Vandal

by Michael Simmons

I got treated pretty badly by Jason. He never set me on fire, but he was pretty mean to me. All the same, there was part of me that desperately wanted him to like me.

Will is pretty much your average, garden-variety 15-year-old. He does well enough in school, plays in a rock band, chases girls with little success, and has a typical collection of oddball friends. With one significant exception. For the last several years, he has been systematically beaten up—physically, mentally, and emotionally—by his 18-year-old brother. The impact of Jason’s seemingly inexplicable behavior on Will, and the other members of his family, is the subject of Vandal . This novel is taut, gripping and at the same time riotously funny.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Librarian note: there are several authors on Goodreads with this name. This is Michael^^^Simmons.

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Reviews

[Alexa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not finish this book because it didn't hook me In at all. I kept pushing myself to read more but I just dreaded every moment of it, I didn't like it. It was about a kid with a older brother who was a trouble maker he vandalized a lot of places, beat people up, has been to juvie, etc. The story was really boring I didn't get it at all, I didn't know where it was going.

[Jay G · Rating 2 out of 5]

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Will is your average 16 year old in a family of 5. He has an older brother named Jason, who for as long as he can remember has had trouble with his behaviour. He is always being brought home by the police. The only thing that Will and his brother seem to have in common is the love for their little sister, Olivia. Will spent most of his time playing lead guitar in a KISS cover band. Just when things seem to look better, Jason does something unthinkable.

I wanted this book to be more heart wrenching and emotional. I felt that the reaction Will and his parents had to Jason's behaviours was a little unbelievable. I feel like they should have tried to do more about his behaviour, rather then keep saying everything was okay and that he would change. I mean, really guys? He's been sent to juvie, if that didn't change him, nothing would.

I felt that all the characters were very one-dimensional and there wasn't really any character development at all through out the story.

[Mr. White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Vandal by Michael Simmons
The story of Vandal follows the month long trials and challenges faced by a family of five. This journal style story follows the main character Will as he lived an average fifteen-year-old life. Will had trouble talking to women and also has a troublesome brother. His brother Jason has been getting into trouble ever since Will can remember. Now that Jason was older, his ‘run-ins” with the police have become more serious. For that whole summer, Jason was sent to juvenile hall after setting fire to a local business dumpster and roof. While Will’s brother was often in trouble, his sister Olivia and him were not. Olivia enjoyed dancing ballet while Will enjoyed displaying his alter rock and roll personally while performing for a KISS cover band. The relationship amongst the three siblings is complex. Yet there is one distinct that makes their relationship and feelings make sense.
As I read this story, I found myself growing confused. The book is written in such away that the author jumps around between ideas. The author is also writing from the perspective of a young adolescent, and what adolescent doesn’t have jumbled ideas? The personal voice and thought draw the reader to keep reading. Just as I became confused or thought the information was not needed, a plot point would come up where it was needed. The language of the book is one that a young high school student would use as well.
After finishing the book, I was left with a lot of questions and thoughts. The ending and the emotions of the book really made me think. They made me think, “Would I have reacted the same way? What would I do if this was my brother?’ I became extremely involved and intrigued by the emotional thought of the main character. I would often read ending passages multiple times to fully understand the thought. I found myself match the emotions of the main character, and yet it was hard to tell if I would react the same way. The saving grace to this book was the ending. The ending made the entire book and its random thoughts make sense.
As stated in the previous paragraph, my dislikes of the book were based upon the random thoughts and tangents that seemed to occur. I understand the author’s intention, however at the beginning of the book, the author’s voice (Will’s voice) said that this story was about his brother. As it turns out, a good majority of the book is about Will and his daily life activities and thoughts. It is not until the end of the story when Will’s world comes crashing down around him that the story is about Jason. This extreme change in the plot will draw the readers in. If anyone has ever had a complex friendship, relationship or family member, this book is the book for you!

[Georgina Lacayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked the theme of this book. Liked that it really didn't have a structure to it, Will just told what came up to his "mind" when what was happening called for it. I think this is kind of thing that all authors should experiment with (I know I'll try it although I'm certainly NOT an author), because it gives the sense of a randomness that does not ruin the story, on the contrary, it grants it a very distinguished appeal. You will want to finish it asap, especially with his remarks that foreshadowed the end. Pretty cool.

I got only one quote though:
It's funny, but when you're telling a story, the parts that seem like they'd be the easiest are usually the hardest. And vice versa...It's hard to tell good stories, period. And the bigger the story, the harder it gets.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is so unassuming, yet I try to give it to as many kids as possible since it's so powerful. Older brother is continually screwing up, while younger brother is always having to accept that his older brother is a screw-up, to the point where their parents expect the younger brother to help "make things right." But when older brother screws up for the last time (by running in to the back of the car that his young sister and mother are in, critically wounding the sister), the younger brother STILL has to bail out his older brother. Good thing younger brother has his head on straight and realizes that his brother will never change.

[Rowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character was good, very early 2000s, the internal struggle of how he felt about his brother was really compelling. When someone you love does something terrible, why shouldnt one feel pity for them, despite their terrible choices?
It's astonishingly clear that Jason has some kind of personality disorder, and I think that should've been explored a bit.

What was that ending tho??? His sister is probably never going to recover, there's no solution to Jason's problem or any sort of explanation as to why he does the things he does (granted, the book DOES tell you that there isn't really an explanation for Jason's problems).

3.5/5, pretty good book. Finished in like an hour.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever known someone who stayed in trouble and was always saying "I'm sorry"? This story is told from the point of view of the kid brother of a guy like that. The narrator is 16 and suffers from lots of normal 16 year old guy insecurities, particularly about girls. He plays in a KISS imitation band so there's a good bit about what that's like. He has a great mom, dad, and sister, but suffers with the problems his older out-of-control brother causes his family. Not as exciting as I thought it would be but still an interesting look at certain personality types.

[Carrie Rolph · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book claims to be about a guy with an older brother who's always getting into trouble and bullying people, but it's actually mostly about a guy who plays in a KISS tribute band and oh yeah, at the very, very end his older brother's history of getting into trouble catches up with their family and then it all ends too quickly. It was a very oddly structured climax. Still, I liked it. It was kind of like a tamer version of Fat Kid Rules the World.

[Kate Shanks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book at my local Dollartree. "Vandal" is perfect for struggling readers. The length is pretty short and the plot is easy to follow. Will's older brother, Jason essentially abuses him and commits crimes in the community. The story centers on how Will copes with Jason when he does the unthinkable. The book claims to have funny parts but I couldn't find them. Students should be able to relate with the frustration and angst Will is experiencing.

[Johniskevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good for the most part. It did swear a little, but sometimes that makes some parts better.

The book is about a kid that plays the guitar and is in a band that imitates KISS. Like all high school boys, he has troubles with his older brother, problems talking to girls, and has family issues.
But his family might have more issues when something happens to someone.

[Kenneth Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vandal is a very well written book, quite different than what I pictured it might have been, but it was simply spectacular. A truly marvelous piece of work, and while it might not be for everyone, it was certainly wonderful enough to keep me reading it. I implore each of my friends to find a copy of this book and have at it!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

15 year old boy who plays lead guitar (Ace) in a Kiss cover band. His older brother has had problems with bad behavior for years and just returned from a juveline detention stay. Told in first person. Very realistic exploration of the mixed feelings of siblings when one of them has mental/behavior problems. There are no happy endings, just life.

[Mena · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was touching & enlightening to how much of an effect someone can have on you . Mainly because of the blood that ties you together . Michael has shown the depressing part of family. That people don't always change despite how much their family is suffering . & the positive side : your family will never cut you off . Riveting & beautiful

[Helena Ison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn't exactly what I thought it would be, but I still enjoyed it. It was a quick read that was well worth reading. The underlying message of this book is one that everyone should be able to relate to...

You don't give up loving someone in your family no matter what they do to cause you pain... sometimes it's hard but that's what family is for... everlasting support.

[Tarsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vandal was an interseting read. There are many parts of this that remind me of my brother who constantly drove me crazy. His brother makes my brother look like a saint. This book shows how we all have to deal with people who are going to make our lives miserable, but blood is thicker than water.

[Brandon Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will is pretty much the average teenager. HE does really well in school, so he gets to play in a rock band. He loves to chase around girls but with very little success. He also has a wired collection of addball friends.
His older brother likes to torment him physically,mentally, and emotionally.

[Ifahh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was a little hazy for me. I mean it's obvious that Jason would end up doing it again no matter what he says. The story can't end with him saying 'I'm sorry I won't do it again' for the second time. So... yeah. Not so much of a great read.

[John x · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice read of 120 pages. Not much went on but it was nice to read about a kid that is having troubles with his big brother, just like i am. I liked it, but i felt the ending could have been better.

[Dom · Rating 2 out of 5]

vandal was alright. I knew what was going to happen so early on in this book, that it basically made me lose interest. Some scenes were boring and dull and i felt that the book lacked a specific ending. I felt that the book ended poorly.

[Martha Plumlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

You almost know the ending before you get started. I was disappointed in the way the author leaves the reader without a complete understanding of Will's brother, but I did like the way the Simmons portrayed the family.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a good choice for teaching tone. Characters appear complex, but the exploration of their complexity and the resolution feel thin. Young readers who need a driving plot and drama to keep them engaged - my 7th graders - will struggle to care by the time the climax occurs.

[Rachel's Book Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good expression of emotion

However, it perpetuates domestic violence as something to accept rather than escape-recover from.

Also seems to be a lot of redundant material which is ironic given its short length.

Full review soon.

[Angela Sellers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that really hits you deep. I really learned a lot from it.

[Ashley dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitly not my fave book, but worth the time to read.

[D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh.

No real redemption. I mean...really?

[Gabriel Arce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great book. I recommend it to anybody and everybody. You have to read it to know what's happening in the book. No spoilers for this book! :p

[Dakota Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book has a good mixture of seriousness, and humor; i like this book so far!

[Darklysewn · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting story of a family torn apart by one child's inability to understand his own actions

[Nicholas Barcelona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. I just got bored a little on the start, but eventually, I loved it. But then, I was somehow expecting something on the ending.

Though, it really is a good read!