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The Juvie Three
Gecko Fosse drove the getaway car.
Terence Florian ran with the worst gang in Chicago.
Arjay Moran killed someone.
All three boys are serving time in juvenile detention centers until they get a second chance at life in the form of Douglas Healy. A former juvenile delinquent himself, Healy is running an experimental halfway house in New York City where he wants to make a difference in the lives of kids like Gecko, Terence, and Arjay.
Things are going well, until one night Healy is accidentally knocked unconscious while trying to break up a scuffle among the boys. Terrified of the consequences, they drop him off at a hospital and run away. But when Healy awakes, he has no memory of them or the halfway house. Afraid of being sent back to Juvie, the guys hatch a crazy scheme to continue on as if the group leader never left. They will go to school, do their community service, attend therapy, and act like model citizens until Healy's memory returns and he can resume his place with them.
But life keeps getting in the way...like when Gecko finds romance. Or Arjay gets famous. Or Terence starts reverting to his old ways. If the boys are discovered, their second chance will be their last.
Terence Florian ran with the worst gang in Chicago.
Arjay Moran killed someone.
All three boys are serving time in juvenile detention centers until they get a second chance at life in the form of Douglas Healy. A former juvenile delinquent himself, Healy is running an experimental halfway house in New York City where he wants to make a difference in the lives of kids like Gecko, Terence, and Arjay.
Things are going well, until one night Healy is accidentally knocked unconscious while trying to break up a scuffle among the boys. Terrified of the consequences, they drop him off at a hospital and run away. But when Healy awakes, he has no memory of them or the halfway house. Afraid of being sent back to Juvie, the guys hatch a crazy scheme to continue on as if the group leader never left. They will go to school, do their community service, attend therapy, and act like model citizens until Healy's memory returns and he can resume his place with them.
But life keeps getting in the way...like when Gecko finds romance. Or Arjay gets famous. Or Terence starts reverting to his old ways. If the boys are discovered, their second chance will be their last.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
238 people are currently reading
1771 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Korman
253 books4,465 followersGordon Korman is a Canadian author of children's and young adult fiction books. Korman's books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide over a career spanning four decades and have appeared at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 500 reviews
October 4, 2020
This one was really cool! I especially liked the characters.
September 29, 2008
I am fast becoming a fan of Gordon Korman. I’ve enjoyed SCHOOLED and BORN TO ROCK and I’m looking forward to his installment in the 39 CLUES series. When I saw THE JUVIE THREE on the shelf I knew I had to give it a try. I wasn’t disappointed.
As I read the book I almost had the feeling that I was reading a young adult version of the 1989 movie The Dream Team starring Michael Keaton. Douglas Healy, a former juvenile delinquent, gets approval from the state of New York to start a unique halfway house for young criminals. Healy hand picks three young men serving sentences in juvenile detention centers to be the first to try out his program. All three boys are going to get out of the detention centers and live in an apartment with Healy, go to school, do community service, and attend regular group therapy sessions. There are very strict rules in place. Just one broken rule and back to jail they’ll go.
The three boys are:
Gecko - in trouble for being the get away driver during a robbery planned by his older brother.
Arjay - in trouble for accidentally killing a boy during a fight even though it was totally self defense.
Terence - in trouble for planning a robbery job.
The boys have been given a second chance, but Gecko and Arjay seem to realize that better than Terence. One night when Terence is trying to sneak out there is a terrible accident. Mr. Healy falls off of the fire escape and hits his head on the pavement in the alley outside their building. The boys panic. They load Mr. Healy in the car and take him to the hospital and take off. They don’t want to go back to jail so they devise a plan to go about business as usual and hope that Mr. Healy comes home quick and forgives them. So, Gecko, Arjay, and Terence continue to go to school, attend their therapy sessions, and do their community service - hoping no one realizes Mr. Healy isn’t around.
You’ll develop feelings for the boys and hope that everything turns out for the best. The story is touching while at the same time sprinkled with humor. You’ll want to know more about the boys when the story is finished.
As I read the book I almost had the feeling that I was reading a young adult version of the 1989 movie The Dream Team starring Michael Keaton. Douglas Healy, a former juvenile delinquent, gets approval from the state of New York to start a unique halfway house for young criminals. Healy hand picks three young men serving sentences in juvenile detention centers to be the first to try out his program. All three boys are going to get out of the detention centers and live in an apartment with Healy, go to school, do community service, and attend regular group therapy sessions. There are very strict rules in place. Just one broken rule and back to jail they’ll go.
The three boys are:
Gecko - in trouble for being the get away driver during a robbery planned by his older brother.
Arjay - in trouble for accidentally killing a boy during a fight even though it was totally self defense.
Terence - in trouble for planning a robbery job.
The boys have been given a second chance, but Gecko and Arjay seem to realize that better than Terence. One night when Terence is trying to sneak out there is a terrible accident. Mr. Healy falls off of the fire escape and hits his head on the pavement in the alley outside their building. The boys panic. They load Mr. Healy in the car and take him to the hospital and take off. They don’t want to go back to jail so they devise a plan to go about business as usual and hope that Mr. Healy comes home quick and forgives them. So, Gecko, Arjay, and Terence continue to go to school, attend their therapy sessions, and do their community service - hoping no one realizes Mr. Healy isn’t around.
