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Nailed
The nail that sticks out farthest gets hammered the hardest. Flint Southwestern High School is run by a the jockarchy. And Bret Hendricks could never fit into their conformity cult. Bret doesn't mind standing out from the crowd when he's on stage acting or singing in his band. And he feels at home in his funky girlfriend's arms because sticking out together doesn't seem as hard. But loyalties aren't what Bret thinks they are, as his safe havens seem to disappear one by one, and he learns that sometimes you just have to risk getting hammered in order to build a great future. For any teen who feels that standing out is harder than just conforming. Patrick Jones's second novel nails the real truth about the high price of hiding one's true self.
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2006
27 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Jones
246 books224 followersPatrick Jones is the author of five realistic teen novels, most recently Stolen Car((Walker / Bloomsbury, 2008). His first young adult novel Things Change (Walker & Company, 2004) was named by the Young Adult Library Services Association as a best book for reluctant readers, and was runner-up in the Teen Buckeye Book Award selected by Ohio teens. His second novel Nailed was published by Walker / Bloomsbury in spring 2006 and was a runner-up for the Great Lake Book Award. His 2007 novel, Chasing Tail Lights, is nominated for the Minnesota Books Awards. His most recent (and last) professional publication is Connecting with Reluctant Readers (Neal-Schuman, 2006). In 2006, he won lifetime achievement awards from both the Catholic Library Association, and the American Library Association. Jones is a frequent speaker at library conferences, having visited all fifty states, as well as in Canada, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Jones grew up in Flint, Michigan, but now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Read more at his web page www.connectingya.com, including FAQs about Things Change and Nailed (perfect for book reports!). NOTE: After a bruising experience with another author, he's limited his reviews on Good Reads to only raves as not to disturb the "fellowship" of YA writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
December 18, 2008
Young adults would like this - especially boys. This is one of those books about being an awkward teen that wants to be an individual but doesn't want to be noticed. The main character experiences love and loss, sex, friendship and betrayal, and bullying. Amidst these experiences is a storyline involving freedom of speech and trying to rise up against the school jocks, who run the school and bully any outsiders. Its a short, easy read. Not a great book and not destined to be a classic, but teens would enjoy it and relate.
December 13, 2009
Just like hos other book, Things Change, Nailed is such a great book in character study. Bret Hendricks is a kid who loves to act in the school plays, is not a jock, and likes to piss his father off by not showing any interest in fixing cars. As a result, Bret is constantly being "nailed" by his father - the nail that sticks out the farthest, gets hammered the hardest. He has a really sympathetic mom, who he confides him and trusts. He has great freinds in his band, Alex and Sean and he in totally in love with Kylee and feels at home each time he has dinner with her parents, the Edmonds. Bujt life in school is very difficult for Bret, with the constant bullying of Hitchins who calls him a "faggot" and pushes him down and hits him when no one is looking. Even when Bret goes to the principal and guidance counselor, they don't understand or totally believe Bret's assertions. So Bret gets loud, in trouble and if he messes up one more time, he will be expelled. It is only by fighting back the right way, that Bret gets the courage to take a stand. A terrific read for the reluctant reader, for the kid who is bullied and an honest look into the workings of high school.
March 26, 2024
As a teen and young adult I remember this book changing my outlook on life. As a kid who always wanted to stand out but couldn't handle the pressure and push back when I would get hammered down I found myself relating to the main character. Hell I even played bass and was in a band like he was. As an adult reading this book changed my perspective on it. The jockarchy stereotype as Brett called it is a little cliche, the bullies felt like bullies with no true rhyme or reason. Brett ultimately sympathizing and victimizing the columbine shooters was in poor taste as well once you learn that they weren't the persecuted uncool kids the media made them out to be. Overall though it felt very real, teenage angst, rage. Finding that middle ground with your pops. 4 stars because I'm being honest but a five star in my heart.
November 20, 2014
This book was kind of everything I had been expecting it to be, and I really, really enjoyed it.
The book follows Bret, a junior in high school who can't really seem to go a few days without someone tearing him down. He's in a band, he does theater, he wears his hair long and colorful - and there's always someone, whether it be his dad or bullies at school, willing to say something about it. And basically? This explores how, exactly, he can make up with his dad - who he's convinced hates him - and maybe survive junior year without getting totally demolished by bullies. And it was a really entertaining, kind of heart-wrenching read at times.
I liked Bret. He was a fun main character, and probably my favorite overall out of the book - he was interesting, he had insecurities that made sense, and overall, I really did like reading about him. His friends, Alex and Sean, weren't bad either, though I have to say I did prefer Alex. Overall, the side characters weren't bad? They didn't feel like cardboard to me, so that was nice.
With a book like this, which doesn't really have a point a-to-point b plot, the best thing is that it keeps me interested, and this definitely kept me interested. I read it in almost one sitting - it's a short, fast read that keeps you engaged in the story and wanting it to end happily. So, overall, I did really like it. There was maybe just something in there that didn't really 'click' with me, but I did super enjoy it a lot.
The book follows Bret, a junior in high school who can't really seem to go a few days without someone tearing him down. He's in a band, he does theater, he wears his hair long and colorful - and there's always someone, whether it be his dad or bullies at school, willing to say something about it. And basically? This explores how, exactly, he can make up with his dad - who he's convinced hates him - and maybe survive junior year without getting totally demolished by bullies. And it was a really entertaining, kind of heart-wrenching read at times.
I liked Bret. He was a fun main character, and probably my favorite overall out of the book - he was interesting, he had insecurities that made sense, and overall, I really did like reading about him. His friends, Alex and Sean, weren't bad either, though I have to say I did prefer Alex. Overall, the side characters weren't bad? They didn't feel like cardboard to me, so that was nice.
With a book like this, which doesn't really have a point a-to-point b plot, the best thing is that it keeps me interested, and this definitely kept me interested. I read it in almost one sitting - it's a short, fast read that keeps you engaged in the story and wanting it to end happily. So, overall, I did really like it. There was maybe just something in there that didn't really 'click' with me, but I did super enjoy it a lot.
July 27, 2014
Not impressed. The main draw of this book was, for me at least, that it took place in a town about 20 miles from me. The "jockarchy" viewpoint was relatable, as was Bret's passion for theater. I enjoyed the plot, but the characters blurred into one another--they were all one-sided and bland.
It was also just poorly written in general. There were multiple punctuation and grammar mistakes that were sometimes hard to read past. In addition to these annoying errors, there was virtually no descriptive language. When reading a book, I want to be shown, not told.
Overall, this was a book that had potential, but it was written by the wrong author.
It was also just poorly written in general. There were multiple punctuation and grammar mistakes that were sometimes hard to read past. In addition to these annoying errors, there was virtually no descriptive language. When reading a book, I want to be shown, not told.
Overall, this was a book that had potential, but it was written by the wrong author.
December 31, 2018
3.5
The author shares the value of difference among people and shares the true feelings of Brett, an outcast at his school. You get the perspective and emotions of people who are constantly bullied by popular kids in high school and the hardships of teenage life. I personally like the main character very much because of the many layers he had. Brett was a likable lead, though ironically hated at his school. A majority of the book is impacted by the meeting and aftermath of Brett´s first love/ girlfriend Kylee. After he finds out that she was cheating, the book takes you through his journey of grieving and hopeless behavior. I felt so bad for Brett during a lot of the book and was also connected to what he was going through.
What I would change about the book is the depth that it dives into. The breakup shapes a big part of the novel, but as the reader I did not feel the pain. Although the relationship started, progressed then ended with the readers, I don´t feel as if it was described and connected as much as it could have. The author should have involved heavier emotion between the characters which, intern, will involve the audience. I was looking for a larger impact with the break up. The main character was devastated, but I as the reader did not feel much. Due to my lack of connection, I did not understand the drive of the main character in the after math of the breakup, all of his decisions and his emotions. I was looking to get heartbroken myself, but failed to make the connection.
Over I did enjoy the story and message this book shares. As a teen myself, I completely agreed with the reality of power and ¨jockiarchy¨ in high school. The author did a great job of shedding light on this important, yet hidden topic and also succeeded in sharing solutions and a recovery process of kids who get put down by those around them. I recommend to high school students, and others who want to understand the kids who are different.
The author shares the value of difference among people and shares the true feelings of Brett, an outcast at his school. You get the perspective and emotions of people who are constantly bullied by popular kids in high school and the hardships of teenage life. I personally like the main character very much because of the many layers he had. Brett was a likable lead, though ironically hated at his school. A majority of the book is impacted by the meeting and aftermath of Brett´s first love/ girlfriend Kylee. After he finds out that she was cheating, the book takes you through his journey of grieving and hopeless behavior. I felt so bad for Brett during a lot of the book and was also connected to what he was going through.
What I would change about the book is the depth that it dives into. The breakup shapes a big part of the novel, but as the reader I did not feel the pain. Although the relationship started, progressed then ended with the readers, I don´t feel as if it was described and connected as much as it could have. The author should have involved heavier emotion between the characters which, intern, will involve the audience. I was looking for a larger impact with the break up. The main character was devastated, but I as the reader did not feel much. Due to my lack of connection, I did not understand the drive of the main character in the after math of the breakup, all of his decisions and his emotions. I was looking to get heartbroken myself, but failed to make the connection.
Over I did enjoy the story and message this book shares. As a teen myself, I completely agreed with the reality of power and ¨jockiarchy¨ in high school. The author did a great job of shedding light on this important, yet hidden topic and also succeeded in sharing solutions and a recovery process of kids who get put down by those around them. I recommend to high school students, and others who want to understand the kids who are different.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2018
It was ok
June 26, 2024
No thanks....
July 15, 2024
DNFd. Maybe we shouldn't start our books off with boys rating girls on a scale and being gross. Lol it's a no for me
December 23, 2013
I picked this up when I the spunky pink haired step-daughter of my friend recommended it to me. She is into theater, and obviously goes to a high school that was a suburban nightmare like my own. After spending the last seven years teaching students who represent the complete opposite of what my high school experience was, I felt it would be sort of interesting to take a walk down the memory lane that was those four hellish years in high school.
That's not what I got with this. The representations of "freak kids" in this novel was obnoxious. They were cardboard cut outs who loved theatre and played in bands, and hated their parents, and dyed their hair. Actually, as I finished that sentence, I realized that this is probably exactly how these kids truly act, but being one in high school, it doesn't feel that way. Thus as adult the experience of reading about these kids and their lives just felt...iratating.
I predicted everything that happened in this book, in terms of the relationships and their ebbs and flows. It was easy to see coming. That wouldn't be so bad, if it didn't have the added problem about not really being invested in the characters that these events happened too. It was like they were all too stuck in the white middle american perspective. The ACLU, the fights, the lawsuits? Not satisfying resolutions.
I didn't realize until I brought this book home and was entering it on goodreads that I had actually read this author before, on a random library pickup. The book was Things Change. That book, like this one, lacked something in the end. I think this author strives to be like John Green, but falls short of getting there. For example, this book's moral amounts to "It's not so bad to embrace being normal", which is fine considering it's a lesson this poser had to learn. But it could have done a lot better with something simple like "Be yourself". This author, unlike Green, is in tune with that.
Overall, I would have liked this to be a representation about what adolescence actually felt like, instead of what Jones just remembered it was like.
That's not what I got with this. The representations of "freak kids" in this novel was obnoxious. They were cardboard cut outs who loved theatre and played in bands, and hated their parents, and dyed their hair. Actually, as I finished that sentence, I realized that this is probably exactly how these kids truly act, but being one in high school, it doesn't feel that way. Thus as adult the experience of reading about these kids and their lives just felt...iratating.
I predicted everything that happened in this book, in terms of the relationships and their ebbs and flows. It was easy to see coming. That wouldn't be so bad, if it didn't have the added problem about not really being invested in the characters that these events happened too. It was like they were all too stuck in the white middle american perspective. The ACLU, the fights, the lawsuits? Not satisfying resolutions.
I didn't realize until I brought this book home and was entering it on goodreads that I had actually read this author before, on a random library pickup. The book was Things Change. That book, like this one, lacked something in the end. I think this author strives to be like John Green, but falls short of getting there. For example, this book's moral amounts to "It's not so bad to embrace being normal", which is fine considering it's a lesson this poser had to learn. But it could have done a lot better with something simple like "Be yourself". This author, unlike Green, is in tune with that.
Overall, I would have liked this to be a representation about what adolescence actually felt like, instead of what Jones just remembered it was like.
April 21, 2008
When I read Patrick Jones' book "Nailed" I was impressed. I really enjoyed reading this book! When Jones was writing this book I could tell that he had a very striaght foreward mood, it was as if he was standing up for his beliefs and not backing down and he was expressing this mood through the book he was writing. There was not much symbolism in the book I actually think that Bret's (the main character) Father saying "the nail that sticks out the farthest gets hit the hardest" is the only use of symbolism in the book. Jones' characterization throughout the book i thought was okay, I think that he spent to much time on the main character and not enough time on the other characters.
The plot I thought was fine it was in order and didnt jump around very much which i liked and thought was very easy to understand. This book defianetly fits under the teen-fiction genre.His theme throughout the book is great, all though there are numerous themes, the theme that I would like to embrace on is "The nail that sticks out the farthest gets hit the hardest" I thought that this was a very unique theme, but thought that it was great. The characters in the book were great to. There was Bret (the main character) Bob Hitchings (kid that harasses Bret), Kaylee (Bret's girlfriend), and Sean (Bret's best friend).
This book really was not succesful. It has not won any awards, and has not been given any recognition. I think it is a shame that the book has not been very succesful, but if it gets the chance it's got my vote! I would recommend this book to teen's or people who like fiction books. This book is very different from other books and I think it is different in a good way, so if you like different or unique things than this is probably the book for you.
The plot I thought was fine it was in order and didnt jump around very much which i liked and thought was very easy to understand. This book defianetly fits under the teen-fiction genre.His theme throughout the book is great, all though there are numerous themes, the theme that I would like to embrace on is "The nail that sticks out the farthest gets hit the hardest" I thought that this was a very unique theme, but thought that it was great. The characters in the book were great to. There was Bret (the main character) Bob Hitchings (kid that harasses Bret), Kaylee (Bret's girlfriend), and Sean (Bret's best friend).
This book really was not succesful. It has not won any awards, and has not been given any recognition. I think it is a shame that the book has not been very succesful, but if it gets the chance it's got my vote! I would recommend this book to teen's or people who like fiction books. This book is very different from other books and I think it is different in a good way, so if you like different or unique things than this is probably the book for you.
January 6, 2010
This book has all of the elements that make a great YA novel! I will recommend this book to all of my students. I'm so glad to find another YA writer who will appeal to male as well as female readers.
Set in Flint, Michigan, Nailed is a fast-paced story that will draw you in and take you on the ride of Bret Hendricks's life as a junior in high school. It's realistic, as Bret struggles with his relationships with his father, girlfriend, friends in his band, and the popular bullies at school who seem to have their own cult. Humor is interspersed throughout to keep it lively. Everything falls apart for Bret, but he learns some tough life lessons and how to move beyond the setbacks. He's a likable character readers will root for. To make it even better, the title, Nailed, works as an effective metaphor for the novel.
Be forewarned there is some mature content in the book.
Set in Flint, Michigan, Nailed is a fast-paced story that will draw you in and take you on the ride of Bret Hendricks's life as a junior in high school. It's realistic, as Bret struggles with his relationships with his father, girlfriend, friends in his band, and the popular bullies at school who seem to have their own cult. Humor is interspersed throughout to keep it lively. Everything falls apart for Bret, but he learns some tough life lessons and how to move beyond the setbacks. He's a likable character readers will root for. To make it even better, the title, Nailed, works as an effective metaphor for the novel.
Be forewarned there is some mature content in the book.
October 19, 2015
"Nailed", by Patrick Jones, is a fictional story about a young man named Bret Hendricks who faces issues teens go through such as betrayal, hoping to be accepted, and bullying. Unlike Bret's classmates and his brothers, he is not interested in sports and has a peculiar appearance to many. He constantly struggles with acceptance from his father, teachers, and classmates. Throughout this story, Bret Hendricks experiences emotions such as love and betrayal that may attract teen readers. I enjoyed reading this book because I like reading about realistic issues especially about people my age. I believe that teens especially boys will enjoy "Nailed", by Patrick Jones since it is about a young mans life. Although this is an interesting book, it should only be read by teens and adults above the age of thirteen since it discusses themes for mature readers.
August 29, 2010
I love Patrick's brand of realistic fiction. Realistic, but not so detailed to be gratuitously graphic. This one focuses on the inner workings of a few teenagers and their strained relationships with adults--teachers, parents--and with other teens. The relationships with other teens, as in real life, are often as strained as those with adults. He took a group of situations that could happen anywhere in high school and played it out to a somewhat happy ending while questioning normal, rights in school, and creativity. I fully enjoyed getting to know the characters and found myself cheering for the underdog until the end.
August 4, 2008
Very good; definitely worth reading. Thanks Lyn!
To be honest, there was way too much sex in this book. Other than that, it was great! Bret liked girls a lot though, which really bothered me considering how very scornful I am of romance in general. My favorite part was his speech to the school when running for... Student Council, I think it was. It was the perfect opportunity to basically piss off the school, the jocks at the top of the school hierarchy, and the principal all in one blow. Bret was different and refused to change and was part of a band. That automatically makes it good enough for me.
To be honest, there was way too much sex in this book. Other than that, it was great! Bret liked girls a lot though, which really bothered me considering how very scornful I am of romance in general. My favorite part was his speech to the school when running for... Student Council, I think it was. It was the perfect opportunity to basically piss off the school, the jocks at the top of the school hierarchy, and the principal all in one blow. Bret was different and refused to change and was part of a band. That automatically makes it good enough for me.
September 20, 2009
I think I've fallen in love with Patrick Jones as a writer. He knows the mind of his characters. I loved reading and getting that feeling of so much complete love that Bret was in. I also kinda could relate to his girlfriend. Not in the cheating way but in her whole love metaphor(have to read). I feel like the ability to show every viewpoint and every thought really makes an awesome writer. His word choice kept me hooked because he used unusual words not usually used to describe something that way and it made me want to read more to see what he ment. An all around good book about love, betrayal, and more love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2010
Bret Hendricks enters his junior year of high schhol in love with Kaylee, a girl he thought was way out of his league. Even though she goes to a different school, thoughts of her help him get through the day, as he's constantly bullied by the jocks and put down by his father for dressing and acting against the norm. When Kaylee cheats on him with one of his best friends, Bret decides to get revenge. When he faces expulsion, he learns to stand up for himself in a more positive way, patches his relationship with his father, and revives his friendships. A good read for boys, showing the high school experience from the pov of an outsider.
Currently reading
January 14, 2016I think that Bret is going to screw things up with Kylee and then be to depressed to do anything which will lead to bad things in his band and his friendship with Sean and Alex. Bret won't listen to his dad and their relationship is going to get even worse. Eventually Bret will likely get back on his feet and get back together with his band and they will start doing pretty good, Bret will probably find a different girl and so will Sean but Alex will still be lonely. I think then Bret and his dad will probably get along somewhat better and in the end the band will set off for there first tour. And that is my prediction on what is going to happen in Nailed.
March 14, 2016
I read the book Nailed by Patrick Jones and i thought it was a good book. The characters Bret, Debbie Wylie, and Kylee are all best friends. Everyday when I read this book it reminded me of Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl. Each of the characters in Nailed are just like the characters in the other book. I would recommend this book to most people because it really teaches you a life lesson like, if you have a younger sibling and you don’t want to get in trouble don’t blame it on them take the blame for your wrongdoing. Some of the characters in the book Nailed are very scandalous. But in order to find out more you will have to read the book to see.
June 11, 2010
Reading this book was like reaqding the story of one's life in high school, but only a certain few go through this I think. It's pretty easy to get this book the first time you read it because there aren't a lot of large words or anything like that. it's just somebody telling you their own or somebody else's story.
the main character, bret hendricks, attends Flint southwestern high school. he's the type that doesn't really fit in well, but he does have two bestfriends. A lot happens between all of them through this school year, performances, girls, and lies, but no one can say why.
the main character, bret hendricks, attends Flint southwestern high school. he's the type that doesn't really fit in well, but he does have two bestfriends. A lot happens between all of them through this school year, performances, girls, and lies, but no one can say why.
April 5, 2010
I just discovered Patrick Jones and really like what I've read. This book is about a teenage boy, Bret, who just doesn't fit the norm in his high school or his family. His dad doesn't understand him and he gets harassed by the jock crowd at school. Fortunately he has two good friends and his girlfriend to rely on - except when he finds his girlfriend with one of those friends and the other refuses to take sides. Bret comes to understand that the nail that sticks out the most gets hit the hardest, but that he doesn't have to sit back and take it.
November 11, 2013
I enjoyed reading this book. Bret the main character can easily portray the life of a regular teen. He gets picked on and bullied. He's bullied because he is trying to be himself, or an individual. His dad doesn't understand him because his dad wanted a "jock" type of son. Bret is into theatre. Bret only has his two close friends to depend on and his girlfriend Kaylee. Spoiler: Bret takes it really hard whenever he learns that his girlfriend Kaylee has been cheating on him with one of his friends, and he takes it as a normal teen would.
June 8, 2016
In Flint Southwestern High School, there's jockarchy and someone like Bret Hendricks. He seemed to never fit in with the jocks. But that doesn't seem to matter when he's acting on stage or singing in his band. His relationship with his father doesn't seem to be the best neither. But the girl he loves makes him feel like he's warm inside. Bret finds out who his true friends are and find out the girl he loves isn't the girl he loves. If you want to know more about this book, I suggest you read it.
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April 14, 2008According to his father, Bret does most things the hard way who Bret is sure hates him. Bret is more interested in acting than sports and covers his long green-tinted hair with a fedora. It takes Bret most of his junior year to understand what his dad always told him: the nail that sticks out the farthest gets hammered hardest as he struggles to deal with the jockarchy at school and their constant taunts.
October 16, 2008
First off: Kylee’s got problems. But this isn’t her story, it’s Bret’s, who’s got problems of his own. When you aren’t athletic and your school’s a jockocracy, it’s a problem. Having a crowd of adoring fans listen to your band? Not such a problem. Finally, having a “great” girlfriend (Kylee), who two-times you with your band’s drummer? Problem. Getting back together with her, when she crooks her little finger? More of a personality disorder, really. Yeah, Bret got Nailed.
April 1, 2014
When I first started reading Nailed I thought I was going to love it. I thought a geeky theater kid like myself would relate well to Bret, but as I continued reading, I found myself disappointed.
The characters were flat, and some of the jock-nerd interactions seemed cliche or too over-dramatized. As for the writing, it often sounded rushed and plain, not at all descriptive. The book read more like a long list of complaints by Bret, rather than a story.
The characters were flat, and some of the jock-nerd interactions seemed cliche or too over-dramatized. As for the writing, it often sounded rushed and plain, not at all descriptive. The book read more like a long list of complaints by Bret, rather than a story.
May 17, 2007
This isn't a book that I really expected to like. It seems very different from my normal reads but I really really enjoyed it. Maybe it was identifying with the "I really don't fit in" world of high school. Who knows.
I also got to hear Patrick Jones speak at the 2006 ALAN conference and he was great. Made me like the book even more.
I also got to hear Patrick Jones speak at the 2006 ALAN conference and he was great. Made me like the book even more.
September 21, 2007
I got to do a "Galley Talk" for this before it came out, for PW's website, and then my review was quoted in SLJ (which was all a lot of fun! my boss at the time noticed it without me telling her about it). It's an excellent YA novel, and a rare romance (all the way through to the end) from a guy's POV.
March 4, 2011
I read "Chasing Tail Lights", also by Jones, a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it, so i ran to the library and checked out a few more of his YA novels. This one... eh. It just didn't hit home with me. Brett wasn't very likable. I couldn't stand him... and it's hard to like a book when you despise the protagonist and narrator.
September 30, 2011
I enjoyed reading Nailed, it was definitely entertaining, and dramatic. The way the author wrote was not out of the ordinary whatsoever, though he had a good plot to work with. It is easy to write about the woes of a teenager so it musn't have been too hard to play up. The writing style was not childish, but it was not very mature, perfect for a high school reader.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews