wig and all the kids just started laughing so she had just through it away in the trash that day.The boy states that even though him and Ms.Spencer did not get along they still kind of helped each other out a little bit because he made her show that people do not care about what she looks like and she helped me be a class clown.
May 25, 2018
Before you read this crappy review I just wanna warn you it might have spoilers. No scratch that it will have spoilers all around the entire book. So you have been warned. Anyway with that covered A bloody book by Chris Bowen, it is about a boy named maxx [yes maxx with 2 x's not 1 because he prefers it with 2 and not 1]that has a crappy no shitty life. But for a kid that has a shitty life, I can sometimes relate to him. Like in the beginning of book with adults. Adults try to connect with us by saying bro or sup. They try to act like you, be your friend when honestly how can your teacher be your friend? They can be someone to talk to like your grades or extra help. But eventually your gonna have to say goodbye to the teacher. Then again that's my opinion. So the bloody book is about maxx telling a portion of his life so he can feel like he earned an A from Mr. Foxx. But why is it called ''A bloody book'' well in the last chapter maxx admits that he killed two people which were his dad and his ''uncle johnny''.His dad died from being drunk. and his uncle died from a needle. And no one cares to look in a drug dealers and a low-class junkie deaths. But in the end the end he just says channel your boredom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2019
Heartbreaking, but incredibly insightful
A sad testament to the state of public welfare and the burden born by the children in the system. When a young child is neglected or abused, what is the lasting effect? What creates longing to go to school only to provide relief from his home life and to have at least one warm meal a day? At what point does he lose all hope? When does hopelessness turn to rage?
The author provides his insights toward answering these questions using a first-person story telling narrative style from the perspective of failing 13-year-old middle school student from a broken home.
At times the writing style is a bit confusing - immature first person narrative switching to a retrospective telling by an adult. I’m also not sure if the lack of standard quotation and paragraph formatting is intentional, but it did cause me to have to reread sections for understanding. However, I felt compelled to read the book in a single sitting as I needed to “hear” the story through to the end. Even with my discomfort with the writing style, the author does a superb job of presenting his message.
A sad testament to the state of public welfare and the burden born by the children in the system. When a young child is neglected or abused, what is the lasting effect? What creates longing to go to school only to provide relief from his home life and to have at least one warm meal a day? At what point does he lose all hope? When does hopelessness turn to rage?
The author provides his insights toward answering these questions using a first-person story telling narrative style from the perspective of failing 13-year-old middle school student from a broken home.
At times the writing style is a bit confusing - immature first person narrative switching to a retrospective telling by an adult. I’m also not sure if the lack of standard quotation and paragraph formatting is intentional, but it did cause me to have to reread sections for understanding. However, I felt compelled to read the book in a single sitting as I needed to “hear” the story through to the end. Even with my discomfort with the writing style, the author does a superb job of presenting his message.
October 3, 2017
A Bloody Book - a review by Rosemary Kenny
I must admit my first impressions of this book from the title and the cover picture were not very positive; this soon changed when I completed this engaging short book - which should be called a 'Rough Guide to educating problem children' or something similar.
For there is no doubt that some of the children the reader is introduced to really do have it rough...home lives with absent fathers, substance abusing mothers, living in squalor with uncaring families or any support whatsoever from some lacklustre teachers, when it comes to the basics of education that every individual has a right to.
This could be a depressing indictment of parts of modern society, were it not for inspirational teachers such as Mr Foxx, willing to go the 'extra mile' and bring life to the children deemed hopeless or irredeemable misfits.
I was shocked and galvanised in equal measure by Chris Bowen's novel - but I'm very glad he wrote it!
I must admit my first impressions of this book from the title and the cover picture were not very positive; this soon changed when I completed this engaging short book - which should be called a 'Rough Guide to educating problem children' or something similar.
For there is no doubt that some of the children the reader is introduced to really do have it rough...home lives with absent fathers, substance abusing mothers, living in squalor with uncaring families or any support whatsoever from some lacklustre teachers, when it comes to the basics of education that every individual has a right to.
This could be a depressing indictment of parts of modern society, were it not for inspirational teachers such as Mr Foxx, willing to go the 'extra mile' and bring life to the children deemed hopeless or irredeemable misfits.
I was shocked and galvanised in equal measure by Chris Bowen's novel - but I'm very glad he wrote it!
December 15, 2017
"A Bloody Book" by Chris Bowen is one of the most thought-provoking books I have ever or will ever read again. The story is about a young boy named Maxx that is doing a writing assignment about his life. However, Maxx's life isn't just rainbows and happy endings. It's darker and more horrific than I ever imagined. The main reason why I liked this book so much was the unfortunate reality that this could all happen to me. It felt like I was the Maxx and going through all his struggles with him. Chris Bowen did such a good job describing Maxx and his vocabulary was impeccable. I loved this book from start to finish and couldn't put it down. I would suggest this book to anyone who has read Confessions of a Murder Suspect or loves plot twists so big it feels like you are on a roller coster. Highly suggest this book!!
