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Blank Confession
Shayne Blank is the new kid in town--but that doesn't stop him from getting into a lot of trouble very quickly. The other kids don't understand him. He's not afraid of anything. He seems too smart. And his background doesn't add up. But when he walks into the police department to confess to a murder, it quickly becomes apparent that nothing is as it seems. There's more to Shayne--and his story--than meets the eye. As the details begin to fill in, the only thing that becomes clear is that nothing about Shayne's story is clear at all.
Blank Confession is a compelling mystery that will keep readers turning pages, from National Book Award-winning author Pete Hautman.
170 pages, Hardcover
First published November 16, 2010
62 people are currently reading
2144 people want to read
About the author
Pete Hautman
60 books357 followersPeter Murray Hautman is an American author best known for his novels for young adults. One of them, Godless, won the 2004 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. The National Book Foundation summary is, "A teenage boy decides to invent a new religion with a new god."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 329 reviews
August 29, 2017
"You know how sometimes you meet somebody, and afterwards you just can't go back to being what you were?"
"Because it's like they're watching you," I said.
"Exactly. Or because whatever you do, you're thinking, If so-and-so could see me now, what would he think?"
It's not every day that a high school boy walks into a police station and confesses to murder. Even though his wife will be mad that he missed dinner, the detective in charge decides he'd better stay and take the kid's statement. Some 140+ pages later, we find out the name of the victim, whodunnit, and why . . . and the detective gets to go home to cold pot roast, and a frowning Mrs.
It's a compelling story, yet it seemed vaguely familiar.
Perhaps it's no coincidence that the main character is named Shayne Blank - a mysterious drifter who wafts into town, takes a bite outta crime, then
"Because it's like they're watching you," I said.
"Exactly. Or because whatever you do, you're thinking, If so-and-so could see me now, what would he think?"
It's not every day that a high school boy walks into a police station and confesses to murder. Even though his wife will be mad that he missed dinner, the detective in charge decides he'd better stay and take the kid's statement. Some 140+ pages later, we find out the name of the victim, whodunnit, and why . . . and the detective gets to go home to cold pot roast, and a frowning Mrs.
It's a compelling story, yet it seemed vaguely familiar.
Perhaps it's no coincidence that the main character is named Shayne Blank - a mysterious drifter who wafts into town, takes a bite outta crime, then
August 29, 2023
Blank Confession by Pete Hautman is a solid story told by a skilled storyteller. That might sound like a weak or oversimplified compliment, but let me explain my deep admiration for storytellers.
Have you ever been in the presence of a gifted orator or storyteller? Someone with a pitch perfect tone, attitude, build up, posture, and language coupled with the right amount of sighs, smiles, eye contact, and hand gestures to pull you right into the story. To really make you a part of the tale or world. This book felt like that to me. I was sitting in that interview room with Officer Rawls and Shayne waiting for the next detail, listening for the fizz and pop of the Mountain Dew and clang of that damn handcuff ring, and looking for clues to the puzzle on Shayne’s face! Pete Hautman yanked me right in.
Right from the jump, I was hooked by the classic trouble-is my-middle-name new kid in town set up. After Shayne Blank befriends Mikey and his bag of problems with the school’s drug dealing bully, the trouble begins to spin and escalate out of control in a hurry. We are first introduced to Shayne at the police station, filling in the details of a confession, so the story is revealed in a series of flashbacks for readers to piece together. Mr. Hautman does a beautiful job of weaving the voices and details together bit by bit providing just enough information to build the tension while keeping readers guessing. Shayne will keep you entertained and busy until the end!
Even though Shayne plays the big, flashy role, Mikey Martin was the one who held the tale together and really made me smile. I am always a fan of the little guy with a big mouth--which Mikey often used to get himself into trouble and stand up for himself. He wore crazy, jazzy, colorful suits, played checkers with his Pepe, wielded sarcasm like a pro, and stole the show with his honesty and heart. Btw…I don’t care what anyone says—sarcasm is not a mask. It’s a skill! Skill, people! ;) Simply put—Mikey was my hero!
There is a lot going on in this “Usual Suspects” vibed book, but it all comes together to form this intricate web full of heart, mystery, sadness, and danger.
A confession can change everything.
Sidebar: I am a listener, so talkers are my favorite people in this world. Storytellers can often fill a day with such energy and passion! If you are lucky enough to have storytellers in your life, hold on to them! They make life so much more interesting. :D
July 11, 2013
I felt sort of like an idiot when it hit me that this book actually is the high-school retelling of Shane, the western by George Stevens. I mean Shayne Blank is the name of the mysterious stranger who rides into school on his BMW motorcycle. He's not particularly special in any way, but has a distinct air of danger about him. He gets mixed up with some really bad characters while trying to help some kid who is out of his depth, and he becomes tangentially involved with everyone in the kid's family. Things escalate through a series of cool showdowns, until there is a climax, and he rides off into the sunset.
In cases like this, where the lifting is so obvious, I don't know whether to be put off by what the author has done, or charmed. In this case, I'm going to opt for a little of both. If you accept the implausibility of an itinerant vigilante student, the basic of idea of this western translates remarkably well into the high school milieu. The tale is still slight, but it works, and it's engaging. But I was also a little put off the way Hautman tried to hide what he was doing. The book opens with another cliche: flashbacks as a story is being told in a police interrogation. In this way, Hautman tries to hide the Western cliches behind some Hard Boiled Detective/Film Noir cliches.
Also, this being the third book I've read of his, I'm starting to lose patience with some recurrences: the alcoholic father, the dysfunctional family, and the use of an overly involved narrative structure, usually a very clever structure, to patch over some weaknesses in the narrative itself. I'm more and more thinking that Hautman is extremely clever, but lacks some heart.
In cases like this, where the lifting is so obvious, I don't know whether to be put off by what the author has done, or charmed. In this case, I'm going to opt for a little of both. If you accept the implausibility of an itinerant vigilante student, the basic of idea of this western translates remarkably well into the high school milieu. The tale is still slight, but it works, and it's engaging. But I was also a little put off the way Hautman tried to hide what he was doing. The book opens with another cliche: flashbacks as a story is being told in a police interrogation. In this way, Hautman tries to hide the Western cliches behind some Hard Boiled Detective/Film Noir cliches.
Also, this being the third book I've read of his, I'm starting to lose patience with some recurrences: the alcoholic father, the dysfunctional family, and the use of an overly involved narrative structure, usually a very clever structure, to patch over some weaknesses in the narrative itself. I'm more and more thinking that Hautman is extremely clever, but lacks some heart.
June 5, 2019
Wow, I had to power through this book to find out what happened!
Good suspense. The story involves a teenager who comes to the police with quite a story - he may have killed someone. Who? Besides following the narrative of Shayne Blank in the interview room at the station, we also follow the narrative of Mike Martin, another student at school. A lot happens to this group of teenagers in this short book, much of it involving the drug dealer, Jon.
Fast paced and interesting.
Good suspense. The story involves a teenager who comes to the police with quite a story - he may have killed someone. Who? Besides following the narrative of Shayne Blank in the interview room at the station, we also follow the narrative of Mike Martin, another student at school. A lot happens to this group of teenagers in this short book, much of it involving the drug dealer, Jon.
Fast paced and interesting.
December 30, 2015
Why I Read this Book: I didn’t know about Blank Confession until I saw it at the library one day. I was pursuing the new stock in the Teen section when I stumbled across this book. The first thing that caught my attention was the title. Well, that and the length of this book – it’s short. So I picked it up off the shelf and read the blurb. I thought to myself that’s an interesting premise. Then I noticed who the author is – it’s the same guy who wrote How to Steal A Car. I thought that book was a quirky, yet fun read so I took Blank Confession home with me.
What I Liked: Blank Confession is a different kind of book. Even though it’s Shayne’s confession, most of the story is told from Mikey’s POV. The reader gets the most detail on Mikey, his life and his background. The reader does get part of the story from Detective Rawls POV as he is interviewing Shayne, as well as a bit from Shayne’s POV during his confession, but Mikey is the main character in this book. Oh, but don’t worry about the multiple POVs; each chapter is labeled with who’s POV you’re getting so it doesn’t get jumbled. The outcome with the different POVs interconnecting with one another is seamless.
Blank Confession is a slightly complex story, in that you think all the evidence will be there right in front of you. Instead, there’s more going on than you think and it’s through Shayne, Mikey and Detective Rawls’ insight that sheds light to the true happenings at hand. It goes a lot deeper than what you see on the surface.
The author possesses a unique way of grabbing the reader right from the start with what appears to be a simple premise. And don’t let the size of this book fool you. It may be on the short side, but it reads like a 250+ paged novel. No shortcomings here. Everything was thought out and executed well.
What I Didn’t Like: At first, I was a bit bothered that most of the story was told from Mikey’s POV. I mean, it’s Shayne’s story to tell; it’s his confession. But I can now see why the author did this.
Overall Impression: There is more to the story than what first appears in Blank Confession. While the main focal point may be the actual confession and the murder in question, it goes deeper than that. Blank Confession took me by surprise. Another quick, quirky read by this author. I don’t know how this book has stayed under the radar but this fascinating concept and thought-provoking read is one you surely won’t want to miss.
What I Liked: Blank Confession is a different kind of book. Even though it’s Shayne’s confession, most of the story is told from Mikey’s POV. The reader gets the most detail on Mikey, his life and his background. The reader does get part of the story from Detective Rawls POV as he is interviewing Shayne, as well as a bit from Shayne’s POV during his confession, but Mikey is the main character in this book. Oh, but don’t worry about the multiple POVs; each chapter is labeled with who’s POV you’re getting so it doesn’t get jumbled. The outcome with the different POVs interconnecting with one another is seamless.
Blank Confession is a slightly complex story, in that you think all the evidence will be there right in front of you. Instead, there’s more going on than you think and it’s through Shayne, Mikey and Detective Rawls’ insight that sheds light to the true happenings at hand. It goes a lot deeper than what you see on the surface.
The author possesses a unique way of grabbing the reader right from the start with what appears to be a simple premise. And don’t let the size of this book fool you. It may be on the short side, but it reads like a 250+ paged novel. No shortcomings here. Everything was thought out and executed well.
What I Didn’t Like: At first, I was a bit bothered that most of the story was told from Mikey’s POV. I mean, it’s Shayne’s story to tell; it’s his confession. But I can now see why the author did this.
Overall Impression: There is more to the story than what first appears in Blank Confession. While the main focal point may be the actual confession and the murder in question, it goes deeper than that. Blank Confession took me by surprise. Another quick, quirky read by this author. I don’t know how this book has stayed under the radar but this fascinating concept and thought-provoking read is one you surely won’t want to miss.
January 15, 2012
I had no intention of reading this today. But I picked it up at the library, and started it while I was waiting for my wife to get her books. When we got home, I laid down in bed, thinking I'd read a bit and then take a well-earned nap. That plan was scotched by distilled adrenaline rush that is Blank Confession
The protagonist, Shayne, is the answer to this question: What if Jack Reacher were a high school kid? Yes, he's that awesome.
I need to create a bookshelf of Best YA Thrillers--Blank Confession and BZRK would both get places of honor.
The protagonist, Shayne, is the answer to this question: What if Jack Reacher were a high school kid? Yes, he's that awesome.
I need to create a bookshelf of Best YA Thrillers--Blank Confession and BZRK would both get places of honor.
March 3, 2025
This was suspenseful, touching, intriguing, and somewhere in between the feeling of what was meant to be and what could have been.
Regardless of the ending, it felt as though Shayne was a mystical being like a guardian angel who arrived just to save the rest of the characters. At the same time it felt like he was a tragic figure, the kind you couldn’t save who was doomed to forever be alone in their turmoil. And there was a bittersweet feeling because he could have stayed, he could have had a lovely life, but he was his own worst enemy and that was the biggest tragedy of all.
Regardless of the ending, it felt as though Shayne was a mystical being like a guardian angel who arrived just to save the rest of the characters. At the same time it felt like he was a tragic figure, the kind you couldn’t save who was doomed to forever be alone in their turmoil. And there was a bittersweet feeling because he could have stayed, he could have had a lovely life, but he was his own worst enemy and that was the biggest tragedy of all.
Read
January 1, 2017Very quick read. This would probably be a good one for reluctant teen boys. Drug sales are part of the storyline, but not glorified.
May 16, 2016
Personal Response:
I really enjoyed this book. This is the second book I have read that was written by Pete Hautman and I really enjoy his work.
Plot Summary:
The book starts out by introducing you to the main character Mikey. He is a short, scrawny kid with an abusive dad. That say there was a new kid at the school. He dressed in all black and rode a motorcycle, his name was Shayne Blank. He asked Mikey where the school parking lot was and after he showed him they went to first hour together. After first hour the school drug dealer, Jon Brande, came up to Mikey and told him to put this paper bag into his locker. Mikey did in fear of being beaten up. Jon is dating Mikey’s sister, Marie. Later that day there was a school wide locker check. As the police were coming in Mikey quickly went to his locker, grabbed the bag and put it in the garbage can. After the search was over Mikey went back to the garbage can to recover the bag for Jon, but the garbage was emptied and the bag was gone. Jon punched Mikey in the face and told him that he now owed him five hundred dollars. Shane and Mikey talked the next day at lunch and Shayne went over to Jon and this friends to reason with him, but Jon decided to punch him in the gut instead. So after school that day when Shayne went out to the student parking lot to get his bike he found Jon with Trey, Marie, Kyle, circled around his bike. Trey kicked his side mirror of and tipped his bike over. Shanye calmly walked over and picked it up, but Trey wouldn’t let him leave. Trey tried to punch Shayne, but he ducked and made him miss. Trey, more aggravated by Shayne making him look foolish, ran at Shayne to tackle him. Shayne squatted down grabbed Trey’s ankles and flipped him over his back. Trey made the whole parking lot shake as he hit the ground. Marie was impressed. Shayne went back to his bike and drove off. Later the next night, Shayne went over to Mikey’s house after school. Him and Mikey walked around the house to the back yard to find Marie and Jon. Jon threatened to fight Shayne if he didn’t leave. Shayne gave back a witty remark and Marie gave out a small giggle. Jon turned around and slapped Marie so hard she flipped off her chair and fell on the pavement. Shayne ran at Jon and Jon pulled out a taser and tased Shayne in the chest. Mikey went over to Marie and brought her inside. Jon got on his bike and rode off before Shayne could get up. When he did he just went inside to see if Marie was okay. She was fine, she was used to it. That night Shayne stayed for dinner with Mikey’s family. He got to meet Mikey’s Ex-alcoholic dad. His dad used to drink and hit his family, but after being in jail he got better and stopped drinking. A few days later Shayne was cornered by Jon, Kyle, and Trey and they beat him so bad he had to go to the hospital. Shayne wasn’t at school for a few days, but the day he got back he went to Mikey’s house after school and hung out with him doing homework. Then they heard a Motorcycle pull up and they thought it was Jon taking Marie home, but it was Trey by himself. He wanted to tell Shayne and Mikey that Marie was at a roof party tonight and that everyone was using Meth and that Jon started hitting Marie pretty bad and she was bleeding all over the floor so he came to tell Mikey. Shayne was on his bike over to the party before Trey could finish talking. Trey and Mikey followed him. When