Inside Out

by Terry Trueman

In a busy coffee shop, a robbery goes wrong. Two gunmen hold seven hostages, including teenager Zach Wahhsted. What nobody realizes at first is that Zach is anything but ordinary and his troubled mind is more dangerous than any weapon. Terry Trueman has created a compelling character with the same shocking power and heartbreaking compassion as his Printz Honor Award debut novel, Stuck in Neutral.

Ages 12+

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness, Mental Health, Teen, Crime

117 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Michael Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever read a book that can make you laugh, cry, and leave you in complete shock? If not, this is the book for you.

Terry Trueman won me as a fan when I read this book. There's not one negative I could give this book. Honestly, not one. The story is about a boy who has a disorder and how that disorder propels him through a very stressful situation, at least stressful to most people.

When I read this book, it forced me to see things that I don't understand in a whole new light. And when I hit the end of the book... Well, let's just say JAW DROPPING!

Read it, read it, read it! And you too will become a fan of Terry Trueman.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read more on my blog Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.

This book was pretty disappointing. While the premise was interesting, and the story itself had a lot of potential, I didn't think the writer did the story justice. I felt like the book was poorly researched and only moderately well written. The main character of the story suffers from schizophrenia and while I do not claim to be an expert, or even terribly knowledgable about this disorder, I did study it as part of my undergrad degree, and I felt that the description of this teenager suffering from the disorder was inaccurate and improbable, the sort of stuff you would get from a google search, (and not a very thorough one). For just one example; anti-psychotic medication doesn't work as quickly as the story suggests. At one point, in one of the chapter beginnings (all memos, letters, notes etc. from or to his doctor) the doctor mentions that overnight Zach seems to be doing better on the medication they have given him to calm him, and quite the voices. Many times throughout the story, it also mentions that if Zach doesn't take his meds at the same time every day, evil people who follow him will be back. Anti-psychotic medication takes between 2 and 4 WEEKS to become even moderately effective. I can't think of a single medication for a psychological disorder that will offer significant improvement overnight. AND, with most of the medication, you won't really suffer from an adverse reaction if you miss your dose by a couple of hours. That's one of the reasons it's so hard to keep patients with a disorder like this on their meds- right after they stop taking the meds, they still feel fine and can function as they normally do on their meds, and they don't have to deal with the side-effects, which often include being drowsy, or less alert etc. It's poor research. Stuff like that just doesn't happen with medication. Did he even research the issue?! Most of the story read like that. It felt like the author decided what to write about, realized he wasn't sure he knew enough, did a basic google search, and declared himself an expert. It was unrealistic and disappointing because the events would not have unfolded as depicted. Oh, and the very end? Like, seriously?! How totally lame! Sigh. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't very good either.

[Storm The Gremlin Child -Hiatus- · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gut wrenching like don't get me started. This book was for my reading class and it is about a boy who is schizophrenic who gets stuck in a robbery. You get attached to the main characters quickly and each character has their own sad story. Would completely recommend as it shows mental health in a good way.

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zach suspects that things might not be going well when two armed teens burst into the coffee shop where he is waiting for his mother. When their attempted hold-up goes wrong, the teens take everyone in the shop hostage, including the confused Zach. What the robbers don’t realize is that Zach suffers from paranoid adolescent schizophrenia. This condition has left the boy, even with proper medication, in a state of never really knowing the motivations behind other people’s emotions and actions. It also means that if he doesn’t get his medicine on time, two of his worst mental projections, "Dirtbag and Rat", may come and torment him to the point of suicide.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't really like to read big books. Unless if they are extremely interesting.This boy really refrains himself of jerking around and constantly talking. When you read this book, you have a diversity of thoughts rushing through your mind. Oh and emotions too! You really don't know how to feel when you read this book. Some people say sometimes if a book is really interesting it almost seems like your watching a movie. This book actually does exactly that. I am really glad I found this book. I really recommend it.

[Fifi Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so interested. I would've never pick it if my reading teacher wouldn't show it to me.

[Hailey Ogston]

In the story Inside Out, a boy named Zach is held hostage in a coffee shop, but nobody knows that his mind is a more dangerous weapon then anything. Zach is sixteen and has schizophrenia. The author Terry Trueman knows about mental illness. He has a B.A. in creative writing as well as an M.S in applied psychology. Inside out is the second book he’s written.