You’ll develop feelings for the boys and hope that everything turns out for the best. The story is touching while at the same time sprinkled with humor. You’ll want to know more about the boys when the story is finished.
April 19, 2018
Nicely done. Well told and entertaining. Engaging and interesting characters. Easy to read prose style and keeps you turning the pages. I can see why this author is so popular among younger readers.
August 20, 2017
3.5 stars. Read 2 years ago; it was pretty interesting and an easy read.
January 27, 2010
Read for school Battle of the Books competition. Not like ANY book I read as a teenager since I was pretty naive to the juvenile justice system and anyone living a lifestyle that may get them involved in the juvenile justice system. Now I'm an 8th grade teacher and I could picture these characters so well because they are close in age to my own students and I've been exposed to lifestyles other than my own "Leave It to Beaver" upbringing.
I recommend this book for boys in middle and high school who have seen some crazy things in their lives and who aren't very interested in reading. This book is high interest and fast-paced. It tells the story of three teenage boys who have each found their way into juvie or jail. Doug Healy, a man with a "troubled" past himself, starts a halfway home and hand-picks them to live there. Shortly into their stay, Doug is injured and suffers from amnesia. The boys decide to continue on, trying to make good choices, and covering the fact they are living unsupervised.
I like the individual character development but towards the end of this book it seems like Korman tries to tie it up too quickly, making the ending unrealistic and unbelievable... though you wish it could be so!
I recommend this book for boys in middle and high school who have seen some crazy things in their lives and who aren't very interested in reading. This book is high interest and fast-paced. It tells the story of three teenage boys who have each found their way into juvie or jail. Doug Healy, a man with a "troubled" past himself, starts a halfway home and hand-picks them to live there. Shortly into their stay, Doug is injured and suffers from amnesia. The boys decide to continue on, trying to make good choices, and covering the fact they are living unsupervised.
I like the individual character development but towards the end of this book it seems like Korman tries to tie it up too quickly, making the ending unrealistic and unbelievable... though you wish it could be so!
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September 19, 2017This fictional book called "The Juvie Three" sets places in New York, around the late 20th - 21st (mid 1990s-2005) Century. It was published on September 4, 2008. The author Gordon Korman explains the life of three boys. Gecko who’s brother taught him to be a getaway driver. But one day Gecko crashed the car ended making him and his brother get detained. Leading up to Gecko being sent to juvie. Terance was in a gang he no longer wished to be in, upset by him trying to leave the gang they turned their backs on him and sent the police after him which eventually lead to him being placed in juvie. Lastly Arjay was a football player but decided one day that wasn’t the sport for him, but they needed him so a plot was developed to jumped him which turned to the worst when one of the football players didn’t wake up. Arjay was wrongfully accused and sent to juvie as well.
The boys are later taken by Douglas Healy . Mr.Healy was once a bad kid who later changed his life around. He brought the boys to his apartment but had hard rules in place to keep the boys under control. For example they couldn’t leave the apartment with him and in addition they couldn’t leave the school zone without him as well. But Terance wants out. He tried to escape but then Mr.Healy gets really hurt. He ends up in a mental hospital , but he has no id because the boys stole it from him. At the end everything turned around for everyone and they are finally reunited with Mr.Healy and they slowly change their lives around.
The theme or main idea of the story is that starting bad in life wont reflect on your future. All of them including Mr.Healy all started off on the bad foot but step by step they began changing their lives in a 360 that showed them all they are cable of much more. Another theme that is shown is that everyone deserves a second chance. Mr.Healy saw a little bit of himself in each boy, pushing him to give them the chance he never recievied as a teen. The events in the book like for example the boys getting out of juvie and living with Mr.Healy show that sometimes to get a second chance you need someone to push you to become a better you.
The book is intresting and kept me turning the pages. I found intresting how they started off horribly bad and through even worse things they seemed to change their lives. Each chapter was very short but had great imagery to set the setting. I can relate to the book because of the bad things that happens to teens no a days. I disliked how Gecko’s brother didn’t set the right example for him. The book was good and I recomend it to friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
I read “The Juvie Three” because it was a nostalgic favorite for my husband. After reading Gordon Korman’s YA about three juveniles given a second chance, I can understand why.
Korman writes with a voice that is almost rhythmic. Each of the main characters are distinct and lovable, even Terrance who annoyed me the most frequently. That being said, a lot of side characters either go nowhere or remain two-dimensional which was dissapointing. I guess it partially makes sense; the story is from the perspective of three teenage boys who may not care about the other dimensions to their lab partner or girlfriend, but as a reader I would’ve liked to see more depth.
The plot itself is a lot of fun and I liked watching the friendship between the three main characters start to emerge. I would say this is a good reader for teens or someone looking for a quick book that is fun and not too complex.
I read “The Juvie Three” because it was a nostalgic favorite for my husband. After reading Gordon Korman’s YA about three juveniles given a second chance, I can understand why.
Korman writes with a voice that is almost rhythmic. Each of the main characters are distinct and lovable, even Terrance who annoyed me the most frequently. That being said, a lot of side characters either go nowhere or remain two-dimensional which was dissapointing. I guess it partially makes sense; the story is from the perspective of three teenage boys who may not care about the other dimensions to their lab partner or girlfriend, but as a reader I would’ve liked to see more depth.
The plot itself is a lot of fun and I liked watching the friendship between the three main characters start to emerge. I would say this is a good reader for teens or someone looking for a quick book that is fun and not too complex.
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October 9, 2020I thought this was a good book because it's about how three kids were placed in for realistic reasons, but for one of them, it was an accident, for the other he was forced to drive a getaway car for his brother and his gang, but the third was caught by the police and placed in jail for a reason. Anyways, they are all given a second chance by someone, and the third even changes over time. There are also lots of intense scenes, but despite all odds, everything works out. I think the message is, "Despite all odds against you, keep trying
February 16, 2025
Well written but extremely dark
I am a big fan of Korman's middle-school comedies. Unfortunately, though his YA social dramas, including this one, are well written, I never seem to be able to enjoy them, because I don't like to be depressed.
I obtained access to this book in audiobook format via Hoopla. The narrator, Christopher Evan Welch, does an excellent job.
I am a big fan of Korman's middle-school comedies. Unfortunately, though his YA social dramas, including this one, are well written, I never seem to be able to enjoy them, because I don't like to be depressed.
I obtained access to this book in audiobook format via Hoopla. The narrator, Christopher Evan Welch, does an excellent job.
March 12, 2017
This is a pleasant and entertaining reading. I love the different POVs from the diverse and unique cast of characters the author created. My only complaint is that I would've loved seeing more development of the three main characters. Their story definitely deserved more than 256 pages. Nevertheless, The Juvie Three is a story about courage, hope, and how second chances are possible. Definitely worth reading!
June 10, 2010
Gecko, Arjay, and Terence, all in trouble with the law, must find a way to keep their halfway house open in order to stay out of juvenile detention. - from library catalog
This is a Gateway nominee for 2010-2011. Should be a high interest book as most of Gordon Korman's books are popular. I did enjoy the story (although it is a little farfetched!). ;)
Starred review from Booklist:
What are the odds a teenage gangbanger, a 15-year-old murderer, and a 14-year-old who crashed a stolen car can keep it together when the saintly social worker who has given them a second chance at redemption ends up comatose in the hospital? Terence, Arjay, and Gecko become unlikely co-conspirators at keeping Doug Healy's absence hidden from teachers, their psychologist, and especially from their nasty case worker. Arjay and Gecko, determined not to do anything that will land them back in jail, become model students and strong-arm Terence into extremely reluctant compliance. It seems to be working until Doug awakens with amnesia, Terence annoys a gang leader, and a high-ranking cop tells Gecko to stop seeing the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Korman keeps lots of balls in the air as he handles each boy's distinct voice and character as well as the increasingly absurd situation with humor and flashes of sadness. His use of present tense is occasionally jarring, but it effectively heightens the tension and the sense that these kids are living minute to minute, where one false step may haunt them forever. Readers will love the feel-good, almost too-good-to-be-true ending, so be prepared for high demand.
This is a Gateway nominee for 2010-2011. Should be a high interest book as most of Gordon Korman's books are popular. I did enjoy the story (although it is a little farfetched!). ;)
Starred review from Booklist:
What are the odds a teenage gangbanger, a 15-year-old murderer, and a 14-year-old who crashed a stolen car can keep it together when the saintly social worker who has given them a second chance at redemption ends up comatose in the hospital? Terence, Arjay, and Gecko become unlikely co-conspirators at keeping Doug Healy's absence hidden from teachers, their psychologist, and especially from their nasty case worker. Arjay and Gecko, determined not to do anything that will land them back in jail, become model students and strong-arm Terence into extremely reluctant compliance. It seems to be working until Doug awakens with amnesia, Terence annoys a gang leader, and a high-ranking cop tells Gecko to stop seeing the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Korman keeps lots of balls in the air as he handles each boy's distinct voice and character as well as the increasingly absurd situation with humor and flashes of sadness. His use of present tense is occasionally jarring, but it effectively heightens the tension and the sense that these kids are living minute to minute, where one false step may haunt them forever. Readers will love the feel-good, almost too-good-to-be-true ending, so be prepared for high demand.
October 11, 2015
It's a matter of trust...
Last month, Gordon Korman came to visit our school. He spoke to the students in grades 3 through 8. It was a great experience. He even had writing sessions, where he taught the kids how to come up with their own stories. I only read one of his books, so I decided to read a few more.
As usual, I didn't read the synopsis of this book before I started. I like going into books without knowing what direction they will take. So, I was surprised when the accident happened and by the direction the book took afterwards.
This is one of those books where, everything that can go wrong does. The three boys face quite a few obstacles during their journey. I enjoyed following their journey and rooting for them to succeed. The boys each have their own unique personality and together they make quite a team.
This is a satisfying book about the opportunity for redemption and how important it is not to give up.
Recommended to:
Readers who enjoy realistic stories about second chances. Good for grades 4-8.
Last month, Gordon Korman came to visit our school. He spoke to the students in grades 3 through 8. It was a great experience. He even had writing sessions, where he taught the kids how to come up with their own stories. I only read one of his books, so I decided to read a few more.
As usual, I didn't read the synopsis of this book before I started. I like going into books without knowing what direction they will take. So, I was surprised when the accident happened and by the direction the book took afterwards.
This is one of those books where, everything that can go wrong does. The three boys face quite a few obstacles during their journey. I enjoyed following their journey and rooting for them to succeed. The boys each have their own unique personality and together they make quite a team.
This is a satisfying book about the opportunity for redemption and how important it is not to give up.
Recommended to:
Readers who enjoy realistic stories about second chances. Good for grades 4-8.
July 19, 2010
Douglas Healy, a former juvenile delinquent himself, decides to make his own small contribution to society by getting a grant to create a half-way house for three troubled teens: Terence, a self proclaimed gangster, Gecko, in jail at 14 for stealing and crashing a car during a robbery and Arjay, the gentle giant who is in prison for accidental manslaughter.
Healy has his hands full trying to keep all three boys on track and out of future trouble as he also tries to convince a social worker he once encountered that the boys are worth saving.
Things go awry when, in an attempt to stop Terence from slipping out one night, Healy is accidentally knocked off the fire escape and ends up in the hospital with a head injury and amnesia.
Can the boys keep up the illusion that everything is status quo until their group leader recovers his memory, and hopefully forgives them?
Another great book by a favorite author. AND this is an intermediate level nominee for YRCA 2011.
Also by Gordon Korman: Schooled - a 2010 YRCA nominee
Healy has his hands full trying to keep all three boys on track and out of future trouble as he also tries to convince a social worker he once encountered that the boys are worth saving.
Things go awry when, in an attempt to stop Terence from slipping out one night, Healy is accidentally knocked off the fire escape and ends up in the hospital with a head injury and amnesia.
Can the boys keep up the illusion that everything is status quo until their group leader recovers his memory, and hopefully forgives them?
Another great book by a favorite author. AND this is an intermediate level nominee for YRCA 2011.
Also by Gordon Korman: Schooled - a 2010 YRCA nominee
October 12, 2016
****
The Juvie Three
Gordon Korman
This book is a book that you don’t know what will happen from time to time. A second chance for everyone, that is what this book is when Gecko, Arjay, and Terence get a second chance. It all seems to start to go away when something happens to the group leader that could put them back in juvie and there trying everything to stay out of juvie in the first place.
This book is a good lession to help teach kids not to do bad things because it will show kids what will or might happen to you if you do bad things and will end up in juvie. It also teaches adults not to commit crimes cause it basically is the same thing but they will go to prison. It is just a good book for many people cause it is like what happens to some people that just get with the wroung type of people. If you start reading this book you will want to read it faster than other books bcause you will want to know what happens to the the juvie three and the group leader.
The Juvie Three
Gordon Korman
This book is a book that you don’t know what will happen from time to time. A second chance for everyone, that is what this book is when Gecko, Arjay, and Terence get a second chance. It all seems to start to go away when something happens to the group leader that could put them back in juvie and there trying everything to stay out of juvie in the first place.
This book is a good lession to help teach kids not to do bad things because it will show kids what will or might happen to you if you do bad things and will end up in juvie. It also teaches adults not to commit crimes cause it basically is the same thing but they will go to prison. It is just a good book for many people cause it is like what happens to some people that just get with the wroung type of people. If you start reading this book you will want to read it faster than other books bcause you will want to know what happens to the the juvie three and the group leader.
September 8, 2008
Another winning title from Gordon Korman that will appeal to readers of Son of the Mob and No More Dead Dogs.
March 2, 2009
I loved it. Korman nailed the dialog between the characters in the book and made it real. Korman masterly balanced serious issues and consequences while still making the book laugh out loud funny in parts.
January 9, 2019
Korman's move away from the lighthearted stories that weave in morality works in this novel. Three young men become connected because of other choices. Given a second chance, now they must determine, individually and collectively, what to do with that chance. Well done.
December 13, 2012
I did not like this book at all it was horrible not much to say about it was so bad. It is about these three kids who are always getting in trouble wasted 3 weeks of my life. worst book I have ever read big disappointment!
March 31, 2019
This book was ridiculous and full of coincidences and cliches.
January 28, 2014
As always, korman delivers a humourous, action-packed read aloud.
September 28, 2018
Over twenty seven days I read The Juvie Three by Gordon Korman. I loved it so much. I loved how it went from first person to third person and as it transitioned you learned more about the characters.
December 9, 2022
This was an excellent read! It is the 21st book I have read from Gordon Korman, most of them over the last few years. Earlier this year, in the summer of 2022, he published his 100th book. Yes you read that correctly, his hundredth book. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Having now read 21 of his books, it is hardly a drop in the buck, but with each one I read I am entertained and often challenged. If I read about a book a week in just under 2 years I will have read and reviewed all of his books. It is an ambitious project but it is a goal. My son often reads these books to me or with me. I picked up this to read on my own but have since recommended it to my son.
My son and I started reading Gordon Korman books together a few years ago, when he was given one as an end of year gift by his teacher. She gave the whole class the same Scholastic edition and wrote a note to each student in the book. Prior to that I had a read a few of his contributions to the 39 Clues series and had enjoyed them. My Son and I have mostly been reading his more recent titles. This is a newer title and one that we had missed. It is one that is just shy of his 80th. The description of this volume is:
“Gecko doesn't want to go back to Juvenile Detention, but trouble somehow always finds him...
Graham "Gecko" Fosse drove the getaway car for a robbery he didn't even know was going down. But that doesn't keep him out of Juvie - the worst place he has ever been. It's a place where its inmates, some convicted teenage killers, could easily write an encyclopedia on how to inflict pain. Thankfully, do-gooder Douglas Healy shows up, giving Gecko a chance to swap the slammer for a halfway house lived in by two other young criminals. There are just three crucial conditions - the three boys must stay in school and out of trouble, all while staying on Social Services' good side. Or else it's back to Juvie for all of them.
But Terence seems bent on getting himself into trouble - the boys catch him sneaking down the fire escape, off to pull another heist. If only their fight hadn't gotten physical and Healy hadn't wound up in the hospital with amnesia. If only Gecko wasn't falling for a girl whose dad's best friend was the Deputy Police chief. And that's just the beginning of their problems.
One thing's for certain: if the boys are found out, their second chance will be their last...”
This is a very interesting story. Three juvenile offenders are given a second chance. They are in a pilot program in New York City. They come from different backgrounds, have different offenses, and very different personalities. They are the wards of Healy and have a very pack schedule, school, counselling, community service … But Things go sideways very quickly. And it is up to the three to make it look like nothing has happened. Can they find a way to work together and keep the cover going, or will the crack and split and take their chances? Will they embrace an all for one, or each for himself.
Having family members and friends who have served in corrections, and seen numerous foster children come through my parents place this story touched close to home. The story moves at a steady pace. There is a love interest, a thug, a band, a devoted teacher. And three kids with everything to lose. This is a deeply moving story. It was a real page turner. Another excellent read from the always entertaining pen of Gordon Korman!
My son and I started reading Gordon Korman books together a few years ago, when he was given one as an end of year gift by his teacher. She gave the whole class the same Scholastic edition and wrote a note to each student in the book. Prior to that I had a read a few of his contributions to the 39 Clues series and had enjoyed them. My Son and I have mostly been reading his more recent titles. This is a newer title and one that we had missed. It is one that is just shy of his 80th. The description of this volume is:
“Gecko doesn't want to go back to Juvenile Detention, but trouble somehow always finds him...
Graham "Gecko" Fosse drove the getaway car for a robbery he didn't even know was going down. But that doesn't keep him out of Juvie - the worst place he has ever been. It's a place where its inmates, some convicted teenage killers, could easily write an encyclopedia on how to inflict pain. Thankfully, do-gooder Douglas Healy shows up, giving Gecko a chance to swap the slammer for a halfway house lived in by two other young criminals. There are just three crucial conditions - the three boys must stay in school and out of trouble, all while staying on Social Services' good side. Or else it's back to Juvie for all of them.
But Terence seems bent on getting himself into trouble - the boys catch him sneaking down the fire escape, off to pull another heist. If only their fight hadn't gotten physical and Healy hadn't wound up in the hospital with amnesia. If only Gecko wasn't falling for a girl whose dad's best friend was the Deputy Police chief. And that's just the beginning of their problems.
One thing's for certain: if the boys are found out, their second chance will be their last...”
This is a very interesting story. Three juvenile offenders are given a second chance. They are in a pilot program in New York City. They come from different backgrounds, have different offenses, and very different personalities. They are the wards of Healy and have a very pack schedule, school, counselling, community service … But Things go sideways very quickly. And it is up to the three to make it look like nothing has happened. Can they find a way to work together and keep the cover going, or will the crack and split and take their chances? Will they embrace an all for one, or each for himself.
Having family members and friends who have served in corrections, and seen numerous foster children come through my parents place this story touched close to home. The story moves at a steady pace. There is a love interest, a thug, a band, a devoted teacher. And three kids with everything to lose. This is a deeply moving story. It was a real page turner. Another excellent read from the always entertaining pen of Gordon Korman!
June 26, 2020
Aaaaaaahhhh! SPLAT. Douglas Healy, social worker and really good guy, has just fallen off of the fire escape, down, down, down to the pavement below.
Holy crud. Now what? Is he dead? No--no--look, I don’t think he’s dead. Let’s get down there quick before someone spots him. OK, he’s not dead. But he’s close. We’ve got to get him to a hospital. Fast. Let’s “borrow” a car from someone. Look, I’ve done it before. That’s why I was IN Juvie, remember? I can do this. We’ll bring it back. They’ll never know. Get him in! Get him in! Careful! Where’s the hospital? Ok, ok, I see it. I’m gonna pull up in front. You get him out and make sure someone sees him so they can get him some help. Good. Now--we’ve gotta get out of here. Let’s go!
Three kids: Gecko, Arjay and Terrence, were in juvenile detention when a social worker, Douglas Healy, picked them to participate in a halfway house experiment. One of the three is a gang member, one’s a murderer, and one was caught with a stolen car, but the social worker thinks they’ll rehabilitate better and faster if they live in a home environment than they will in Juvie. So he chooses the three of them to live in an apartment with him, where they’ll have to go to school, hold down jobs, and go to counseling--it won’t be easy, but at least two of the three are really motivated to do it.
Gecko and Arjay want OUT of juvie, so they’re going to make this work. Terrence’s not willing to put much into it, but he goes along with it. It’s all working out pretty well until (by a set of circumstances I’m not going to tell you) Healy ends up plummeting off of the fire escape. He doesn’t die, but he does end up in the hospital, in his bathrobe, with no identification on him, and he’s got amnesia. He has no idea who he is, and neither does anybody else. Now, the boys probably should tell someone they’re alone in the apartment, but so far, no one knows. If they tell, they’re heading back to Juvie, right away. This is NOT something Gecko and Arjay want to do. Maybe if they play their cards right, and keep Terrence in line, no one will ever find out. Maybe. But it’s a long shot.
(REVIEW: This fast-paced novel is a good moral dilemma book: tell and go back to juvie, or hide what they know and live a lie, but be free. What will they do? The relationship between the characters, too, is interesting as each one has a different perspective on the situation.
Holy crud. Now what? Is he dead? No--no--look, I don’t think he’s dead. Let’s get down there quick before someone spots him. OK, he’s not dead. But he’s close. We’ve got to get him to a hospital. Fast. Let’s “borrow” a car from someone. Look, I’ve done it before. That’s why I was IN Juvie, remember? I can do this. We’ll bring it back. They’ll never know. Get him in! Get him in! Careful! Where’s the hospital? Ok, ok, I see it. I’m gonna pull up in front. You get him out and make sure someone sees him so they can get him some help. Good. Now--we’ve gotta get out of here. Let’s go!
Three kids: Gecko, Arjay and Terrence, were in juvenile detention when a social worker, Douglas Healy, picked them to participate in a halfway house experiment. One of the three is a gang member, one’s a murderer, and one was caught with a stolen car, but the social worker thinks they’ll rehabilitate better and faster if they live in a home environment than they will in Juvie. So he chooses the three of them to live in an apartment with him, where they’ll have to go to school, hold down jobs, and go to counseling--it won’t be easy, but at least two of the three are really motivated to do it.
Gecko and Arjay want OUT of juvie, so they’re going to make this work. Terrence’s not willing to put much into it, but he goes along with it. It’s all working out pretty well until (by a set of circumstances I’m not going to tell you) Healy ends up plummeting off of the fire escape. He doesn’t die, but he does end up in the hospital, in his bathrobe, with no identification on him, and he’s got amnesia. He has no idea who he is, and neither does anybody else. Now, the boys probably should tell someone they’re alone in the apartment, but so far, no one knows. If they tell, they’re heading back to Juvie, right away. This is NOT something Gecko and Arjay want to do. Maybe if they play their cards right, and keep Terrence in line, no one will ever find out. Maybe. But it’s a long shot.
(REVIEW: This fast-paced novel is a good moral dilemma book: tell and go back to juvie, or hide what they know and live a lie, but be free. What will they do? The relationship between the characters, too, is interesting as each one has a different perspective on the situation.
June 26, 2021
When Douglas Healy, a former juvenile delinquent, sets up a program that allows three troubled teens to get out of juvie and into a halfway house, things don’t go quite as he expects. The three boys, Gecko Fosse, Terrance Florian, and Arjay Moran, are given the chance of a lifetime. But one wrong move and they’ll end up back in juvie for good. While Gecko and Arjay aren’t in a rush to get back behind bars anytime soon, Terrance just wants out of this program and back onto the streets.
There was a great little group of characters in this book that I enjoyed. Aside from Mr. Healy and the boys, you had the nosey, elderly neighbor who is suspicious of the boys at first, the girl that Gecko crushes on but her rich dad doesn’t want him around her, the other kids in group therapy, and the mean social worker who’s basically out to shut down this program of Healy’s. My favorites were obviously the boys. Yes, they were criminals, but in Gecko’s case he was just his brother’s lackey, Arjay was only acting in self-defense (not that the court saw it that way), and Terrance is just misguided.
The differences between these boys called for clashing right upon them meeting, and even throughout most of the book they argue. Terrance is mainly the problematic one, since he just wants to find a street crew to run with and get back to the gang life he tried to have before. So at times I found him annoying because he wasn’t appreciative of this amazing opportunity, but he does end up having common sense hit him dead in the face eventually. Gecko and Arjay on the other hand, were total sweethearts that honestly just had bad luck throw them into juvie (though it was Gecko’s choice to follow along his brother’s schemes).
Overall this is a very easy read that keeps you interested. I would say this is a book that could be read in a day, easily, and the only reason I didn’t finish it the night I started it was because my kitten kept attacking me while I was reading. This was my second book that I’ve read by Gordon Korman and he is becoming one of my favorite middle-grade authors. I highly recommend this book, especially if you’ve read some of his books before.
Rating: 4.75 stars
There was a great little group of characters in this book that I enjoyed. Aside from Mr. Healy and the boys, you had the nosey, elderly neighbor who is suspicious of the boys at first, the girl that Gecko crushes on but her rich dad doesn’t want him around her, the other kids in group therapy, and the mean social worker who’s basically out to shut down this program of Healy’s. My favorites were obviously the boys. Yes, they were criminals, but in Gecko’s case he was just his brother’s lackey, Arjay was only acting in self-defense (not that the court saw it that way), and Terrance is just misguided.
The differences between these boys called for clashing right upon them meeting, and even throughout most of the book they argue. Terrance is mainly the problematic one, since he just wants to find a street crew to run with and get back to the gang life he tried to have before. So at times I found him annoying because he wasn’t appreciative of this amazing opportunity, but he does end up having common sense hit him dead in the face eventually. Gecko and Arjay on the other hand, were total sweethearts that honestly just had bad luck throw them into juvie (though it was Gecko’s choice to follow along his brother’s schemes).
Overall this is a very easy read that keeps you interested. I would say this is a book that could be read in a day, easily, and the only reason I didn’t finish it the night I started it was because my kitten kept attacking me while I was reading. This was my second book that I’ve read by Gordon Korman and he is becoming one of my favorite middle-grade authors. I highly recommend this book, especially if you’ve read some of his books before.
Rating: 4.75 stars
October 9, 2018
THE JUVIE THREE written by Gordon Korman takes place in modern day New York City. Gecko Fosse has been put into a juvenile detention center for driving a getaway car. Terence Florian was put into a juvenile detention center for being a part of the worst gang in Chicago. The same thing goes for Arjay Moran except for that he killed someone.
The three boys have been selected to be apart of a new program where they get to live with Healy, a man who watches over them and try’s to give them a normal life. Arjay and Gecko take pride in what chance they were given and be good but Terence is still trying to act bad. A fight come amongst the boys and Healy try’s to break it up and ends up getting knocked unconscious. The boys run away scared that if they get caught then they’ll be sent back to juvie.
The way the book ended could have been better. They went through a lot of stuff through the book and the ending was just kind of boring. My favorite quote from the book is when Gecko said “Come on, mister, don’t be a hero!” I like this quote because it’s telling someone not to try and be a hero. I think in our world people make the wrong choices in life just trying to be the hero for someone else.
I thought the book could’ve been better. It was well written and had a good plot it just didn’t have a good ending. The ending was to plain. Similar books would be any books that have adventure and suspense. I recommend this book to anyone who is into adventure or can take the suspense of this book.
The three boys have been selected to be apart of a new program where they get to live with Healy, a man who watches over them and try’s to give them a normal life. Arjay and Gecko take pride in what chance they were given and be good but Terence is still trying to act bad. A fight come amongst the boys and Healy try’s to break it up and ends up getting knocked unconscious. The boys run away scared that if they get caught then they’ll be sent back to juvie.
The way the book ended could have been better. They went through a lot of stuff through the book and the ending was just kind of boring. My favorite quote from the book is when Gecko said “Come on, mister, don’t be a hero!” I like this quote because it’s telling someone not to try and be a hero. I think in our world people make the wrong choices in life just trying to be the hero for someone else.
I thought the book could’ve been better. It was well written and had a good plot it just didn’t have a good ending. The ending was to plain. Similar books would be any books that have adventure and suspense. I recommend this book to anyone who is into adventure or can take the suspense of this book.
May 9, 2024
Very close to being 4 stars, but since there's other books in the juvenile delinquent theme that I like more, such as Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart and Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen, I'm sticking with 3. Gordon Korman is a funny guy. His serious books don't do as well in my library. Still. Hard to go wrong with Korman.
Gecko, Arjay, and Terence are serving time. Gecko drove the getaway car for his brother's burglary. Arjay punched a guy who later died of a head injury. Terence committed a slew of crimes with a Chicago gang. Enter Doug Healy, a former juvenile delinquent himself who's convinced he can reform these guys. They're enrolled in school, attend group therapy, perform community service, and live in a halfway house with Healy. Gecko and Arjay are toeing the line, but Terence is too entrenched in the gang mentality. He makes a bad decision and the best gig they could have hoped for is now in jeopardy. The three guys must straighten up and fly right and hope they can fool the therapist, the social worker, the school, and the neighbor.
Throw in a little amnesia, a little romance, a rock band and you've got a decent story most will enjoy.
Gecko, Arjay, and Terence are serving time. Gecko drove the getaway car for his brother's burglary. Arjay punched a guy who later died of a head injury. Terence committed a slew of crimes with a Chicago gang. Enter Doug Healy, a former juvenile delinquent himself who's convinced he can reform these guys. They're enrolled in school, attend group therapy, perform community service, and live in a halfway house with Healy. Gecko and Arjay are toeing the line, but Terence is too entrenched in the gang mentality. He makes a bad decision and the best gig they could have hoped for is now in jeopardy. The three guys must straighten up and fly right and hope they can fool the therapist, the social worker, the school, and the neighbor.
Throw in a little amnesia, a little romance, a rock band and you've got a decent story most will enjoy.
March 1, 2018
This book was excellent if I had the time to read it again. It was great book learning how the three boys were different. I was actually imaging i was there like in movie there was a part of the book where there was action and you just felt like what going to happen next. Then i like how each Boy had his own problem which they were split and made the book fun to read you learned about how they go throughout their day. They meet people who influenced on what they want to do with their life if they leave freely but you would only know if you read the book . There is lots of choices the boys could choose from but i like one choice which was interesting. I like how many people perspective changed in this book and the emotion some of the character took and I felt. If i recommend this book i would recommend this book a young guy dealing with problem so he could see the perspective of how they dealt with their problem because there are many ways of how to deal with a problem but there are few that succeed. The best part of the book is at the end but make sure you read it all so you could understand. If i gave the highlights of which part of the book were the best I would tell you immediately because the book entertain me so much. Whoever wants to read this book hope you enjoy as much as I did.
December 13, 2017
The Juvie Three, by Gordon Korman, is a story about Gecko, Arjay, and Terrence, three teenagers who had been sent to juvie, or for Arjay's case prison. Gecko drove the car of fleeing felons, Terrence got into trouble with a gang in Chicago, and Arjay killed someone. Yet after everything they did, Mr. Healy, an owner of a halfway house, is going to give them a second chance.
I liked how the author made the main characters seem like people not worth to root for, to misunderstood protagonists that just needed another chance. Gordon Korman made it so it was very clear that the trio (or at least most of them) didn't do what they did without being manipulated or provoked. This allows us to imagine us in their shoes that deep down they really weren't bad kids. This is important to the story because if you have the main protagonists as convicted criminals with no explanation to what they have done and why they did it, we only assume they aren't the greatest people.
I think this is worth the time to anybody who likes stories with action but not so much action that it overthrows the actual story itself and development of the story. I especially recommend this book to people who really like to understand the main characters through backstory.
I liked how the author made the main characters seem like people not worth to root for, to misunderstood protagonists that just needed another chance. Gordon Korman made it so it was very clear that the trio (or at least most of them) didn't do what they did without being manipulated or provoked. This allows us to imagine us in their shoes that deep down they really weren't bad kids. This is important to the story because if you have the main protagonists as convicted criminals with no explanation to what they have done and why they did it, we only assume they aren't the greatest people.
I think this is worth the time to anybody who likes stories with action but not so much action that it overthrows the actual story itself and development of the story. I especially recommend this book to people who really like to understand the main characters through backstory.
March 20, 2019
The book The Juvie 3 was about these three boys who were given an opportunity to leave Juvie and live in an apartment with a “leader”. When something goes terribly wrong the 3 boys have to work together to make everything seem normal so that they don't get caught and sent back to Juvie. This novel was very interesting, the characters had been in similar situations yet their qualities are so different that it made the story work well. The story seemed to hint at connections throughout the characters in the story that made the story intriguing because you get to make assumptions about what was going to happen next, or what the characters meant by what they were saying. The book consistently had cliffhangers at the end of each chapter makes you want to read the next chapter to see what was going to happen next which kept the story interesting and fun to read. This book seemed to contain almost every genre of reading at some point in the book so I would recommend this book to anyone who loves action with a little bit of mystery and even a little bit of love. This book would also be great for anyone who loves funny books as well because the characters in this book were funny as well. In the end, I absolutely enjoyed the book The Juvie 3.
September 2, 2018
Gecko, Terence, and Arjay have all found themselves in different juvenile detention centers for one reason or another. They are surviving in this environment, dealing with the cards that have been dealt, until Doug Healy comes along and offers them an alternative - a halfway house in New York City, run by him, an ex-juvenile delinquent himself. The boys are leery about the idea, but anything is better than being locked up. The three have a hard time getting along, until a powerful event shakes their new world and threatens to send them all back. This event ends up bringing them together and is the catalyst for the entire book.
A well written, quick read. The characters' backgrounds are easy to understand and you are immediately on their side, pulling for them to stay together and out of juvie. This will be a great addition to my classroom library for those readers who like a little adventure and edge to their books.
A well written, quick read. The characters' backgrounds are easy to understand and you are immediately on their side, pulling for them to stay together and out of juvie. This will be a great addition to my classroom library for those readers who like a little adventure and edge to their books.
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