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Shadow of a Doubt
Shadow’s life changed forever when his brother Daniel ran away. What will happen now that Daniel is home again?
For fifteen-year-old Shadow Thompson, life ended seven years ago―the night his older brother Daniel ran away from home. That’s when Shadow stopped depending on other people and turned inward, relying only on himself. But now Daniel is back and he stands accused of murder.
Shadow’s anger at his brother, his parents’ struggle to cope with the sudden return of their son, and Daniel’s own feelings of guilt create an emotional undertow that threatens to consume the family. But as Shadow begins to open up to new friends, he slowly learns to trust and finally, to forgive. Now the Thompsons may get a second chance at being a family.
Award-winning author S. L. Rottman once again crafts a powerful story that depicts the complexity of human relationships within the framework of a troubled adolescent’s struggle to make sense of the people and the world around him.
For fifteen-year-old Shadow Thompson, life ended seven years ago―the night his older brother Daniel ran away from home. That’s when Shadow stopped depending on other people and turned inward, relying only on himself. But now Daniel is back and he stands accused of murder.
Shadow’s anger at his brother, his parents’ struggle to cope with the sudden return of their son, and Daniel’s own feelings of guilt create an emotional undertow that threatens to consume the family. But as Shadow begins to open up to new friends, he slowly learns to trust and finally, to forgive. Now the Thompsons may get a second chance at being a family.
Award-winning author S. L. Rottman once again crafts a powerful story that depicts the complexity of human relationships within the framework of a troubled adolescent’s struggle to make sense of the people and the world around him.
197 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 9, 2009
Ernest "Shadow" Thompson is a teenaged social outcast of the self-imposed variety. He dresses all in black. Yet this is not why he insists upon being called "Shadow."
He insists upon this moniker because, until seven years prior, he followed his older brother everywhere, becoming his virtual "shadow" (get it?). Seven years prior, Shadow's brother ran away after Mom and Dad laid down the law with him, and the boy was never heard from again... until he calls from prison, accused of having killed a man in Denver.
On its own, the plot sounds like a winner - the deeper look into a family both split and rejoined on several levels. However, it is not an enlightening read. This is due to several factors:
- Shadow is a whiner. He cannot accept simple rules without receiving a detailed explanation as to why something is the way it is (for example, why he must remove his sunglasses for a photo I.D., or why a certain school project is pertinent to him specifically, etc.). So when his brother comes home for the first time in seven years (on bail, remember), Shadow prefers to spend his time alone in his bedroom, or after school hitting on the first female student he encounters that school year.
- Shadow's parents are two-dimensional caricatures of the Modern American Parent. They're strict, but not so much as to give them any depth of character. They're flexible to the point of being "shadows" themselves. Wholly predictable in nature, these parents are interchangable with most any other generic parent in television or in the movies.
- The situation itself, being almost downright surreal for the majority of readers, is treated in a decidedly blase manner. No one discusses the homicide case directly, save for Shadow's sarcastic barbs (of the "How come I get to be punished when he goes to jail for murder?" variety). Instead, everyone watches rental movies, or eats take-out pizza, or hangs out at the local pool house for hours, or...
- In fact, it is Shadow's extra-curricular activities (and proclivities, with the girl who seemingly wants nothing to do with him yet fits in with every other teenage storyline stereotype) which receive the most focus. Shadow joins the forensics team, for lack of anything better to do. He shrugs his way through debate preparations, and the reader is apparently supposed to take up the slack for his own apathy. Yawn.
Shadow of a Doubt - Shadow of an After-School Special would seem more appropriate a title.
He insists upon this moniker because, until seven years prior, he followed his older brother everywhere, becoming his virtual "shadow" (get it?). Seven years prior, Shadow's brother ran away after Mom and Dad laid down the law with him, and the boy was never heard from again... until he calls from prison, accused of having killed a man in Denver.
On its own, the plot sounds like a winner - the deeper look into a family both split and rejoined on several levels. However, it is not an enlightening read. This is due to several factors:
- Shadow is a whiner. He cannot accept simple rules without receiving a detailed explanation as to why something is the way it is (for example, why he must remove his sunglasses for a photo I.D., or why a certain school project is pertinent to him specifically, etc.). So when his brother comes home for the first time in seven years (on bail, remember), Shadow prefers to spend his time alone in his bedroom, or after school hitting on the first female student he encounters that school year.
- Shadow's parents are two-dimensional caricatures of the Modern American Parent. They're strict, but not so much as to give them any depth of character. They're flexible to the point of being "shadows" themselves. Wholly predictable in nature, these parents are interchangable with most any other generic parent in television or in the movies.
- The situation itself, being almost downright surreal for the majority of readers, is treated in a decidedly blase manner. No one discusses the homicide case directly, save for Shadow's sarcastic barbs (of the "How come I get to be punished when he goes to jail for murder?" variety). Instead, everyone watches rental movies, or eats take-out pizza, or hangs out at the local pool house for hours, or...
- In fact, it is Shadow's extra-curricular activities (and proclivities, with the girl who seemingly wants nothing to do with him yet fits in with every other teenage storyline stereotype) which receive the most focus. Shadow joins the forensics team, for lack of anything better to do. He shrugs his way through debate preparations, and the reader is apparently supposed to take up the slack for his own apathy. Yawn.
Shadow of a Doubt - Shadow of an After-School Special would seem more appropriate a title.
June 30, 2024
I loved the book , read it in one day until the ending…
Never did I dream the author would leave it open
… making me decide how things turned out.
Not my favorite type of ending to an otherwise great story!
Never did I dream the author would leave it open
… making me decide how things turned out.
Not my favorite type of ending to an otherwise great story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2008
Reviewed by Mark Frye, author and reviewer for TeensReadToo.com
In SHADOW OF A DOUBT, author S. L. Rottman tackles several issues superbly, weaving the plot and subplots into a multi-layered novel teens will love. While the main issue is family reconciliation, other subjects include alienation, friendship, and the stigma of having a relative in the criminal justice system.
The main character, Shadow, has had to deal with the absence of his older brother for nearly half his life. But when Daniel returns, the entire family's life is turned upside down. Their mom and dad have many questions but tread softly, not wanting to alienate their returned prodigal son. Shadow resents the warm welcome and the "molly-coddling" Daniels receives from them, particularly in light of the murder charge hanging over his head.
As the parents try to allow Daniel to come and go as he pleases as he waits for his trial, Shadow feels overprotected and resents his lack of freedom. He has joined the Debate Team at school and gradually finds a sense of belonging. But the questions linger about Daniel's guilt or innocence and tension builds in the home as the trial draws near. In the end, Shadow must confront his parents, his brother, and his own suspicions and fears in order to grow as an individual. This proves to be extremely challenging, making SHADOW OF A DOUBT an engaging read.
The characters are well-rounded, the dialogue quite realistic, and the raw emotions of a family in turmoil ring true. Rottman has accurately portrayed a family's pain as they cope with loss and recovery, two roads exceedingly difficult for parents and their children.
Recommended.
In SHADOW OF A DOUBT, author S. L. Rottman tackles several issues superbly, weaving the plot and subplots into a multi-layered novel teens will love. While the main issue is family reconciliation, other subjects include alienation, friendship, and the stigma of having a relative in the criminal justice system.
The main character, Shadow, has had to deal with the absence of his older brother for nearly half his life. But when Daniel returns, the entire family's life is turned upside down. Their mom and dad have many questions but tread softly, not wanting to alienate their returned prodigal son. Shadow resents the warm welcome and the "molly-coddling" Daniels receives from them, particularly in light of the murder charge hanging over his head.
As the parents try to allow Daniel to come and go as he pleases as he waits for his trial, Shadow feels overprotected and resents his lack of freedom. He has joined the Debate Team at school and gradually finds a sense of belonging. But the questions linger about Daniel's guilt or innocence and tension builds in the home as the trial draws near. In the end, Shadow must confront his parents, his brother, and his own suspicions and fears in order to grow as an individual. This proves to be extremely challenging, making SHADOW OF A DOUBT an engaging read.
The characters are well-rounded, the dialogue quite realistic, and the raw emotions of a family in turmoil ring true. Rottman has accurately portrayed a family's pain as they cope with loss and recovery, two roads exceedingly difficult for parents and their children.
Recommended.
March 19, 2009
Not quite as good as Rottman's best - Hero and Stetson - this is still an interesting exploration of how those closest to us hurt us, and what forgiveness means. The debate team sub-plot won't much appeal to some reader, but it does provide a vehicle for Shadow to come into his own. Rottman also doesn't adequately telegraph why Dan left home, leaving the reader few options but to chalk his seven year absence up to youthful indiscretion. Didn't quite work for me: I'd have liked to see a bit more of the family's dynamic.
Still, for those looking for a coming of age story with a couple of meaty themes, "Shadow of a Doubt" was a quick read.
Still, for those looking for a coming of age story with a couple of meaty themes, "Shadow of a Doubt" was a quick read.
February 14, 2008
This book was an awsome book if you like suspense.The throughout the book i did not know what was going to happen next. This book was a bout a boy who oes by the name shadow. He got this nickname because he followed his brother around everywhere. He loved his brother and he was very important to shadow. life was going good till one day when shadow's brother decided to run away from home and shadow and his parents had yet to hear form or seen shadows brother in seven years. One day out of the blue just when things seemed to be gtting back to normal the phone rang and bit was shawdows older brother. He was calling for the first time in seven years, and he was calling from jail. he was being accused for murder.
March 28, 2008
This book is about a sophomore in high school named "Shadow" Thompson. He has an older brother named Daniel but he ran away seven years ago. One night, when Shadow is doing his homework, the phone rings. He answers it and it's his brother who he hasn't seen in seven years and he tells Shadow that he needs bail money. The family later finds out that he has been accused of murder. I thought this was a really good book except for the fact that it was a cliff hanger. To find out what happens between Shadow and Daniel, and how Shadow is adapting to making new friends in high school, this is a good book to read.
May 11, 2007
When I read the back of the cover, I was definitely expecting more from the story. The plot line is set and interesting, yet the writing style and character personality was altogether unappealing and, from what I can tell, not very advanced or developed. The main character, Shadow, irks me and is one of those kids that I absolutely despise, so that may have contributed to my dislike for the book.
Despite my grudges, I have to admit the plot line and such were ok and teach a moral, however. It isn't a book I'd recommend to any of my friends, however; I didn't enjoy it enough to do so.
Despite my grudges, I have to admit the plot line and such were ok and teach a moral, however. It isn't a book I'd recommend to any of my friends, however; I didn't enjoy it enough to do so.
February 4, 2016
Shadow’s older brother Daniel ran away from home at age 15 when Shadow was 9. After 7 years away, he calls the family from a Denver jail. The parents go to bail him out and bring him home. Dan’s presence back home generates tension: His mother flutters around him serving his every need in the hope that he won’t leave again. The father wants to be strict about his coming and going. And Shadow finds his own life hampered because everyone is catering to Dan’s needs and his upcoming trial for murder. A perspective on the impact of one family member’s troubles on the family dynamic.
September 3, 2009
15 year old Shadow Thompson’s life has never been the same since his older brother Daniel ran away from home with Shadow’s piggy bank seven years ago. Now he’s entering high school, toying with joining the debate club and, for the first time in a long time, reaching out to a girl who intrigues him and a guy who shares his interest in debate. Then Daniel returns—a stranger accused of murder. Positive with a semi-open ending --good for discussion.
February 2, 2008
Again, another novel for my reluctant readers at school. This one is about a teenage boy who was never very popular and had major trust issues; his brother ran away from home for several years and then returns when he has a run in with the law. However, he turns his life around when he enters high school and even joins the debate team! They did enjoy the novel and it is an easy read!
May 7, 2010
This book is about 15 year old Shadow Thompson. Readers meet Shadow seven years after his older brother Daniel ran away. Shadow is about to start high school. Shadow is also starts to meet new friends and find a sense of himself. But then Daniel returns and even worse he is accused of murder. Will the family be able to handle the emotional return of Daniel?
March 25, 2012
YA - This realistic fiction read had a son running away from home at 15 and then calling from jail 7 years later. The book focuses on the younger son that has had to deal with all the emotional fallout since disappearence of his older brother. The brother may be back in their lives, but he is now on trial for murder. Middle schoolers will like it, but I could take it or leave it
July 29, 2008
This book was fun to read and I like watching Shadow learn about his brother. I definatly suggest it!!!!
Read
May 20, 2013A very good book. I liked how he changed over time to realize what was actually important to him and his family.
July 17, 2014
I thought this was a pretty good book. I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked the characters and plot of the story. I remember reading this book in High School
November 30, 2014
It was an okay book.
Read
April 30, 2018its a book
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews