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Bluford High #13
Search for Safety
There is no escape for Ben McKee. For weeks, he's covered the bruises on his body. He's even lied to his teachers and new friends at Bluford High School. But the trouble in Ben's house isn't going away. And if he doesn't act soon, it could swallow him and his mother forever.
128 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2006
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3050 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
December 22, 2014
This book was about a teenager's struggle to live a good life. When his mom has married again, he entered the world of disaster. His life became uncommon - his father's mean behavior, mom's tolerance against his father's arrogance, trying to be a normal student at school which he's not, food shortages etc. The most interesting part of this book was how he was influenced by Mr. Graham's ideal. - Thumbs up.
March 9, 2009
Search for safety, written by John Langon, tells the story of a young man named Ben McKee. Ben, hates the news he hears one day at breakfast, his mom Geneva announced that she and Ben would be leaving Aunt Fay's to move across town because Geneva is getting married to a man that shes barely been dating. Larry, Ben's new step father is a lot to handle right off the back Larry is hateful and violent. First night there in the new house Ben's mom is at work and its just Ben and Larry. Larry tells Ben to go up stairs. Ben refuses and try's to reason with Larry. Ben runs to the stairs Larry catches him and kicks him in the back and legs just to prove to Ben that he is serious. Ben is bossed around, beat around and whats sad is that his own mother takes the side of her new husband. This is a really good book it touches on many real life situations that young teens go through in life from transferring to a new school to a unstable house holds. This book also touches on the many events that you yourself may even go through. I recommend this book to everyone. John Langon has really touch and grabbed my attention from the first page to the last. This book is just that amazing. Many kids of all ages would enjoy reading a fiction series like this. Check out this book in the Bluford Series. Again this book is really Good!
February 2, 2021
It is such a good book it really paints a good picture of what stuff lookes like in the book it has good ending and hooking begining 10/10
December 9, 2014
I liked this book. It wasn’t the best book I have ever read, but it was pretty good. It showed how some neighborhoods are and how some people are, how the world can be a bad place and also a great place.
The plot of this book is that the main character, Ben, doesn’t have a father. He lived with his mother in an apartment without electricity and almost no food. His aunt shows up for a surprise visit and takes them in so they can live better. After a while his mom decides to marry a man named Larry. Neither Ben nor the aunt wants them to get married. They do anyways and they have to move to a new, poorer neighborhood. The first time Ben and Larry are alone Larry tells him he needs to stay in his room otherwise he will beat him. Later that night he comes downstairs to get some food and Larry screams at him and kicks him and punches him. At the school he meets a girl named Cindy who he instantly likes. A few days later Larry gives Ben fifteen dollars to get some lunch for everyone and he gets jumped on the way back. He gets beat up and when he gets back he just gets yelled at by Larry. The beatings get worse and worse and he starts beating the mother too. He goes to a market about three blocks away to get food and ends up getting a job. He likes working there because it gives him time away from Larry. He also gets paid thirty dollars a week. He uses that money to buy food and store it up in his room so he doesn’t have to go down by Larry almost at all. After a few weeks Larry came up to yell at Ben while he was eating. Larry was furious that he was keeping all this food to himself and took it all and all his money. Then when he was off at school Larry searched his room and found his hidden stash of thirty dollars and stole that too. About a week later, Ben was working late and someone came to rob the store. His boss had a heart attack but was okay. Ben figured out that it was Larry’s friend Daryl. After receiving several more beatings, both him and his mom, his aunt came back. Then her aunt made him call the police on Larry and they thought they had Larry but they really had Daryl. When Larry found out that Daryl was picked up, he was beyond furious and came home and started beating Ben. Then his aunt came in and tried to stand up to him but he was about to swing when Ben took out his legs and got a broken arm. The police arrived at that second and took him in. The aunt, mom, and Ben will now all live together like they used to very happily.
I would recommend this book to middle schoolers and lower of either gender. It is okay for young kids because it shows the dangers and what can happen in the world.
The plot of this book is that the main character, Ben, doesn’t have a father. He lived with his mother in an apartment without electricity and almost no food. His aunt shows up for a surprise visit and takes them in so they can live better. After a while his mom decides to marry a man named Larry. Neither Ben nor the aunt wants them to get married. They do anyways and they have to move to a new, poorer neighborhood. The first time Ben and Larry are alone Larry tells him he needs to stay in his room otherwise he will beat him. Later that night he comes downstairs to get some food and Larry screams at him and kicks him and punches him. At the school he meets a girl named Cindy who he instantly likes. A few days later Larry gives Ben fifteen dollars to get some lunch for everyone and he gets jumped on the way back. He gets beat up and when he gets back he just gets yelled at by Larry. The beatings get worse and worse and he starts beating the mother too. He goes to a market about three blocks away to get food and ends up getting a job. He likes working there because it gives him time away from Larry. He also gets paid thirty dollars a week. He uses that money to buy food and store it up in his room so he doesn’t have to go down by Larry almost at all. After a few weeks Larry came up to yell at Ben while he was eating. Larry was furious that he was keeping all this food to himself and took it all and all his money. Then when he was off at school Larry searched his room and found his hidden stash of thirty dollars and stole that too. About a week later, Ben was working late and someone came to rob the store. His boss had a heart attack but was okay. Ben figured out that it was Larry’s friend Daryl. After receiving several more beatings, both him and his mom, his aunt came back. Then her aunt made him call the police on Larry and they thought they had Larry but they really had Daryl. When Larry found out that Daryl was picked up, he was beyond furious and came home and started beating Ben. Then his aunt came in and tried to stand up to him but he was about to swing when Ben took out his legs and got a broken arm. The police arrived at that second and took him in. The aunt, mom, and Ben will now all live together like they used to very happily.
I would recommend this book to middle schoolers and lower of either gender. It is okay for young kids because it shows the dangers and what can happen in the world.
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October 21, 2014I really enjoyed reading “Search for Safety” by John Langan, because the events that take place in this book can happen to anybody. It also keeps you on the edge of your chair. This book tells the story of a boy named Ben McKee and how his life gets turned upside down after his mother’s wedding. Having only met his abusive stepfather Larry once he had to move into a small apartment with him and his mother. When Larry loses his job and starts drinking heavily, Ben and his mother find themselves in great danger. As the story progresses Ben get’s the courage that he needs in order to face his living nightmare. His stepfather.
This book is told through the first person point of view of Ben. I like that it’s through Ben’s perspective because it becomes more realistic. You can truly feel his pain in the story. Ben’s character experiences many ups and downs throughout the book but because of his courage he is able to pull him and his mother out of this terrible situation. I admire Ben’s character for that he is physically and mentally strong. He is able to cope with his situation with extreme maturity and he is a true hero.
“Search for Safety” takes place in the central part of a city called Bluford. Ben is able to get into a good school because of his aunt and this plays a huge part in the story. If Ben would have gone to a different school he would not have the same opportunity that he had at Bluford High. He wouldn’t of been able to get away from his stepfather and he would not be able to meet the people that helped him. The time concept is significant because the issues that Ben had to face happens a lot nowadays.
I would recommend ‘Search for Safety” to eighth grade and beyond because although the book itself is easy to read, you have to understand what is really going on. This book is meant for mature readers because of the situations in the book is not meant to be made fun of. Both males and females would enjoy this book.
This book is told through the first person point of view of Ben. I like that it’s through Ben’s perspective because it becomes more realistic. You can truly feel his pain in the story. Ben’s character experiences many ups and downs throughout the book but because of his courage he is able to pull him and his mother out of this terrible situation. I admire Ben’s character for that he is physically and mentally strong. He is able to cope with his situation with extreme maturity and he is a true hero.
“Search for Safety” takes place in the central part of a city called Bluford. Ben is able to get into a good school because of his aunt and this plays a huge part in the story. If Ben would have gone to a different school he would not have the same opportunity that he had at Bluford High. He wouldn’t of been able to get away from his stepfather and he would not be able to meet the people that helped him. The time concept is significant because the issues that Ben had to face happens a lot nowadays.
I would recommend ‘Search for Safety” to eighth grade and beyond because although the book itself is easy to read, you have to understand what is really going on. This book is meant for mature readers because of the situations in the book is not meant to be made fun of. Both males and females would enjoy this book.
March 14, 2014
“Search for safety” is a fun book to read. In search for safety the main character is named Ben. Ben is happy living with his aunt and mom. Ben’s mom relies on his aunt to help keep Ben safe. His mom finds a man named Larry and marries him. Larry is known to be a bad person, but the family has no idea what they’re going to go through. Ben is moved into a different side of town and his whole world changes. Aunt Fay moves away so Ben has no one to rely on when things get tough. Ben is forced to move to a different school where he has to make new friends and gets a new job.
The main character is a high School junior named Ben he is an average kid. Ben’s biggest villain in the book is his new step dad Larry, Larry makes it so everything Ben does is difficult. Mr. Graham is an old man who owns a grocery store. Mr. Graham gives Ben a job and is a role model to Ben.
The setting of “Search for safety” is in the city. Ben and his mom live in a house with his new step dad Larry. Bluford high school is the school Ben goes to. The story starts the summer before Ben's junior year of high school the year is not know.
The theme of "Search for Safety” is that you need to make things happen. Ben didn't do anything to stop the situation he just thought it would end itself. When the kids and teachers at Bluford did something his nightmare ended however Ben could have ended it earlier.
I would recommend this book to high school boys because it is interesting to read.
I would also recommend it to them because it shows how one man’s problems affect everyone.
The main character is a high School junior named Ben he is an average kid. Ben’s biggest villain in the book is his new step dad Larry, Larry makes it so everything Ben does is difficult. Mr. Graham is an old man who owns a grocery store. Mr. Graham gives Ben a job and is a role model to Ben.
The setting of “Search for safety” is in the city. Ben and his mom live in a house with his new step dad Larry. Bluford high school is the school Ben goes to. The story starts the summer before Ben's junior year of high school the year is not know.
The theme of "Search for Safety” is that you need to make things happen. Ben didn't do anything to stop the situation he just thought it would end itself. When the kids and teachers at Bluford did something his nightmare ended however Ben could have ended it earlier.
I would recommend this book to high school boys because it is interesting to read.
I would also recommend it to them because it shows how one man’s problems affect everyone.
March 21, 2014
"Search for Safety" by John Langan was an awesome book. The story is about a boy named Ben Mckee, who had a great life which turned into living hell. When Ben and his mother lived with Aunt Fay life seemed about perfect. Ben's mother got married to a guy she'd only known for a month or two and everything went downhill. Larry, the guy she married, was very abusive and would always beat them both. Ben would have to lie to everyone about what was going on. One day Ben decided to get the police involved and his life was worry free again.
Aunt Fay, Ben's aunt, was a great person. When Ben and his mother had nothing she was there to lift them up and give them everything.She supplied them with food, shelter, and even money for extra things. Ben is a teenage boy, very close to his aunt. He is also a sophomore in school, but not everything is going right. Larry is nothing to be proud of. He beats on Ben and his mother and think it's alright.
The story takes place in a rather large town , similar to Mesa, Arizona. Sounds like spring. Jeans and t-shirts and will be comfortable. It reminds me of Mesa, because there are multiple high schools in one city. It mostly takes place at Bluford High or Mr.Graham's store, which is a little corner store where Ben works, but it also takes place at Larry's house.
I rated this book four stars out of five, because it was an awesome book. The author made it so I wanted to keep reading. The book was a quick read which is never bad and appropriate for any age group. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
Aunt Fay, Ben's aunt, was a great person. When Ben and his mother had nothing she was there to lift them up and give them everything.She supplied them with food, shelter, and even money for extra things. Ben is a teenage boy, very close to his aunt. He is also a sophomore in school, but not everything is going right. Larry is nothing to be proud of. He beats on Ben and his mother and think it's alright.
The story takes place in a rather large town , similar to Mesa, Arizona. Sounds like spring. Jeans and t-shirts and will be comfortable. It reminds me of Mesa, because there are multiple high schools in one city. It mostly takes place at Bluford High or Mr.Graham's store, which is a little corner store where Ben works, but it also takes place at Larry's house.
I rated this book four stars out of five, because it was an awesome book. The author made it so I wanted to keep reading. The book was a quick read which is never bad and appropriate for any age group. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
January 16, 2015
"Search for Safety" was a enjoyable book to read. It is about a teenage boy named Ben McKee, who attends Bluford High School. His mom found a new boyfriend, and decided that her and Ben would move in with him. Larry, his mom's boyfriend, is very abusive, and has anger issues. At home, Ben stays in his room because he doesn't want to get in Larry's way. Ben finds a part time job at a grocery store down the street. Larry finds out that Ben has a job, and makes Ben give him all the money he makes. When Ben is at work, someone comes in and robs the store. Ben recognized the face. He contacts the cops, and they trace it back to one of Larry's friends. Larry is arrested for planning this robbery, and Ben and his mom are finally safe again.
The main character is Ben McKee. Ben is a strong young boy, and he is not afraid to stand up for what he believes. One of the other characters is Larry. Larry is a very mean man, and only cares about himself. He had a negative impact on Ben's life.
This book takes place in California at Larry's house. It also takes place at Bluford High School, and at the store. The time that it takes place is during the early 2000's.
The theme of this book is bravery. Even though Ben was scared of Larry, he wasn't afraid to stand up to him, and stand up for his mom as well.
I enjoyed reading this book. The author does a great job of keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. I would recommend this book to high school students because it is a little violent.
The main character is Ben McKee. Ben is a strong young boy, and he is not afraid to stand up for what he believes. One of the other characters is Larry. Larry is a very mean man, and only cares about himself. He had a negative impact on Ben's life.
This book takes place in California at Larry's house. It also takes place at Bluford High School, and at the store. The time that it takes place is during the early 2000's.
The theme of this book is bravery. Even though Ben was scared of Larry, he wasn't afraid to stand up to him, and stand up for his mom as well.
I enjoyed reading this book. The author does a great job of keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. I would recommend this book to high school students because it is a little violent.
March 3, 2016
I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to people. Everytime I start to read it, it always kept me guessing what was going to happen next. Ben McKee was just a happy boy who was living with his mom and Aunt Fay going to school with having no problems in life. Everything started to go downhill, when his mother married his future stepfather Larry. Coming home from a new school was always scary now that Larry was in the picture. For weeks, Larry was always in the mood of beating him and his mother. With Aunt Fay leaving the state and not trusting anyone, Ben didnt't know what to do. All I know is that he needs to act soon for the safety of his mother and himself.
December 11, 2010
i think the boy was really abused and was glad that he told Officer Washington what was happening.
October 2, 2015
Personal Response-
I just read “Search for Safety”, and I thought it was a fantastic book. There were some points in the book where I had to stop reading because it really frustrated me. The way the author wrote the book made me feel like everything was real. It made me feel like I was the main character.The overall story was phenomenal. I have read a few books by this author and he never fails to impress me with them.
Plot-
The story starts off with this teenager who enjoys his life living with his single mother and aunt. Things don’t remain well for him. His mother meets this new man and they have to move out with him. The reason they have to move is because the mother’s new man has a new job. So, they had to move closer. The boy’s name is Ben, and his mother’s name is Geneva. Geneva and Larry, her new man, are getting married. Ben does not want to move at all because he likes living with Aunt Fay. Down the road of moving into the new house and new town, Ben comes to find out that Larry is a bad person. Larry is very abusive. He beats Ben and Geneva all the time. Once Ben started school and got a job at the grocery store, everyone could notice Ben. He had bruises everywhere and he just wasn't himself. They could tell something wasn’t right. This whole time they moved, Aunt Fay had to travel out to see their grandfather who now has Alzheimer's. Ben couldn’t get away from Larry. Him and his mother always felt trapped. Except Geneva always tried sticking up for Larry. After all of the beatings and yelling, Larry finally gets the cops called on him. He then heads to prison. Ben and Geneva were then able to live a normal, healthy life.
Characterization-
The main character in this story is Ben McGee. He is a sophmore in highschool and lived a normal life with his mother Geneva and his aunt Fay. Until Geneva met Larry. Larry is a very abusive guy, who has no respect for anything except his beer. He is the typical abusive alcoholic that you would usually read about in these types of stories. Cindy was one of Ben’s classmates. Throughout the story you could tell that Ben liked her. She seemed like a good friend that was always trying to help Ben but Ben always pushed her away. Mr. Graham was Ben’s boss at the grocery store. he was a kind old man who loved to work hard but wasn't able to as he was old.
Setting-
The story mainly takes place at Larry’s house in Brooklyn. Most of the big events happened there, as in a lot of the beatings. The story also takes place at Bluford High School where Ben could never really keep his focus because of everything that was happening at home. His classmates always tried to help him but he was afraid to tell anyone. Another place that this story has a lot to do with is the small grocery store that Ben worked at. There was a robber who stole money out of the register. The time period that this story take place is present day.
Thematic Connection-
The message of this story that the author was getting across was that you can't hide everything inside. If you are having problems with anything, talk to someone. It helps when you talk to people who are willing to help figure things out. Deep down Ben really is a smart kid. He just couldn't focus right because he was always worried about Larry. He couldn't focus in school like he was always able to. He pushed all his friends away that were trying to help. You can’t be afraid to tell people how you really feel.
Overall this book was really good. I recommend this book to a more mature audience because it involves a lot of abuse. It tells a good story because all of Ben’s friends and teachers tried to really help him, but he pushed away. The ending was great when Larry got caught by police. If you are a fan of John Langan books, I strongly recommend this book for you. It was a great read.
I just read “Search for Safety”, and I thought it was a fantastic book. There were some points in the book where I had to stop reading because it really frustrated me. The way the author wrote the book made me feel like everything was real. It made me feel like I was the main character.The overall story was phenomenal. I have read a few books by this author and he never fails to impress me with them.
Plot-
The story starts off with this teenager who enjoys his life living with his single mother and aunt. Things don’t remain well for him. His mother meets this new man and they have to move out with him. The reason they have to move is because the mother’s new man has a new job. So, they had to move closer. The boy’s name is Ben, and his mother’s name is Geneva. Geneva and Larry, her new man, are getting married. Ben does not want to move at all because he likes living with Aunt Fay. Down the road of moving into the new house and new town, Ben comes to find out that Larry is a bad person. Larry is very abusive. He beats Ben and Geneva all the time. Once Ben started school and got a job at the grocery store, everyone could notice Ben. He had bruises everywhere and he just wasn't himself. They could tell something wasn’t right. This whole time they moved, Aunt Fay had to travel out to see their grandfather who now has Alzheimer's. Ben couldn’t get away from Larry. Him and his mother always felt trapped. Except Geneva always tried sticking up for Larry. After all of the beatings and yelling, Larry finally gets the cops called on him. He then heads to prison. Ben and Geneva were then able to live a normal, healthy life.
Characterization-
The main character in this story is Ben McGee. He is a sophmore in highschool and lived a normal life with his mother Geneva and his aunt Fay. Until Geneva met Larry. Larry is a very abusive guy, who has no respect for anything except his beer. He is the typical abusive alcoholic that you would usually read about in these types of stories. Cindy was one of Ben’s classmates. Throughout the story you could tell that Ben liked her. She seemed like a good friend that was always trying to help Ben but Ben always pushed her away. Mr. Graham was Ben’s boss at the grocery store. he was a kind old man who loved to work hard but wasn't able to as he was old.
Setting-
The story mainly takes place at Larry’s house in Brooklyn. Most of the big events happened there, as in a lot of the beatings. The story also takes place at Bluford High School where Ben could never really keep his focus because of everything that was happening at home. His classmates always tried to help him but he was afraid to tell anyone. Another place that this story has a lot to do with is the small grocery store that Ben worked at. There was a robber who stole money out of the register. The time period that this story take place is present day.
Thematic Connection-
The message of this story that the author was getting across was that you can't hide everything inside. If you are having problems with anything, talk to someone. It helps when you talk to people who are willing to help figure things out. Deep down Ben really is a smart kid. He just couldn't focus right because he was always worried about Larry. He couldn't focus in school like he was always able to. He pushed all his friends away that were trying to help. You can’t be afraid to tell people how you really feel.
Overall this book was really good. I recommend this book to a more mature audience because it involves a lot of abuse. It tells a good story because all of Ben’s friends and teachers tried to really help him, but he pushed away. The ending was great when Larry got caught by police. If you are a fan of John Langan books, I strongly recommend this book for you. It was a great read.
October 28, 2015
Personal Response: I thought the book Searching for Safety was an interesting book to read. In the book he was getting abused and people asked him if he needed any help but he wouldn’t take it. I didn’t like that Ben’s mom, Geneva, saw how Larry was abusing Ben, but she wouldn’t do anything about it. It was as if she was scared of Larry and that's the only reason she married him.
Plot: The story starts out when Ben is living with his aunt and mom in his aunt's apartment. Then Geneva, Ben's mom gets a new boyfriend named Larry. After a while of Geneva and Larry "dating" they get married, and so Ben, Geneva Ben’s mom, and Larry move into a house together. After they move in Larry lays down the house rules. He tells Ben he will go to his room when told, and whatever they ask of him he will do. Next they have a party and when Ben wakes up the next morning the whole house is a mess. When Larry gets home he is mad, Ben is downstairs, so he tells Ben to go upstairs and Ben replies “ this is our house to you know”, but Larry does not agree with that statement. Larry proceeds to beat Ben for talking back to him. At the end of the story, Ben goes to school and he talks to the police about the beatings, and they find Larry and put him into jail.
Characterization: Ben is an average high school kid. In the story, he is quiet because he gets beat but he doesn't want anyone to know, not even his own family. Ben’s mom Geneva is a pretty careless mother when there are signs that Larry is beating Ben she doesn't even look into to it. Larry is just a jerk, he does what he wants when he wants, bosses people around, beats people when they don't listen to him.
Impacts of Setting: I think the important part of the setting was the he was and Detroit and he was far away from home and his friends. It didn't help that he was so far away from home and his cousin was being mean to him cause he had to move. The distance from his friends and his hometown gave the book a different meaning if Hakeem stayed in California then the book wouldn't mean as much. The story takes place in the 21st century. I think that it is important to the story, because they didn't know about cancer in the early 1900's.
Thematic Connection: The theme of the of book is bravery. In the book, Ben is brave enough to stand up to Larry when he beat him and his mother. And at the end of the book he is also brave enough to ask the cops for help to stop Larry from beating him.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to boys who like to read an easy and short book. The book has a good storyline and it will keep you entertained while you read.I give this a five out of five stars.
September 18, 2013
Search for Safety is a really great book for people who like to read intense type of books. Search for Safety is about 16 year old Ben McKee, a smart young boy, who is having trouble at home, & in school. Ben used to live with his Aunt Fay & his mother. That all changed when Ben's mom Geneva got proposed to by her 4 month boyfriend Larry. Ben did not like Larry & Larry did not like Ben. Ben & his Aunt Fay knew that things just were not right with Larry. Little did they know Larry was crazier than they thought. Ben would now have to change schools, friends and schools. Larry, Geneva, Ben end up moving into this small dirty apartment. Wall is chipping, the house smells damp, & like smoke, Ben's bedroom door is starting to fall apart. This was not what Ben was Expecting, but that's all they could afford. Ben starts his first day of Bluford High, not that excited to start a new school, but Ben only goes here because his Aunt Fay wants him to. Ben frown turns upside down when he meets the beautiful Cindy Adams, a Sophomore just like Ben. Cindy is a cheerleader and Ben likes cheerleaders. Cindy helps Ben get to his first class, You will see that Ben has a crush on Cindy. Weeks go by, Ben is not doing so well in Bluford, his grades are slipping and he just does not care anymore. Things are not going good at home either. This is were all the drama is in the story. Larry and Geneva, have party's every night, not caring at all what Ben does. One night that all starts to change. Ben comes home from school after getting a job, at Grahams. A local grocery store in the neighborhood, which Ben loves to work at, to get a way from everything going on. He hears his mom, Geneva crying on the couch. Geneva has a swollen lip, and a black eye. All Ben can think about is Larry hitting his mom. Weeks go by of Larry physically beating Geneva. Ben just cant take it anymore. He tells Larry, what a bad man he is. Larry does not like that all of sudden, he starts kicking, punching Ben. Ben is so hurt that he does not defend himself. Weeks go by of Larry's physical abuse to Geneva & Ben. Larry always makes churlish remarks while beating both of them. All he wants to do when coming home is jostle them and drink beer. At school people notice Ben's bruises, all of his friends worry about his safety. People don't have to worry anymore,because I am not telling the rest. Read the great book Search to Safety to find out what happens to Ben & Geneva.
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December 21, 2008 The book Search for safety is about a boy named Ben that was bullied by his stepdad. He only lived with his mother because his dad left him andhis mom. His mother got mariied with . His mother though that he was a nice man but he really wasn't althoug he beat her and ben she still wouldn t do anything about it. Bens stepdad wanted to get away from bens aunty who they lived with. thought that she would help them get away from him because she also knew that he beat her sister and his newphew. convinced bens mom to move across town so they could be on there own. They moved across town even though Ben didn't want to.
Ben did not like being at home so he got a job at a local grocery store that was close to his house. One day when he was working some one came into the store and stole the money they had in the cash register. Bedn was the only one who could probably know who it was. Benonly saw the robbers eyes. Ben knew he had seen those eyes before but couln't quite remeber whos.
Things started to get worse and worsse with Bens stepdad he kept beating his mom and him more and more. Bens aunty the only person who could help him had gone on a trip to her mothers house. She told Ben before she left that if he needed anything to call her. Bens stepdad had got fired from his job so ben didnt have food to eat or anything. He began to save his money for food. But one day stole all his money. Ben was really angry and he confronted his stepdad about it. Ben who couldnt do much to stop him got beat again.
Unil one day Ben remembered where he had seen the eyes of the man that robbed the grocery store. It was best friend . Ben told the police what had been happening with him at home and the person that had robbed the store. When the police came to his house was so mad and wanted to almost kill Ben. The police came in time and got him. Ben and his mom where safe and where with his aunty who would keep them both safe.
Ben did not like being at home so he got a job at a local grocery store that was close to his house. One day when he was working some one came into the store and stole the money they had in the cash register. Bedn was the only one who could probably know who it was. Benonly saw the robbers eyes. Ben knew he had seen those eyes before but couln't quite remeber whos.
Things started to get worse and worsse with Bens stepdad he kept beating his mom and him more and more. Bens aunty the only person who could help him had gone on a trip to her mothers house. She told Ben before she left that if he needed anything to call her. Bens stepdad had got fired from his job so ben didnt have food to eat or anything. He began to save his money for food. But one day stole all his money. Ben was really angry and he confronted his stepdad about it. Ben who couldnt do much to stop him got beat again.
Unil one day Ben remembered where he had seen the eyes of the man that robbed the grocery store. It was best friend . Ben told the police what had been happening with him at home and the person that had robbed the store. When the police came to his house was so mad and wanted to almost kill Ben. The police came in time and got him. Ben and his mom where safe and where with his aunty who would keep them both safe.
March 18, 2016
Personal response:
I really liked the book because the story was different from the other books that I have read. This book is really sad because it's about a kid and his mom who gets beat by his step dad. I also like the author's books because they're different from the other books that I have read; it's just more realistic and truthful about what happens in real life. The author is also very good at describing events that happen in the book. My favorite part of the book was at the end, because Ben's step dad got arrested and the family was safe.
Plot:
The main character's name is Ben McKee,he was in the ninth grade and he lived a terrible life by seeing his mom get beat and he got caught in robberies at the local grocery store where he worked at. In the beginning of the book Ben lived with his aunt but then moved into his mom's house and had to change schools.The first week when Ben moved in he got jumped by the neighborhood boys because he had food and money on him. Ben and his mom got beat on a daily basis by his drunk step dad Larry, and he stole their money and keeped it for himself. Ben also got bullied by the other kids at his school because of being the new kid and he looked poor. At the end of the book Ben finds out that his step dad Larry planned the grocery store robbery with his friend. Then Ben and his aunt turned Larry in for the robbery and beating Ben and his girlfriend.
Recommend:
I recommend this book to people the ages of 14-17 because this is a sad book. This book is for boys and girls because it's different from other books, and it has a great story line that would catch the eye of both genders. I also recommend this book to people with family issues, because they would relate to it more. If a person likes short books with a good story this book would be a good read for him or her.
Want to read
May 5, 2009A wonderful author Paul Langan wrote the Bluford Series books. Thirteen books relating to everyday life of teenagers. These books are realistic. They are a quick read. Also multiple topics are covered in these books such as gun violence, bullying, love/relationships, and so much more. All the things teenagers experience in everyday life.
All the books in this series have the trait of being realistic. They all have everyday situations that people go through especially teenagers. All these books take place in some type of high school setting. So, the high school students in the books deal with the same high school experiences that high school students deal with in real life.
Bluford Series books are quick reads. This means that you get through them very quickly. They are all around 200 hundred pages. They are so interesting. Once you pick one of these books up its very difficult to put it down. In addition, since these books are so interesting you will want to read the rest of them after you read one of them.
There are multiple topics covered in these books. There is bullying, gun violence, relationships (love, and between friends). Some relationships start good and end badly and some vice-versa. There also are some family issues in some of these books. All of the topics fit well together.
Love, violence, guns, bullying are all the issues people in this book went through. These 13 books written by Paul Langan are by far one of the best series I have ever read. With them being realistic, quick-reads, and covering so many topics. It ‘s just wonderful.
All the books in this series have the trait of being realistic. They all have everyday situations that people go through especially teenagers. All these books take place in some type of high school setting. So, the high school students in the books deal with the same high school experiences that high school students deal with in real life.
Bluford Series books are quick reads. This means that you get through them very quickly. They are all around 200 hundred pages. They are so interesting. Once you pick one of these books up its very difficult to put it down. In addition, since these books are so interesting you will want to read the rest of them after you read one of them.
There are multiple topics covered in these books. There is bullying, gun violence, relationships (love, and between friends). Some relationships start good and end badly and some vice-versa. There also are some family issues in some of these books. All of the topics fit well together.
Love, violence, guns, bullying are all the issues people in this book went through. These 13 books written by Paul Langan are by far one of the best series I have ever read. With them being realistic, quick-reads, and covering so many topics. It ‘s just wonderful.
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March 1, 2012Dear Good Reader's
I've read this book called search for safety by:John Langan.It was about a boy named Ben who's mother has a boyfriend and the boyfriend thinks he can tell the son what to do and tries to play a father figure in his life.Ben is the main character and he is on a search for safety from his mother and her boyfriend.This book made me realize that having a step parent or a mother or father's girl/boy Friend living in your house can sometimes turn out for the better or the worst in Ben's case it was the worst.this book reminds me of a movie named Daddy's Little Girls By:Tyler Perry When the mother has a drug dealer boyfriend that beats on her daughter when they do something wrong until the father and the neighborhood beat the guy and his friends up and they got arrested and sent to jail.I thought the author wrote this book because maybe he was in the situation that Ben was in so he could relate to him.I recommend this book because i really enjoyed it and once you start reading the book you get connected to it and you can't stop reading it.
sincerely Samantha Wright
I've read this book called search for safety by:John Langan.It was about a boy named Ben who's mother has a boyfriend and the boyfriend thinks he can tell the son what to do and tries to play a father figure in his life.Ben is the main character and he is on a search for safety from his mother and her boyfriend.This book made me realize that having a step parent or a mother or father's girl/boy Friend living in your house can sometimes turn out for the better or the worst in Ben's case it was the worst.this book reminds me of a movie named Daddy's Little Girls By:Tyler Perry When the mother has a drug dealer boyfriend that beats on her daughter when they do something wrong until the father and the neighborhood beat the guy and his friends up and they got arrested and sent to jail.I thought the author wrote this book because maybe he was in the situation that Ben was in so he could relate to him.I recommend this book because i really enjoyed it and once you start reading the book you get connected to it and you can't stop reading it.
sincerely Samantha Wright
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January 15, 2009 This book is about a boy named Gary who gets beat on by his mother's boyfriend. He doesn't know how to get out of the situation with him, his mother, and his mother's boyfriend. Larry (mothers boyfriend) he drinks alot when his comes back home because of the tired day he had at work. So he drinks and drinks until he can't think anymore. After that he would lay down and Gary would come and get something from the kitchen. Laryy would get upset then beat on him and his mom whenever she comes and try to protect Gary. I can connect to this book because i'm usualy in between things. I get into peoples buisness then make a bigger fight out of it.
I recommend this book to people who like to have a picture in their mind whenever something juicy is going to happened because this aurthor explains a lot of detail in this book.I'll give this book a big 5 because I had aq clear picture everythime Gary gets beat on by his mother's boyfriend.
I recommend this book to people who like to have a picture in their mind whenever something juicy is going to happened because this aurthor explains a lot of detail in this book.I'll give this book a big 5 because I had aq clear picture everythime Gary gets beat on by his mother's boyfriend.
November 8, 2012
This was an exciting read! It keeps me wanting to read more and surprised at every chapter. "Search for Safety" is a fiction book by John Langan, told in first person. Ben McKee is a teenage boy, which goes to Bluford high. Throughout this novel, Ben is telling his story of survival for his mother and himself. He needs a way out, but he doesn’t know which path to go down to get there. Ben is desperately in need of help. His step-father, Larry, beats him and his mother and Ben is just tired of it! They go days without food because his step-father lost his job. I know that this novel is told in first person because, in the text words like, I, me, and my are being used by Ben which is the main charcater. For example, "He put his heavy shoe on my chest and pressed down until I started gasping for air" (Langan 74). This novel discussed a lot of violence; this author did an outstanding job on this book.
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February 5, 2016The book i read is Search for Safety by Paul Langan. it Is about a young boy named Ben Mekee. Ben had to deal with alot of challenges. For an example when Ben's mom marries a man named Larry, Larry likes to beat up on Ben's mom Larry also doesn't Ben's mom talk back to him or he would beat up on her.Larry is a man who wants nothing to do with Ben and he is a really abusive man. Another challenge Ben faced is he had to go move with his auntie but he wants to stay with his mom.Then after all that stuff happened Larry finally apologized and said sorry and their family had reunited back together.I liked this book because i like the character Ben. Because he really expresses himself in a way that people can understand where he is coming from. I would recommend this book to kids in a foster home who had challenges faced in the past. I would also recommend this book to kids that have been in the same situation as Ben.
September 2, 2014
Search for Safety is about the struggle a little boy goes through trying to get him and his mother out of their abusive home that they now live in since his mother remarried. Ben's step dad is all ways home so there isn't a way for Ben to avoid his worst nightmare. He cant turn to his mom because his mom as well is abused by him and is too scared to tell anyone. When Ben does find a way to not have to go home after school his step dad goes to where Ben has been working after school and trashes the market. Now Ben has no place to waste his time and no food for money. Ben feels as if there isn't hope but he thinks hard and long and realizes there might be one more trick up his sleeve. You should read Search for Safety because it gives you someone's perspective from the difficulties he has to go through and that with perseverance you can accomplish anything.
September 12, 2013
The book is a good book to pump adrenaline in some people. The book is about a boy named Ben McKee. Ben is going through a rough stage with a single mom and she marries a man named Larry Taylor. Ben isn't happy about this new decision and Larry isn't so friendly to Geneva(Ben's mom) and Ben. Larry is a person who drinks a lot of beer and he will hit you like he did to Ben and Geneva. The only person Ben really needs is his aunt because she was there when his mom and himself couldn't take care of themselves. I would recommend this book to people who likes a little violence and who likes to have a pounding heart from the hatred of Larry to the tears Ben faces.
September 29, 2014
Search for Safety is about a boy name been whose father
left when he was little so him and his mother left to go stay with his Aunt Fay and grandmother. His mother Geneva started dating Larry during the end of Ben's Freshman year at Lincoln. Ben mother marryed Larry, so they moved in with Larry near Bulford High. Ben attented Bulford High and started working at Mr.Grahamns store...At home Ben was also getting abused at home by Larry and his mother never noticed it all she would say is"stay out of his way sometimes he needs his space"...my favorite part about this book is when Ben met a some friends at Bulford..
left when he was little so him and his mother left to go stay with his Aunt Fay and grandmother. His mother Geneva started dating Larry during the end of Ben's Freshman year at Lincoln. Ben mother marryed Larry, so they moved in with Larry near Bulford High. Ben attented Bulford High and started working at Mr.Grahamns store...At home Ben was also getting abused at home by Larry and his mother never noticed it all she would say is"stay out of his way sometimes he needs his space"...my favorite part about this book is when Ben met a some friends at Bulford..
June 4, 2013
Search For Safety is about a boy named Ben and his mother. When Ben’s mother gets a new boyfriend, more things come with this boyfriend then expected. Ben and his mom move in with her boyfriend, leaving his aunts apartment which he loved staying at. They move to a small place that been hates. Not to mention there is never any food in the house, and when there is food in the house he is not allowed to eat any of it unless his stepdad isn’t there. His step dad abuses him and bullies him while Ben’s mother takes his side. I like this book because it was realistic and dealt with real issues.
October 7, 2016
I'm finished with Search for Safety: This book is about boy named Ben McKee who moves to a new town with his mom & stepdad. His stepdad is a alcoholic, smoker and abuses both Ben and his mom. Ben has to keep it a secret because he knows if he told, he would get in trouble by Larry. Ben goes to school and other kids question his bruises but Ben always makes up an excuse. Finally they put the pieces together and Ben confesses to the police & its over. I liked this book because even though Ben was going through a lot he still had the courage to keep going and search for help.
February 23, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book because it had me at the edge of my seat the whole time. I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. Ben was a regular teenage boy living with his Aunt Fay and his mother. When he found out that his mother was marrying his soon to be stepdad, his whole world turned upside down. Now that he was moving in with his angry stepdad, and now that Aunt Fay was out of the picture, Ben didn't know what to do.
December 8, 2015
This book is amazing. Its about a Boy named Ben,and is mother just got married. Her husband was so abusive towards them. Ben felt like there was no escape to this problem. His mom is telling him not to tell anyone about this and he obeys his mother. This book was so emotional-sad- until Aunt Fay came back.......
February 25, 2016
This book was about a teenage boy called Ben that is living now with his mother and stepdad after they got married. Soon as they moved in to their new house the beating's start. Ben and his mother are covered with bruises on their body's for weeks and they is no escape from Larry's beatings. Would Ben and his mother do something about it or live like this for ever?
November 10, 2009
it was amaszing it was about the boy that he got hit by his mom huzbend and his mom was getting hert and he finds out that hi mom husbend was robing i like it a lot it was good but i wish they can make a nother part of it
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December 16, 2009i just got my book today and so far its really good and im only on page 5.
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