Zach was at the coffee shop where he waits for his mom to bring him his meds after school. Everything was going just fine while he was waiting, and all Zach could think about was getting a maple bar. While he was thinking of getting one, these two teenage boys broke into the coffee shop. Being that Zach is a schizophrenic, he isn’t sure if these boys are real or not, but by seeing other people’s faces he thinks they may be real. Seeing other people’s reactions really helped Zach.
These two teenage boys had guns and they were threatening to kill anybody who spoke or said a word, which was really difficult for Zach, seeing he always had a lot of questions. After a few moments, the police showed up, so the teenaged boys made everybody go to the back of the store, but that maple bar was still on Zach’s mind, while everybody else was very scared.
Generally the book explores what happens to Zach and how he deals with not having his meds for longer than he’s ever gone. Trueman writes in Zach’s perspective, which I think helps you want to read more, because you always know what he is thinking. I recommend this book because it keeps you wondering if Zach is going to be okay.

[Noah Marker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal Response
I think this book is good because it has very many moments where you want to know what will happen next. So it will make you keep on reading. I also like that it was weird in the book it said I also like that the book was strange at times. In one part it said, "the blood coming from his face looked like chocolate syrup and I want a chocolate ice cream now." It was very weird. The real reason I like this book is because it was very easy to read and if there was more books like this I would read it for sure.
Plot
What happen if I read it right was that at this coffee shop, Zach was going in to get some maple candy bars when these two kids came in with two guns saying "nobody has to get hurt so just listen to me and give me the money'! But as the book goes on Zach starts two feel bad for them because there mom just got cancer so they needed money for the medicine that would help her. So then Zach helps them with his doctor to get the medicine for there mom.
Recommendation
I think this book should just be for kids who are in high school and up because has bad language and suicide stuff. I also think that it can be for both boys and girl just I think it should be more for boys back has action and funny but probably not for girls. I also think I relate to this book because if my mom was sick and I didn't have the money to help her I would try to get the money any way I could.

[Lisette Quiroz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I remember the day I asked the librarians from my old school to help me find a new book, one that's a tad different from the ones I read like supernatural, romance, just plain happy.

They asked what kind I would like. So I think and out of no where, I think of my older brother, Luis. You see, my brother's Autistic. It's a sort of disorder. Not sure how to say it except like it's like being a child but you grow and grow and never change. If you want, look up "Autism" in Wikipedia and find out about it.

I asked her if they are any fiction books that's about disorders or anything like that. Then she showed me this book and tells me about it. I finished it in 2 days and I was pretty depressed for a few days after finishing it and reluctantly returning it.

I was sad for 2 things.
1: I had to return it.
2: I felt bad for people who had sons or daughters with that kind of disorder and still living through it all. Having to take care of that child, even though the other parent left, struggling to maintain a job and still looking after that child. And in the end, still trying their best. And for once, I could finally understand why my mother still tries and still succeed at that.

This is a must-read for those who know how it feels to have a child or sibling with a disorder. And for those who are strong and won't cry at the ending, crying like me.

[Shane Strauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I read, Inside Out by Terry Trueman is actually suspenseful, it is also really awkward. The book was also one of my favorite books, right behind Hatchet. It has a whole load of details and it only has 115 pages! Perfect for me. My book was about a robbery by two teens at a Coffee Cafe. They tried to rob the store for their mom's health. One boy is 14 another is 16. The main character of the book is a 14 year old schitzaphrenic teen named Zach. He doesn't understand some of the situations his is in so. . . he rarely has feelings. Through out the story Zach and the Robbers, Frosty and Stormy actually become friends. Zach just tries to help them out through the whole story by staying back with the Frosty and Stormy to keep them from getting arrested while all the other hostages leave. There are events like people getting shot, some kid almost gets his head blown off by the Cops, and Zach's schitzaphrenia takes a dive for the worst, or the best? In the end everyone is happy even if Alan and Joey (Frosty & Stormy) don't get what they nescaserally get what they want.