Shayne got there he kicked down the door and found the ladder to the roof. When he got up there he saw Marie passed out on a couch with blood all over her face. He thought she was dead for a second before he saw her mumble and flip over in the couch. Jon was sitting next to her and when he saw Shayne he got out his taser. Trey and Mikey came up the ladder. John got up and shot the taser at Shayne, but he turned and the hooks missed him and went right into Trey’s chest. Trey fell down the ladder. Jon and Shayne circled each other for a while until Kyle, who was also at the party, had a chance to get to Shayne. He came up behind him and stabbed him in the calf. Shaye kicked Kyle in the head and knocked him out. While that was happening Jon ran over to Shayne and tased him in the back. Mickey ran over and punched Jon, but Jon was much stronger and hit him back in the temple. Mikey fell to the ground and saw Shayne get up to see Marie. Jon got up and pushed him near the edge of the roof which had a two foot barrier wall. He tased him again and Shayne got up and hit him in the gut twice which made him fall back and sit on the wall. When he fell into the wall he had to grab the sides with his hands which made him drop the taser. Mikey picked it up and tased Jon in the chest. Jon fell back off the roof and fell four stories into a drained swimming pool. As a circle of blood started to form around his spread out body Shayne got up and took Mikey away from the ledge. He told Mikey that he was never here and that he couldn’t tell anyone that he was there. Shayne went over to Marie picked her up and walked down the ladder. He found Trey and told Trey to also not tell anyone that he or Mikey was here. He said to say that only Shayne and Marie were there. Shayne took Marie and Trey to the hospital and then turned himself into the police for killing Jon. He did that to save Mikey. He did not get charged with anything and the next day he left town and no one knew where he went. The policeman who Shayne talked to went over to Mikey’s house and told him who Shayne really was. His father was special forces in Iraq and his mother died in childbirth. When his father got back he taught self defense classed as a job which is how Shayne knew how to fight. His father ended up going to a mental hospital because of the war. Shayne had to go live with his aunt in Utah. Then one day at school a kid there was being a bully and he broke his kneecap and ran away. He has been jumping from town to town since then. He goes to a new school every couple months and beats up a kid and leaves the next day. Once it was from a group of kids threatening to burn down a synagogue. Another time it was from a boy who date-raped a girl at the school. So after Jon he just left and went to another town.
Recommendations:
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys books with action or about drugs. Also anyone who has read other books by Pete Hautman and has enjoyed them.
I really enjoyed this book. This is the second book I have read that was written by Pete Hautman and I really enjoy his work.
Plot Summary:
The book starts out by introducing you to the main character Mikey. He is a short, scrawny kid with an abusive dad. That say there was a new kid at the school. He dressed in all black and rode a motorcycle, his name was Shayne Blank. He asked Mikey where the school parking lot was and after he showed him they went to first hour together. After first hour the school drug dealer, Jon Brande, came up to Mikey and told him to put this paper bag into his locker. Mikey did in fear of being beaten up. Jon is dating Mikey’s sister, Marie. Later that day there was a school wide locker check. As the police were coming in Mikey quickly went to his locker, grabbed the bag and put it in the garbage can. After the search was over Mikey went back to the garbage can to recover the bag for Jon, but the garbage was emptied and the bag was gone. Jon punched Mikey in the face and told him that he now owed him five hundred dollars. Shane and Mikey talked the next day at lunch and Shayne went over to Jon and this friends to reason with him, but Jon decided to punch him in the gut instead. So after school that day when Shayne went out to the student parking lot to get his bike he found Jon with Trey, Marie, Kyle, circled around his bike. Trey kicked his side mirror of and tipped his bike over. Shanye calmly walked over and picked it up, but Trey wouldn’t let him leave. Trey tried to punch Shayne, but he ducked and made him miss. Trey, more aggravated by Shayne making him look foolish, ran at Shayne to tackle him. Shayne squatted down grabbed Trey’s ankles and flipped him over his back. Trey made the whole parking lot shake as he hit the ground. Marie was impressed. Shayne went back to his bike and drove off. Later the next night, Shayne went over to Mikey’s house after school. Him and Mikey walked around the house to the back yard to find Marie and Jon. Jon threatened to fight Shayne if he didn’t leave. Shayne gave back a witty remark and Marie gave out a small giggle. Jon turned around and slapped Marie so hard she flipped off her chair and fell on the pavement. Shayne ran at Jon and Jon pulled out a taser and tased Shayne in the chest. Mikey went over to Marie and brought her inside. Jon got on his bike and rode off before Shayne could get up. When he did he just went inside to see if Marie was okay. She was fine, she was used to it. That night Shayne stayed for dinner with Mikey’s family. He got to meet Mikey’s Ex-alcoholic dad. His dad used to drink and hit his family, but after being in jail he got better and stopped drinking. A few days later Shayne was cornered by Jon, Kyle, and Trey and they beat him so bad he had to go to the hospital. Shayne wasn’t at school for a few days, but the day he got back he went to Mikey’s house after school and hung out with him doing homework. Then they heard a Motorcycle pull up and they thought it was Jon taking Marie home, but it was Trey by himself. He wanted to tell Shayne and Mikey that Marie was at a roof party tonight and that everyone was using Meth and that Jon started hitting Marie pretty bad and she was bleeding all over the floor so he came to tell Mikey. Shayne was on his bike over to the party before Trey could finish talking. Trey and Mikey followed him. When Shayne got there he kicked down the door and found the ladder to the roof. When he got up there he saw Marie passed out on a couch with blood all over her face. He thought she was dead for a second before he saw her mumble and flip over in the couch. Jon was sitting next to her and when he saw Shayne he got out his taser. Trey and Mikey came up the ladder. John got up and shot the taser at Shayne, but he turned and the hooks missed him and went right into Trey’s chest. Trey fell down the ladder. Jon and Shayne circled each other for a while until Kyle, who was also at the party, had a chance to get to Shayne. He came up behind him and stabbed him in the calf. Shaye kicked Kyle in the head and knocked him out. While that was happening Jon ran over to Shayne and tased him in the back. Mickey ran over and punched Jon, but Jon was much stronger and hit him back in the temple. Mikey fell to the ground and saw Shayne get up to see Marie. Jon got up and pushed him near the edge of the roof which had a two foot barrier wall. He tased him again and Shayne got up and hit him in the gut twice which made him fall back and sit on the wall. When he fell into the wall he had to grab the sides with his hands which made him drop the taser. Mikey picked it up and tased Jon in the chest. Jon fell back off the roof and fell four stories into a drained swimming pool. As a circle of blood started to form around his spread out body Shayne got up and took Mikey away from the ledge. He told Mikey that he was never here and that he couldn’t tell anyone that he was there. Shayne went over to Marie picked her up and walked down the ladder. He found Trey and told Trey to also not tell anyone that he or Mikey was here. He said to say that only Shayne and Marie were there. Shayne took Marie and Trey to the hospital and then turned himself into the police for killing Jon. He did that to save Mikey. He did not get charged with anything and the next day he left town and no one knew where he went. The policeman who Shayne talked to went over to Mikey’s house and told him who Shayne really was. His father was special forces in Iraq and his mother died in childbirth. When his father got back he taught self defense classed as a job which is how Shayne knew how to fight. His father ended up going to a mental hospital because of the war. Shayne had to go live with his aunt in Utah. Then one day at school a kid there was being a bully and he broke his kneecap and ran away. He has been jumping from town to town since then. He goes to a new school every couple months and beats up a kid and leaves the next day. Once it was from a group of kids threatening to burn down a synagogue. Another time it was from a boy who date-raped a girl at the school. So after Jon he just left and went to another town.
Recommendations:
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys books with action or about drugs. Also anyone who has read other books by Pete Hautman and has enjoyed them.
August 16, 2019
It wasn't bad but it was nothing special. Good enough for a one time read through one sitting kind of thing. I mean it kept me entertained through that one sitting so that's good.
November 6, 2014
One of the foremost reasons I've adopted young-adult fiction as my literary poison of choice is, it reads so fast you don't get bogged down in unnecessary detours, metaphors, poetic license or fringe characters. YA is about plot, character and dialogue. It's perfect for a grown adult like me who's got a full-time job, small children and a latent case of arrested development. Even so, I'll occasionally get tied up with something that feels like a YA epic -
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
,
The Dream Thieves
, even
Divergent
.
All great books, but when I get done with them, I need a flash-read palette cleanser, something I can fly through in the fleeting free moments that occur over the course of a single day. Pete Hautman's Blank Confession is a great example - 170 pages of rapid plot, character and dialogue that still doesn't feel rushed and doesn't compromise its own atmosphere. It's so entertaining yet insubstantial that I'm not even sure if it was published in hardcover.
Twin narrators chronicle the book's events. First, Mikey: fashion-conscious, lovable goober, smallest kid in school. He stays off almost everyone's radar until Jon, the school bully/drug kingpin, on locker-search day tells him to hold a brown paper bag full of contraband. Considering his options, Mikey takes the bag and soon stuffs it at the bottom of a men's room trash can.
That's the last he sees of it; next day, Jon tells Mikey he owes him $500 to replace it. Mikey doesn't have any money; he has a problem. He also has a new friend, who's just transferred into school - Shayne Blank, a character whose name is not subtle or coincidental. Shayne wears all black and answers personal questions inconsistently and mysteriously, but he's a cool dude and a bit of a ninja, and he takes it upon himself to get involved in the Mikey/Jon imbroglio.
Second narrator is Detective Rawls, who's minutes away from finishing his workday when one Shayne Blank walks into the police station and confesses to a murder. Shayne, he finds, is poised, methodical and slow to speak, but it still somehow takes Rawls almost half the book to call his wife and tell her to eat dinner without him.
Mikey's narrative and Shayne's (via Detective Rawls) run concurrently and fill holes in the other's stories. Through our dual protagonists, we meet Marie, Mikey's sister and Jon's boyfriend; Trey and Kyle, Jon's daft bully underlings; Wart, Jon's way-older brother, who had run-ins with Rawls way before Rawls was a cop; and Mikey's dad, yet another in a series of YA novel single parents who are detached and clueless, albeit pleasant enough.
One thing I enjoyed about Blank Confession is - although it took the road often-traveled with its enigmatic hero (Shayne) who comes into the underdog's (Mikey's) life knowing exactly how to look, talk and fight - this book was self-aware enough to question and parody the Kid Who's So "Too Good To Be True" He Might Not Even Be Real trope. And that adds suspense and humor to what otherwise is a pretty small house of cards, like a one-bedroom efficiency of cards.
Blank Confession is a book I almost blindly pulled off the library shelf. (It was part of a display of YA books that had earned some kind of local award, so I can't take all the credit.) But prior to this, I'd never heard of author Pete Hautman. Dude's got like a zillion titles (actually, like 24, 16 of them YA), and I'm looking forward to reading Godless , so far Hautman's most decorated effort.
All great books, but when I get done with them, I need a flash-read palette cleanser, something I can fly through in the fleeting free moments that occur over the course of a single day. Pete Hautman's Blank Confession is a great example - 170 pages of rapid plot, character and dialogue that still doesn't feel rushed and doesn't compromise its own atmosphere. It's so entertaining yet insubstantial that I'm not even sure if it was published in hardcover.
Twin narrators chronicle the book's events. First, Mikey: fashion-conscious, lovable goober, smallest kid in school. He stays off almost everyone's radar until Jon, the school bully/drug kingpin, on locker-search day tells him to hold a brown paper bag full of contraband. Considering his options, Mikey takes the bag and soon stuffs it at the bottom of a men's room trash can.
That's the last he sees of it; next day, Jon tells Mikey he owes him $500 to replace it. Mikey doesn't have any money; he has a problem. He also has a new friend, who's just transferred into school - Shayne Blank, a character whose name is not subtle or coincidental. Shayne wears all black and answers personal questions inconsistently and mysteriously, but he's a cool dude and a bit of a ninja, and he takes it upon himself to get involved in the Mikey/Jon imbroglio.
Second narrator is Detective Rawls, who's minutes away from finishing his workday when one Shayne Blank walks into the police station and confesses to a murder. Shayne, he finds, is poised, methodical and slow to speak, but it still somehow takes Rawls almost half the book to call his wife and tell her to eat dinner without him.
Mikey's narrative and Shayne's (via Detective Rawls) run concurrently and fill holes in the other's stories. Through our dual protagonists, we meet Marie, Mikey's sister and Jon's boyfriend; Trey and Kyle, Jon's daft bully underlings; Wart, Jon's way-older brother, who had run-ins with Rawls way before Rawls was a cop; and Mikey's dad, yet another in a series of YA novel single parents who are detached and clueless, albeit pleasant enough.
One thing I enjoyed about Blank Confession is - although it took the road often-traveled with its enigmatic hero (Shayne) who comes into the underdog's (Mikey's) life knowing exactly how to look, talk and fight - this book was self-aware enough to question and parody the Kid Who's So "Too Good To Be True" He Might Not Even Be Real trope. And that adds suspense and humor to what otherwise is a pretty small house of cards, like a one-bedroom efficiency of cards.
Blank Confession is a book I almost blindly pulled off the library shelf. (It was part of a display of YA books that had earned some kind of local award, so I can't take all the credit.) But prior to this, I'd never heard of author Pete Hautman. Dude's got like a zillion titles (actually, like 24, 16 of them YA), and I'm looking forward to reading Godless , so far Hautman's most decorated effort.
October 31, 2018
Blank Confession, by Pete Hautman, is about a kid named Shayne Blank, that walks into a police station late at night to confess a murder that happened on the same night. Sections of the book are told in the point of view by a kid that Shayne meets named Mikey Martin. Shayne is new to town and Mikey is really the first person he meets at his new school. Shayne was definitely my favorite character because of how mystires he is throughout the whole book. He tells Mikey that he is living with his aunt and that his dad is in the military, but he changes this story depending on who is talking to. Shayne also has martial arts skills that are never explained in detail. Near the end of the book, it got really suspenseful and I really enjoy when a feeling of suspense travels though my body while i'm reading a book. My favorite part of the book was when we first got introduced to Shaynes fighting skills; when he throws a 200 plus pound giant of a man over his shoulder. The biggest thing I disliked about this book is that it was too short and there weren’t enough questions answered. We never learn who Shayne really is, where he is from, who his parents are, or why he is in this city. The only time of explanation we really get when Mikey asks Shayne how he knew how to throw someone that is charging at him over his shoulder. All Shayne said was “My dad showed me”. If you like suspenseful mystery type stories, this would be a perfect fit for you. It does a good job with detail and my favorite parts were when Shayne was fighting someone because of the picture it painted in my head.
I give Blank Confession a ⅗ because of its lack of explanation and shortness.
I give Blank Confession a ⅗ because of its lack of explanation and shortness.
June 9, 2012
** spoiler alert ** This book was so awesome.I thought it was going to be an ok book but I loved it.Especally the ending which was very surprising.It's a story about how a new boy in town confesses to a murdre and it is told from the point of view of his friend mikey and the interview room Shayne(the new kid)he is telling it from.The book leaves you in suspense about whow Shayne killed.I loved this book because of the awesome unexpected ending,humor,and the point of views they were telling it from.Everybody should...more This book was so awesome.I thought it was going to be an ok book but I loved it.Especally the ending which was very surprising.It's a story about how a new boy in town confesses to a murdre and it is told from the point of view of his friend mikey and the interview room Shayne(the new kid)he is telling it from.The book leaves you in suspense about whow Shayne killed.I loved this book because of the awesome unexpected ending,humor,and the point of views they were telling it from.Everybody should read this book.
October 12, 2016
Book Review
Title: ____Blank confession
Paragraph 1
1.Summary- What it’s all about:
In the book blank confession, It is about a murder that had taken place, by middle schoolers.
2. What’s the theme?
Is a murder committed by middle schoolers
Paragraph 2
3. Opinion- I liked/didn’t like this book because...
I liked it. Because it had mystery and thrill in it, when u were reading about a fight in it it was like u where in the fight
-Evidence to support my opinion-
It felt like this could actually happen.
“Kid” and they wouldn't call an adult kid so i thought that it was middle schoolers
-I would give this book a (rate out of 5)...
4-5 because it had everything i wanted action and mystery
4. Recommendation- I would recommend this book to… because…
To people who like action and mystery books
*Should put into paragraph format
*Check for capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
Title: ____Blank confession
Paragraph 1
1.Summary- What it’s all about:
In the book blank confession, It is about a murder that had taken place, by middle schoolers.
2. What’s the theme?
Is a murder committed by middle schoolers
Paragraph 2
3. Opinion- I liked/didn’t like this book because...
I liked it. Because it had mystery and thrill in it, when u were reading about a fight in it it was like u where in the fight
-Evidence to support my opinion-
It felt like this could actually happen.
“Kid” and they wouldn't call an adult kid so i thought that it was middle schoolers
-I would give this book a (rate out of 5)...
4-5 because it had everything i wanted action and mystery
4. Recommendation- I would recommend this book to… because…
To people who like action and mystery books
*Should put into paragraph format
*Check for capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2016
Blank Confession by Pete Hautman is a story about a kid who gets himself into some trouble that involves one of the school's drug dealers and he has to find a way out, luckily for him there's a new kid in town. I would rate this book with a 4 out of 5 stars, my reason why is because some of the instances that appear in the book may happen in real life, it also helps people get over some tough choices and teaches you how to overcome your fears.I feel that everyone should read this book because this book can help you overcome your fears.
This book has a thrilling ending that will put you on the edge of your seat, read as the story unfolds and who is confessing the murder and who will get killed, read Blank Confessions to find out.
This book has a thrilling ending that will put you on the edge of your seat, read as the story unfolds and who is confessing the murder and who will get killed, read Blank Confessions to find out.
December 27, 2019
((2.5/5)) I finished this in one sitting and while it was interesting, it doesn't feel very memorable. Parts of the story reminds me of the YouTube Original 'Wayne' which is far superior. Mikey is a bit irritating for my taste; too many oddities for one kid. I think the back of the book/description is misleading as to what the book is actually about. The 'twist' was rather plain and probably the weakest part of the story.
Also, the fact that all these high schoolers had motorcycles didn't feel believable.
Also, the fact that all these high schoolers had motorcycles didn't feel believable.
September 11, 2017
The story felt like it just kind of dragged on and on. I didn't care for any of the characters.
One thing that bothered me was how the cop looked at women. One girl was wearing a short skirt so he thinks she's a slut.
Another girl was chubby and I guess he didn't think she was pretty because of it but when she lost some weight he says she looks like a supermodel. I was like "Really"? I guess he doesn't like girls with a little extra weight.
One thing that bothered me was how the cop looked at women. One girl was wearing a short skirt so he thinks she's a slut.
Another girl was chubby and I guess he didn't think she was pretty because of it but when she lost some weight he says she looks like a supermodel. I was like "Really"? I guess he doesn't like girls with a little extra weight.
Read
March 20, 2018 Blank Confession is a book that shocks you from the first page turn you make. The story is about a new kid named Shayne and comes to this town and in the first week or two that he is in the new town he confesses to something really interesting. I enjoyed the book, the plot was interesting using the perspective of two different characters in each chapter. The changing of point of view might be confusing to certain readers if you do not pay attention. If you are a reader that doesn't enjoy the changing of points of view I do not recommend this book to you. I would suggest this to any reader that likes suspense and mystery. I would feel it could be read by either gender, anyone could enjoy this book because it includes a main character that is in high school and some of the readers might be able to connect to the book. It's not very normal for a new kid that came in to town to go to the police station and confess to murdering someone.
Read
April 24, 2017I thought that this book was very good because throughout the whole book it kind left you hanging with figuring out a mystery. There also was a good ending and plenty of action.
May 27, 2018
3.5 stars
October 5, 2018
although the book was a good read the ending wasn't the best it could have been.
January 17, 2020
Sooo good !
November 4, 2019
Personal Response
I thought that Blank Confessions is a pretty good book. I enjoyed the way that it is written. The book informed you right away about what the story is about. Some other things that made the book appealing are how the book is told during the story.
Plot Summary
Blank Confessions is about a boy named Shayne. Shayne is a freshman in high school. Shayne is an intelligent kid who always put effort while at school. That is until he met Jon. Jon is the new guy in Shayne’s school. Shayne and Jon slowly started talking and became good friends. Jon would always keep Shayne out of trouble. One day at school, there is a drug inspection. Jon knew that he would get caught with what he has in his backpack, so he decided to give it to Shayne. Shayne did not want to take whatever is in that bag because he is afraid of getting in trouble. Eventually, Shayne took the bag and hit it in his backpack. Shayne is scared of getting caught, so he decided to hide the bag in the garbage bin. Shayne and Jon went to get it after school, but the garbage truck has taken what is in that bin. Jon is so upset at Shayne that he ended up punching him and told him to pay him $500 for what he owed. Shayne knew that there is no way that he would pay him all that money. Shayne did not have a job. The only time he made money is when he helped his grandparents out. He only made $20 out of that, so he knew he needed to figure out something. He knew if he didn’t have the money, then he would be in a lot of trouble. The next day at school, a new student has arrived. His name is Mikey. Mikey is this six foot three guy weighing around 220 pounds. Mikey is a big guy and Shayne knew he needed to be friends with him to be protected from Shayne. Shayne talked to Mikey until they became good friends. Jon knew that he would not get his money if Mikey is around, so what he ended up doing is hurting Mikey real bad to the point where he couldn’t walk. Once this happened, Shayne is so scared and he knew that there has to be something done. Shayne waited until Mikey got better and then he told him a plan that he has in mind. Shayne told Mikey that they are going to go to a party of Jon’s and they would call him out in front of his friends. The day of the party arrived. Shayne and Mikey are ready for what is about to happen. Once they arrived at the party, they kept looking for Jon until they found him at his balcony. Shayne started saying things to Jon to get him mad. Jon decided to try to taste him, but Mikey got in the way and shoved Jon away. Jon’s taser fell on the floor and Shayne quickly picked it up and shot Jon with the taser gun. Once Jon got tased, it is over for him. Jon stumbled and fell out of his balcony that caused him to pass away. A couple weeks passed after the incident and Shayne decided to tell the police everything that went down at that party.
Characterization
This book is based off a first person view. The main character in the story is Shayne. Shayne is the protagonist in the book. He is the protagonist because he is trying to get rid of his bully. Shayne’s character becomes more careful once he knows what Jon is capable of.
The antagonist in the book is Jon. Jon is the antagonist because he is trying to hurt Shayne. Jon’s character becomes more harmful because Shayne won’t pay him. The book tells you how someone can have so many problems in the real world if they hang out with the wrong people. The moral of this story is to watch out for who you talk to because you cannot trust everyone.
Setting
The setting takes place in a small school. It is sort of like Weyauwega. Almost the whole story takes place in the school because that’s where the main character interacts with his bully, Jon. This setting is similar to Weyauwega due to the fact that it is a fairly small town with a small population. The town is quiet, but here and there, there are things that happen unexpectedly. The book could also be similar to today’s world because it is written in the 21st century.
Thematic Connection
A theme in the book is that the book is being told as the character telling the story while he is in the police station. The theme ended up becoming evident due to how the book would go back to the present when Shayne is telling the story.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to high school students. I recommend it to this group of people because there might be some people that understand this story better than younger people.
I thought that Blank Confessions is a pretty good book. I enjoyed the way that it is written. The book informed you right away about what the story is about. Some other things that made the book appealing are how the book is told during the story.
Plot Summary
Blank Confessions is about a boy named Shayne. Shayne is a freshman in high school. Shayne is an intelligent kid who always put effort while at school. That is until he met Jon. Jon is the new guy in Shayne’s school. Shayne and Jon slowly started talking and became good friends. Jon would always keep Shayne out of trouble. One day at school, there is a drug inspection. Jon knew that he would get caught with what he has in his backpack, so he decided to give it to Shayne. Shayne did not want to take whatever is in that bag because he is afraid of getting in trouble. Eventually, Shayne took the bag and hit it in his backpack. Shayne is scared of getting caught, so he decided to hide the bag in the garbage bin. Shayne and Jon went to get it after school, but the garbage truck has taken what is in that bin. Jon is so upset at Shayne that he ended up punching him and told him to pay him $500 for what he owed. Shayne knew that there is no way that he would pay him all that money. Shayne did not have a job. The only time he made money is when he helped his grandparents out. He only made $20 out of that, so he knew he needed to figure out something. He knew if he didn’t have the money, then he would be in a lot of trouble. The next day at school, a new student has arrived. His name is Mikey. Mikey is this six foot three guy weighing around 220 pounds. Mikey is a big guy and Shayne knew he needed to be friends with him to be protected from Shayne. Shayne talked to Mikey until they became good friends. Jon knew that he would not get his money if Mikey is around, so what he ended up doing is hurting Mikey real bad to the point where he couldn’t walk. Once this happened, Shayne is so scared and he knew that there has to be something done. Shayne waited until Mikey got better and then he told him a plan that he has in mind. Shayne told Mikey that they are going to go to a party of Jon’s and they would call him out in front of his friends. The day of the party arrived. Shayne and Mikey are ready for what is about to happen. Once they arrived at the party, they kept looking for Jon until they found him at his balcony. Shayne started saying things to Jon to get him mad. Jon decided to try to taste him, but Mikey got in the way and shoved Jon away. Jon’s taser fell on the floor and Shayne quickly picked it up and shot Jon with the taser gun. Once Jon got tased, it is over for him. Jon stumbled and fell out of his balcony that caused him to pass away. A couple weeks passed after the incident and Shayne decided to tell the police everything that went down at that party.
Characterization
This book is based off a first person view. The main character in the story is Shayne. Shayne is the protagonist in the book. He is the protagonist because he is trying to get rid of his bully. Shayne’s character becomes more careful once he knows what Jon is capable of.
The antagonist in the book is Jon. Jon is the antagonist because he is trying to hurt Shayne. Jon’s character becomes more harmful because Shayne won’t pay him. The book tells you how someone can have so many problems in the real world if they hang out with the wrong people. The moral of this story is to watch out for who you talk to because you cannot trust everyone.
Setting
The setting takes place in a small school. It is sort of like Weyauwega. Almost the whole story takes place in the school because that’s where the main character interacts with his bully, Jon. This setting is similar to Weyauwega due to the fact that it is a fairly small town with a small population. The town is quiet, but here and there, there are things that happen unexpectedly. The book could also be similar to today’s world because it is written in the 21st century.
Thematic Connection
A theme in the book is that the book is being told as the character telling the story while he is in the police station. The theme ended up becoming evident due to how the book would go back to the present when Shayne is telling the story.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to high school students. I recommend it to this group of people because there might be some people that understand this story better than younger people.
January 15, 2018
Plot Summary
Mikey has a pretty average life; his only problems involving his sister's boyfriend, Jon. Mikey meets a new student named Shayne, who's completely different from anyone else he's ever met. One day Jon gives Mikey a bag and tells him not to lose it. Known for his drug dealing past, Mikey doesn't trust him, and when a locker check is announced, Mikey has no other option but to throw the bag away, and Jon is not happy. Shayne and Mikey try their best to prevent Jon from doing something, but worse gets to worse and one of them ends up in the police station.
Personal Response
I really enjoyed this book, there was a lot of suspense and I really grew onto the characters throughout the book. The ending was a big plot twist, which I didn't expect. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that it took a couple of chapters to tell the characters apart.
Characterisation
Mikey starts off with his normal life, but once he meets Shayne, and Jon starts plotting revenge, his life changes drastically. Shayne starts off with the lone wolf kind of vibe, but then he grows on Mikey and wants him to be safe. In the beginning of the book, Jon is the mean character, who bullies kids and sells drugs, and at the end of the book he ends up nearly dead, and slowly starts to change his act around.
Recommendations
I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery and adventure. I think it would be a good book for anyone in high school because there are a couple graphic things when you're in the police officer's point of view. I think boys or girls could read this, because the book wasn't written toward a specific gender.
Mikey has a pretty average life; his only problems involving his sister's boyfriend, Jon. Mikey meets a new student named Shayne, who's completely different from anyone else he's ever met. One day Jon gives Mikey a bag and tells him not to lose it. Known for his drug dealing past, Mikey doesn't trust him, and when a locker check is announced, Mikey has no other option but to throw the bag away, and Jon is not happy. Shayne and Mikey try their best to prevent Jon from doing something, but worse gets to worse and one of them ends up in the police station.
Personal Response
I really enjoyed this book, there was a lot of suspense and I really grew onto the characters throughout the book. The ending was a big plot twist, which I didn't expect. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that it took a couple of chapters to tell the characters apart.
Characterisation
Mikey starts off with his normal life, but once he meets Shayne, and Jon starts plotting revenge, his life changes drastically. Shayne starts off with the lone wolf kind of vibe, but then he grows on Mikey and wants him to be safe. In the beginning of the book, Jon is the mean character, who bullies kids and sells drugs, and at the end of the book he ends up nearly dead, and slowly starts to change his act around.
Recommendations
I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery and adventure. I think it would be a good book for anyone in high school because there are a couple graphic things when you're in the police officer's point of view. I think boys or girls could read this, because the book wasn't written toward a specific gender.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2012
When I first started reading this book I found it somewhat boring and expected it to be about a boy committing murder because right at the beginning of the story they are already in the interview room and then that kind of confused me. Then I thought it’d just be chapter after chapter something new but Hautman set it up with it just about Mikey and then another chapter about the interview room and then another chapter of Rawls which really kept me excited and really into the book.