May 18, 2018
In this book named A Bloody Book by Chris Bowen.My thoughts on this book is that the the characters in this book is put perfectly on the story's back line story.One of the characters in this story that i think is put very welled in this book is named,Ms Spencer.because she is an teacher that has an mood that is a entertaining for the other characters that have an good detail to describe her.Also ms Spencer's is like an chill/fun teacher to have fun if you had he as an teacher.She is kind of the teacher is that is pretty cool to have.m rs Spencer's believe that she cares about the kids that she haves in her class and treats them like an friend because she tells them everything about her plans.Shes cool in an way with this qoute "Ms Spencer told us she wasn't going to a lame party they were going to have for her in staff lounge after school"
December 6, 2017
The book "A Bloody Book" by Chris Bowen is phenomenal. This book tells the story from Maxx's perspective. He's thirteen and "writing" this book. He has many flashbacks of when he was young and has problems with money and grades. One reason I liked this book was because it gave me a sorts of feelings-humor & sympathy. The beginning was extraordinary, in my opinion, because you never hear of teachers like Ms. Spencer. The book also put me in the character's shoes at best. I felt as if I was experiencing the events, especially at the end, with Maxx, which caused me to be glued to this book. Last, the book was well written, with great vocabulary and the fact that the plot flowed well. In fact, the ending still leaves me in shock. If you enjoy plot twists, then pick up this book and read!
October 19, 2017
a bloody book is about how a 13 year-old grew up way to fast due to the environment that he faced at home and because of that he began to become a criminal by murdering two men, his father and his uncle johnny. which brings me to my thought of this book. Mr Bowen, you book is amazing . i loved how you made it look as if it were really you writing because other authors write in first person but doesn't feel real but you do. i would recommend it every student at school. you really cant stop reading the book because if you do you will give yourself a cliff-hanger. please, if you have not read it please read it and drown yourself in the book.
May 17, 2018
The book "A Bloody Book" by Mr.Bowen really reminds me of myself in some parts with this book.I like that he had a open character.The character he positioned was open with the reader.Its not the type of story describing a place.Its the type of story that describes the characters feelings and he pushes thru them.One scene that i specifically like is when hes in class and the teacher asks why people do bad and rob stuff.I like it because the character related,and that often happens to me.I realize wow i actually do that,its crazy to see the distant relationship me and this book have.5 out of 5 on my end.
May 20, 2018
This book I thought was for sure with no doubt one of the best maybe even THE Best, this book made me feel a roller coaster of emotions.I could really relate with Maxx and his his sister,because I too would do anything to make sure my sister is safe.This book is for sure a BLOODY BOOK! The twist I was not! expecting at all it was hard for me leave class because I was always wondering what was going to happen next.I really liked this book,and I'm really glad that I decided to read this book because I don't always seem to find books that I like but, this one I absolutely loved! I would definitely recommend this book to a friend or a classmate.
October 23, 2017
A Bloody Book the book I read right after Secrets in the Shadows and that book set my expectations super high and I thought only a few books could meet them but this book easily was one of the few books.This book made me feel sad,exited,nervous,the author did a great job at mixing the suspense just right with the action.I loved reading this book and loved thinking what would happen next.I like how it makes it look like it was written by a teen not an adult,if a character felt a certain emotion it made me feel a certain emotion.I recommend this book who wants excitement and suspense.
April 18, 2018
The book was very down to earth, the real life situations can be very relatable to many readers out there. Poverty and domestic abuse is a problem all around the world and this book addresses this loud and clear. Sometimes books like these are almost unbearable because it doesn't include real feelings, a lot of the times the Character puts up with it and becomes some bad person. But in this story the character doesn't come off cocky nor strong, he leaves a sad and gloomy vibe, which is what most children who are in this position feel.
May 22, 2018
I think that the book deserves a great review,this book was very enjoyable and entertaining to read.The things that i loved most about the book are the surprise endings,real life situations,and emotional scene that happen in the book.This book was very interesting and I can really tell that the author put a lot of thought into this book. I was very shocked about the lie he told us about his father.I was also surprise and hurt about his uncle because a kid at this age shouldn't be going through all this trauma.I really recommend this book and tit deserves a solid 5 star rating.
May 10, 2018
I think that A Bloody Book by Chris Bowen is very emotional. It starts telling us to love the characters in the book. It talks about a kid called Maxx who had so much hope but then it got destroyed. He wanted to have good life but all he got was two dead men, one missing mom and reading hell.I would like that if there could another book telling what happened after the events of book 1 or backstory of Maxx's Mom,Dad,Uncle Johnny and Mr. Foxx
September 25, 2018
I really liked this book. It can be very hard to read at times because the content is so harsh but it keeps you on the edge of your seat. I feel like its a great book for someone who feels like they are the outcast. It gives you a really interesting point of view and if you grew up on hard times you will understand the mindset of the main character. It wasn't a very long book and is more then worth your time!
December 2, 2018
The only bad thing I can say about this book is that it ended too soon. I wanted more of the story. I wanted to know what else happened in Maxx's life and how his story continued. What did Mr. Foxx accomplish? Did he have any impact on the kids that he was teaching? This book is really good, but it's criminally short. I hope the author writes a sequel sometime in the future. Or maybe another book with a similar tone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2019
Not what I expected
Honestly this was not what I expected. It has a good plot and theme. I love how it was written the words and the way they flowed just grabbed my attention not allowing me to put the book down. It makes you think about your past and future pretty much. In its own way its telling how important it is to stand up for yourself and to take advantage of the free education provided. Do not let your situation stop you from doing better and being better.
Honestly this was not what I expected. It has a good plot and theme. I love how it was written the words and the way they flowed just grabbed my attention not allowing me to put the book down. It makes you think about your past and future pretty much. In its own way its telling how important it is to stand up for yourself and to take advantage of the free education provided. Do not let your situation stop you from doing better and being better.
April 18, 2018
I think that A Bloody Book was good because the things in here could happen in real life.I like the part when the teacher was tired of everyone making fun of her and she just took off her wig and just stop teaching.I would of did the something because the kids wont stop making fun of her.I would of left the room and never came back the kids.
October 7, 2017
This was an amazing book. I read it in one day and strongly recommend it to anyone who would like to get a better understanding of the development of young minds, the effect of our actions on others, especially kids, and the existence and devastation of poverty in America.
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