[Kyle]

In inside out my opinion is that the book is ok so far kind of a lot of things are happening like the teen robbers that come into this coffee shop and stick the place up and the main character in my story is a little different he can't and can function right he is slow at know reality, like if something isn't really there.My character alsohas enough courage to say something to the teen kids with a gun in his face without really even knowing it. I think that takes a lot to stand up to someone with a gun in your face and there were other people in the coffee shop that could help stop the teens and there was even a little girl like just imagine how the little girl felt, I mean the little girl ain't even that old she's not going understand whats happening and it could be really traumatizing for her.

[E]

My goodness, what a story.
Mine, not this one.
My sister's kindergarten teacher knew I was a book kid, and for some reason it occurred to her that I would like this thing, so she handed it to me and expected me to read it and not be terrified and confused.
Good job. You should definitely be teaching 5-year-olds.
So then I mispronounced the neurological disorder "shy-no-pairs-ee-ah" and cried to my parents that I was afraid I would get it.
Don't let 8-year-olds read this. Just don't.
I hardly recall the quality of the book, but as a young child I had no bloody clue what it was trying to say. I just found it really scary.

[Rachel McMenemy · Rating 4 out of 5]

To me this book was entertaining. At times it was funny and sometimes scary. The quick read book is about a man that walks into a coffee shop just wanting to get a maple bar. While at the shop there is a burglary. The man that wanted the maple bar has schizophrenia so he isn't really sure if the burglary is real. He makes smart ass comments, which are very funny. Also the burglars happen to make things scary and intense at some points. The burglars keep the story intriguing and keep going.

[Filipe]

I thought it was a good book, but nothing special. It's a really short read so it get right to the point not that many details. I thought that it was interesting how the boy had schizophrenia and would almost get everyone killed because you couldn't stop talking. Its not a bad book, and I would recommend to anyone that doesn't want to read a long book.

[Kristi]

So if you have ever watched Silver Linings Playbook, you are probably well-aware of the scene where Bradley Cooper's character throws his copy of A Farewell to Arms out the window in disgust and anger at the ending. That is what I wanted to do for the ending of this book.

[Carter Greening]

Personal Response
I enjoy the book Inside Out because it is very suspenseful. I like this book because Zach is always very happy. I also found this book interesting, because it is not normal for someone to converse with the robbers like Zach did.

Plot Summary
The start of the book is just a normal day for Zach. He goes to a small coffee shop every day after school and waits for his mom to pick him up. As Zach sits and waits, he notices the small amount of people in the coffee shop. Then two teenage boys, named Frosty and Stormy, walk in with guns. The boys demand all the money in the shop and they would get away with it if Zach wouldn’t say anything. Zach asks the robbers all sorts of questions, which holds them up until the cops get there. Frosty and Stormy take everyone into the back of the coffee shop and hold them hostage until they think of a plan. The only problem is, Zach cannot get his medicine when he needs it and he starts to try to commit suicide. Once Frosty and Stormy stop him from doing so, they head out of the coffee shop and nobody gets hurt besides Frosty’s hand.

Characterization
The book is told through the first-person view of Zach. Zach is a very mentally unstable person who ends up stalling the robbers. Zach's character seems very annoying and childish towards everyone in the book. Everyone seems to be annoyed by everything Zach does.

Frosty and Stormy are the robbers of the coffee shop. They are very distractible people and seem to want to have everything done their way. They become very sensitive towards the end of the book when they tell Zach why they robbed the store. Frosty and Stormy are very honest characters throughout the book.

Setting
Inside out takes place in a small coffee shop in a city during the late afternoon of a weekday. The reason the coffee shop is important to the book is because that is where the robbery takes place. Happening in the late afternoon is important to the story because the longer Zach waits the more he needs his medicine.

Thematic Connection
Inside Out has many themes but one main theme is courage. Courage is used by not letting something take control of a person’s life. This is evident to the main character because he is stranded with Frosty and Stormy but would not let them control them and make him do anything he doesn’t want to do.

Recommendation
I would recommend this book to middle school and above, because it is an easy and fun book to read. I think the book is best for the male gender because there are guns and robbery. Lastly, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action and suspense.

[Marwan El-Rifai]

Inside out is about a boy named Zach who has a mental problem that he has to deal with daily.He has two voice in his head that tell him to commit suicide. He waited inside a coffee shop like he usually does to wait for his mom to come come until to teens come with guns. They wanted to rob the bank to get money for their mom who was diagnosed with cancer. The cops come and demand the robbers to let Zach and all the hostages leave safely. Zach's medicine started to wear off and his voice in his head started to get louder and louder. After that, the robbery ends peacefully and Zach sees his doctor again. Later on, Zach committed suicide. This book was very interesting and the end was very shocking to see how this all ends for Zach.

[Alec Fierimonte · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book inside out by Terry Trueman is about a boy named Zach, who suffers from schizophrenia. He ends up being caught in the middle of a robbery. Throughout the whole book you get to understand a bit on how Zach perceives stuff. He hears voices in his head telling him to do different things which is crazy to think a person has to go through that. The book is pretty interesting overall and has a plot that seems to keep you on your toes most of the time. The ending of the book caught me a little off guard. But overall I would recommend this book.

[Travis James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good for many different reasons. One reason was that it was super suspenseful and I really like books that are suspenseful. It was also good because of the amount of detail and overall the story line of a troubled kid caught in this situation. Although the ending is sad, I would recommend this book for people who like suspense.

[Jimmy Clifford]

“Inside Out” by Terry Trueman is a very interesting book about a boy with mental disabilities who is a victim of a robbery. He often has trouble differentiating reality and his imagination. I do not recommend this book to someone who is sensitive to graphic content. However, I do recommend the book to someone who is interested in tragedies or horror novels.

[Grace Reich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy read; finished it in one night. I think it’s a great way and perspective to understand the symptoms of schizophrenia from the perspective of the character. However, it’s being from 2003 some of the ideology is a little dated. But very compelling!

[Jeff Lochhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read on the topic of early-onset Schizophrenia. I appreciate the fact that Trueman writes about topics that are not common, and adds voice to those who may struggle to share it on their own.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting premise, but not too accurate to schizophrenia which is why I knocked off a couple stars. I liked the clinical notes in the beginning of every chapter, and the ending had me surprised.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Thoughtful book about schizophrenia.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished the book I was reading and it was "Inside Out" By Terry Trueman. As an overall book I would have to say it was enjoyable it wasn’t like alot of books I read but it was interesting to say the least. At the beginning of the book it caught my attention, because alot like a bunch of stories that are being published it starts off in the middle to close end. The reader is opened up to the climax for the story and is than brought to the beginning of the story. After about the second chapter I started to get "hooked" and I couldn’t put the book down until I finished the book in a matter of 2 hours. The author Terry Trueman did a good job there was a few parts that I thought were kinda redundant, but of course that could have been part of the story. If it was than I missed it all I seemed to have noticed and it to me seemed very redundant (get my picture). Although it is a great leisure book to read on like a rainy day. At the beginning of the book I thought all sorts of things some involving the main character and some that had nothing to do with the main character. So no I didn’t start to figure out what was going to happen until the last some on pages, which is a good way to keep the reader interested.
Throughout the story there are characters I found to like and others that I didn’t care for that much. As an example I would have to say that a character I couldn’t connect to was the character "Joey". There is just something about his personality that I strongly disagree with.
On the flip side 2 characters I liked were Zach and Stormy. I like them both because the author makes them enjoyable by no derogatory language to others and they just seem to have good personal qualities about them.
One thing this book is a rollercoaster of emotions there is a lot of comic relief in the story. Just about every emotion there is the author was able to incorporate into the story through either the character or the reader’s emotion. In my point of view I think that the authors suppose is first this is a continuation in the series that he wrote. Another reason the author could have wrote this story would be even though you might think you are having the worst day and nobody knows how you feel that isn’t necessarily true. What you may not know is that there are others who are having just as bad luck if not worse and don’t complain about it. Also the fact that you should be grateful for what you have and what you don’t have.
While reading the book things kept me reading such as how well the author was able to show highs and lows of each character. All while demonstrating everyday issues that can be caused into situations that are "quiet sticky" that were created out of little issues.
People I would recommend this to would be every teenager because of the fact that we all think that our life is hard and nobody understands. If teens are able to enjoy and read this book it would show that maybe your life is great and that you should appreciate what you have and what you don’t have.
If this book were to be published into a movie actors and actresses would play the part I don’t know any actors and actresses that can’t play the part all they need is to be able to keep a constant acting role but otherwise they all can do it all.
My favorite line of the book is a toss up off the entire book I cant choose one line compared to another with out each the book wouldn’t make since so no I cant choose just one line in the entire book.

Sincerly I_cant_fix_your_stupidity

[Ryan Pomerenke · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Inside Out” is an interesting book that focuses on one particular afternoon from the perspective of Zach Waahsted, a schizophrenic teenager. Due to his disorder, Zach struggles with social interaction. One day after school, Zach is waiting for his mom to pick him up at a local coffee shop. All of a sudden, two boys with guns walk in and attempt to rob the cafe. This story highlights how Zach handles the situation and works with the gunmen.

This book is told from the point of view of Zach, the main character. The two gunmen, Alan and Joseph Mender, are also important characters. Alan and Joseph are unusual criminals, is that they are brothers who are about Zach’s age. The author uses mainly indirect characterization to describe everybody.

“Inside Out” is set in modern day Spokane, Washington. The entire story takes place on one day in the Sunshine Espresso.

I took two main themes from this story: acceptance of others, and cooperation. Right away, Alan and Joseph are annoyed by Zach. After Zach explains his schizophrenia to the gunmen, they try to understand why Zach is the way he is and to treat him well. Understanding they are all in this together, Zach and the Mender brothers put their differences aside in order to achieve the best possible outcome.

I enjoyed this book. “Inside Out” was a quick and interesting read. There were also parts that really shocked me. I would recommend this book to any young adult of either gender.

[Sydney Bartel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal Response:
I thought that this book was pretty good. It was a little slow paced, but I ended up enjoying it. It was a very easy read. You wanted to keep reading it to find out what would happen next.

Plot:
This book was about a schizophrenic teenage boy named Zach. Zach was waiting in the coffee shop for his mother to pick him up when two robbers broke in and held everybody at gunpoint. The cops came and the thieves made everybody go into a back room and held them as hostages. The robbers ended up being two teenage boys who were just trying to get enough money to pay for their mother's medical bills. They ended up being pretty good guys and became good friends with Zach. After they made and agreement with the police to only be charged as juveniles, they let everybody go. At the end of the story, weeks after everybody was set free, Zach ended up killing himself due to his schizophrenia.

Characterization:
Zach was a teenage boy who was schizophrenic. His character grew a little bit throughout the story because he really learned to face the voices inside of his head. He learned that they would go away if he could overcome them. Zach really learned to face his fears throughout the story.

Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to middle school and high school students. I think both genders would really like this story. Anyone who is looking for a quick and easy read will most likely enjoy this book.

[Eric G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inside Out was an interesting read, it was hard to understand what was going on in the begining. But by the time I got to the second paragraph i understood the setting and what was really going on. I liked the book but there wasnt't much going on throughout the story. It was interesting to read through but half way through the book to me it started to get boring considering all the characters are sitting in the back of the coffee shop for about 75% of the story. I think the authordid a great job expressing the feelings of the characters and their personalities but i tink he could have done a better job making the story more exciting for the reader.

The book Inside Out is about a coffee shop robbery that goes wrong and a kid named zach who happens to get cought in the middle of it. The two gunmen take sseven hostages into the back of the shop against there will. Zach tries to help but with few options and time running out what will the two theifs descide to do read the book to find out.

[Nightrunner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was too short and I want to read more!

Being inside Zach's brain is very interesting and unlike many other authors trying to depict schizophrenia Trueman manages to do it without turning it into a joke or a horror story. Zach is just a kid with a malfunctioning brain.

The description of the book gave me the wrong idea of what this was going to be though. "has a mind more dangerous than any weapon", that phrase led me into believing the book was going to tell the story of a sociopath, which is not at all the same as schizophrenia. This is a very touching story about a disease of the brain and it engourage compassion for those who suffer from it.

As a sidenote I recommend it to roleplayers of World of Darkness who seek inspiration for a Malkavian and want to avoid playing a fishmalk.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing read and should be on everyone's must-read list.

Zac Wahhsted is a young man that has a tough time understanding himself or others. He's a diagnosed schizophrenic but this likeable young man gives us a glimpse into a confusing child-like world that will have you laughing out loud one moment and tearing up the next. At only 120 pages of clear concise prose this is a lightning quick read and when you finish it you know that you'll remember aspects of it forever.

Zac is one of those unforgettable once in a lifetime characters that you sometimes meet in fiction. You'll never see mental illness quite the same after reading this.

I can't recommend this book highly enough.