This story has four main characters, Detective Rawls, Shayne Blank, Mike Martin (Mikey), and Jon Brande. Detective Rawls had a specialty with younger kids, teenaged kids; he used to be a teacher but then became a Detective which is how he knows Shayne. Mikey is Shayne’s friend, his only friend and Shayne is Mikeys only friend also. Mikey is just a guy that keeps to himself, wears suits to school because he enjoys it and does whatever Jon wants him to do. Jon is the big bad bully at school. Jon is also the supplier for the students. When Shayne came to the new school Jon didn’t like him at all.
Shayne Blank is the new student, and he always has been. The students don’t talk to him, they don’t start with him, they don’t fight with him and they certainly don’t understand him. He isn’t an afraid of things kind of guy. He doesn’t show feeling or much emotion. He doesn’t talk about his life where it has been, where it’s going to be. But one day out of nowhere Shayne decides to just walk into Detective Rawls office and Rawls sees that there’s more to Shayne that nobody has figured out yet, not even those who think they are really close to him.
This book includes love, hate, confusion, want, need, suspense, anger, happiness, and many more emotions and feelings. I really liked Shayne and Mikey. You learn to hate Jon because he’s just like that bully in high school. You end up wanting to walk into Rawls office if you think you committed a murder (don’t worry it’s not a spoiler) because Rawls is so understanding. You want Mikey as a friend cause you come to find out he’ll do anything for a friend. And you grow to like Shayne because he is the most mysterious kid and is what keeps the book interesting.
I didn’t have any problems with this book maybe one or two chapters were boring but the way that Hautman set it up you are just entertained the entire time. There aren’t many characters to keep track of and everything that happens is exciting. This book is an attention grabber and who doesn’t love a little bit of suspense?!
Over all this was a really good book and if you like drama, heartbreak, friendships, betrayal and suspense than I would highly recommend this book for you!
This story has four main characters, Detective Rawls, Shayne Blank, Mike Martin (Mikey), and Jon Brande. Detective Rawls had a specialty with younger kids, teenaged kids; he used to be a teacher but then became a Detective which is how he knows Shayne. Mikey is Shayne’s friend, his only friend and Shayne is Mikeys only friend also. Mikey is just a guy that keeps to himself, wears suits to school because he enjoys it and does whatever Jon wants him to do. Jon is the big bad bully at school. Jon is also the supplier for the students. When Shayne came to the new school Jon didn’t like him at all.
Shayne Blank is the new student, and he always has been. The students don’t talk to him, they don’t start with him, they don’t fight with him and they certainly don’t understand him. He isn’t an afraid of things kind of guy. He doesn’t show feeling or much emotion. He doesn’t talk about his life where it has been, where it’s going to be. But one day out of nowhere Shayne decides to just walk into Detective Rawls office and Rawls sees that there’s more to Shayne that nobody has figured out yet, not even those who think they are really close to him.
This book includes love, hate, confusion, want, need, suspense, anger, happiness, and many more emotions and feelings. I really liked Shayne and Mikey. You learn to hate Jon because he’s just like that bully in high school. You end up wanting to walk into Rawls office if you think you committed a murder (don’t worry it’s not a spoiler) because Rawls is so understanding. You want Mikey as a friend cause you come to find out he’ll do anything for a friend. And you grow to like Shayne because he is the most mysterious kid and is what keeps the book interesting.
I didn’t have any problems with this book maybe one or two chapters were boring but the way that Hautman set it up you are just entertained the entire time. There aren’t many characters to keep track of and everything that happens is exciting. This book is an attention grabber and who doesn’t love a little bit of suspense?!
Over all this was a really good book and if you like drama, heartbreak, friendships, betrayal and suspense than I would highly recommend this book for you!
December 7, 2010
This book begins with Shayne Blank entering a police department to confess a murder. The question for readers is how this kid who is new to school got into the situation. Mikey is a kid whose mouth always gets him into trouble. Though he thinks he wants to blend in and be invisible at times, he dresses in secondhand suits that make him stick out from the regular high school crowd. When Shayne seems interested in being his friend, Mikey has just ticked off his sister’s boyfriend, drug dealer Jon by dumping a bag in order not to be caught in a sweep of the school. Jon now says that Mikey owes him $500 and that he will pay it back. As the tension grows throughout the novel and the damage done by Jon and others gets more intense, readers will be caught in flashbacks looking for the trigger to the murder. A riveting and tense story about truth, friendship and what one is capable of, this slim novel will hook many readers.
Hautman has written a novel with a structure that creates tension all on its own. Add in some evil drug dealing teens, a mouthy unusual teen who tells the bulk of the book in his voice, and the natural vibe of the police department, and this is one pulse-pounding book. Additionally, Hautman puts the characters in situations where murder is not only possible but likely. This adds to the taut nature of the book even further. The characters are interesting, especially Shayne who is very bright, very tough and a complete mystery. Mikey is a character who would be easily unlikeable but because much of the book is shown through his perspective becomes understood at least by the reader.
That said, the book is not perfect. The ending was brilliant, twisting away from the twist I had expected to my great delight. But the book should have ended a chapter earlier than it does. It should have left us hanging a bit, figuring it out for ourselves. With the final chapter added in, the mystery of Shayne is revealed and it is all a bit too neatly resolved. I’d have much preferred the mysteries and questions to remain.
A book that teens will relate to and be unable to put down, this is a tense and thrilling ride from confession to deed. Appropriate for ages 16-18.
Hautman has written a novel with a structure that creates tension all on its own. Add in some evil drug dealing teens, a mouthy unusual teen who tells the bulk of the book in his voice, and the natural vibe of the police department, and this is one pulse-pounding book. Additionally, Hautman puts the characters in situations where murder is not only possible but likely. This adds to the taut nature of the book even further. The characters are interesting, especially Shayne who is very bright, very tough and a complete mystery. Mikey is a character who would be easily unlikeable but because much of the book is shown through his perspective becomes understood at least by the reader.
That said, the book is not perfect. The ending was brilliant, twisting away from the twist I had expected to my great delight. But the book should have ended a chapter earlier than it does. It should have left us hanging a bit, figuring it out for ourselves. With the final chapter added in, the mystery of Shayne is revealed and it is all a bit too neatly resolved. I’d have much preferred the mysteries and questions to remain.
A book that teens will relate to and be unable to put down, this is a tense and thrilling ride from confession to deed. Appropriate for ages 16-18.
March 6, 2012
Shayne Blank is a mysterious character througout the story. Basically the book is narrarated through Shayne, Rawls, and Mikey. So the story starts off by Mikey being bullied by his brother-in-law, Jon Brande. Jon Brande bullied him more when Mikey lost his "dough" bag and thats whenShayne comes in. Shayne Blank is a very mysterious kid that comes through an unknown background. The main character Mikey Martin is a tiny kid with glasses that is Haitian, but looks like a mexican. So in the story Mikey loses Jon's bag, Jon wants Mikey to give him 500.00 dollars but Mikey doesn't want to. Mikey meets Shayne which is very helpful and protective. He is the new kid in school and quickly gets himself in trouble when he tries to help Mikey. Shayne is a very strong character and through his unknown strength Jon Brande is scared of him. Jon Brande is a drug dealer, bully who is going out with Mikey's sister. Mikey's sister secretly likes Shayne because Jon Brande is unknownly scared of him.
Mikey is a little kid that throughout the story is always being bullied. He is afraid to stand up to Jon and he needs his new friend Shayne to stand up for him. He wheres clothes that make him look "weird". He is afraid of Jon because Jon beat him up in the beginning of the story due to the fact that he cant keep his mouth from shutting up. The main reason he gets himself into trouble is because of his big mouth. Shayne gets tased by Jon Brande and can beat him up if he wants to. Shayne in the other hand has different stories of his parents jobs. He is a mysterious kid until the end. Everything is told through a confession made from Shayne directed to Rawls which last two whole hours. At the end Rawls retires and Shayne leaves the city. But Rawls was able to figure out Shayne's true identity.
This book was a really interesting book and made me want to keep on reading. It has a lot of fights and a lot of conversations from Mikey and Shayne. This book has a lot of action and is a drug dealing book and the problems that follow it. Pete Hautman is a popular author and has made multiple works that can directly relate to the young or adolescent reader. He lives in Minnesota and graduated from St. Louis Park High School.
Mikey is a little kid that throughout the story is always being bullied. He is afraid to stand up to Jon and he needs his new friend Shayne to stand up for him. He wheres clothes that make him look "weird". He is afraid of Jon because Jon beat him up in the beginning of the story due to the fact that he cant keep his mouth from shutting up. The main reason he gets himself into trouble is because of his big mouth. Shayne gets tased by Jon Brande and can beat him up if he wants to. Shayne in the other hand has different stories of his parents jobs. He is a mysterious kid until the end. Everything is told through a confession made from Shayne directed to Rawls which last two whole hours. At the end Rawls retires and Shayne leaves the city. But Rawls was able to figure out Shayne's true identity.
This book was a really interesting book and made me want to keep on reading. It has a lot of fights and a lot of conversations from Mikey and Shayne. This book has a lot of action and is a drug dealing book and the problems that follow it. Pete Hautman is a popular author and has made multiple works that can directly relate to the young or adolescent reader. He lives in Minnesota and graduated from St. Louis Park High School.
October 12, 2016
Blank Confession is a story of Shayne Blank, he comes in to the police station to confess a murder. He's the new kid in town and is very mysterious, he meets a average suit wearing kid named Mikey. Mikey who on the first day of school loses a bag of dope from the schools dope seller, Jon Brande. Mikey is forced the pay back Jon for the bag. MIkey struggles to make the money for Jon and Shayne is getting sick of seeing Mikey get hurt from not getting the money to Jon. Shayne and MIkey soon get the courage from having Jon beat up the both of them and having some of Jon's buddies beat them up for him, they finally make the choice stand up to Jon but things get out of proportion very fast.
My rate for this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars because the story in the beginning was very good and in the middle it had gotten even better, but the story towards the end to me seemed a little sloppy or messy. To me it was the last 5-10 pages that made the stars drop down, .5, it just seemed to me that they tried fitting a lot of information much into a little amount pages that they had left in the book.
I recommend this book to readers who like this excitement, this can really get at you while reading some parts of the book they are sometimes either happy or sad. Also I recommend this to people who love mystery because while going through the story you're trying to find out who was murdered, and sometimes it throws you off the track of finding out who was murdered and who is the murder.
In conclusion Blank Confession is a amazing book about theses two kids and the trouble they go through.This is a amazing book because of how it got me into the book and how it got my attention to the story, the characters make you care for them and the story itself is just amazing. this will go down as one of my favorite books.
My rate for this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars because the story in the beginning was very good and in the middle it had gotten even better, but the story towards the end to me seemed a little sloppy or messy. To me it was the last 5-10 pages that made the stars drop down, .5, it just seemed to me that they tried fitting a lot of information much into a little amount pages that they had left in the book.
I recommend this book to readers who like this excitement, this can really get at you while reading some parts of the book they are sometimes either happy or sad. Also I recommend this to people who love mystery because while going through the story you're trying to find out who was murdered, and sometimes it throws you off the track of finding out who was murdered and who is the murder.
In conclusion Blank Confession is a amazing book about theses two kids and the trouble they go through.This is a amazing book because of how it got me into the book and how it got my attention to the story, the characters make you care for them and the story itself is just amazing. this will go down as one of my favorite books.
November 12, 2012
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Although Shayne and Mikey have only been friends for a week, they are both involved in a murder investigation. One of them has confessed, but is he really the guilty one?
Shayne describes Mikey as a "dink." Combine Mikey's tiny stature and the odd thrift store suits he wears to school every day, and you have a bully magnet. Their friendship begins on Shayne's first day in the high school when he comes to Mikey's rescue. The two couldn't be more different, but a tight bond between them soon forms.
Readers learn the short history of this unusual friendship when Shayne confesses to murdering a high school tough guy named Jon Brande. Mikey fills in the back story as he explains his accidental involvement in Jon's drug distribution ring and his sister's current fascination with "bad boys."
Shayne's role in the story is revealed in his drawn out confession to Detective George Rawls. Together, the two parts of the story intertwine to reveal each character's weaknesses and secrets.
Author Pete Hautman always seems to give his tales an unusual twist, and BLANK CONFESSION is no exception. This fast read will satisfy his many fans and probably earn him some new ones. If you are looking for something a bit different to kick off a new year of reading, try BLANK CONFESSION.
Although Shayne and Mikey have only been friends for a week, they are both involved in a murder investigation. One of them has confessed, but is he really the guilty one?
Shayne describes Mikey as a "dink." Combine Mikey's tiny stature and the odd thrift store suits he wears to school every day, and you have a bully magnet. Their friendship begins on Shayne's first day in the high school when he comes to Mikey's rescue. The two couldn't be more different, but a tight bond between them soon forms.
Readers learn the short history of this unusual friendship when Shayne confesses to murdering a high school tough guy named Jon Brande. Mikey fills in the back story as he explains his accidental involvement in Jon's drug distribution ring and his sister's current fascination with "bad boys."
Shayne's role in the story is revealed in his drawn out confession to Detective George Rawls. Together, the two parts of the story intertwine to reveal each character's weaknesses and secrets.
Author Pete Hautman always seems to give his tales an unusual twist, and BLANK CONFESSION is no exception. This fast read will satisfy his many fans and probably earn him some new ones. If you are looking for something a bit different to kick off a new year of reading, try BLANK CONFESSION.
September 26, 2013
I read Blank Confession because I needed a book that looked like a quick read to finish off wide reading.
Blank Confession fills in the category for a book with a male main character. I don’t read books because of the main character’s gender, but for certain books, a certain gender works better as a main character.
A character I liked was Shayne, because he was mysterious, and he remains that way, even after you find out his identity. He’s different and has a unique personality, and he acts like the ‘lone hero’ and doesn’t become very close with many people.
A quote I liked was “a lot of people don’t want other people to know who they are. I think that, secretly, most of us would rather be somebody else.” This quote is very relatable, because very often, people are unsatisfied with themselves, and think that life would be much easier if they were someone else. Some people hide who they really are around people because they want to be seen as likeable, or they try to avoid others and pretend to be someone they’re not because of their personality.
Something I learnt from this book is that some people tend to look past other people’s flaws because of their popularity and social status. Some things that people do that are completely not okay are ignored by some other people just because of their popularity.
Blank Confession fills in the category for a book with a male main character. I don’t read books because of the main character’s gender, but for certain books, a certain gender works better as a main character.
A character I liked was Shayne, because he was mysterious, and he remains that way, even after you find out his identity. He’s different and has a unique personality, and he acts like the ‘lone hero’ and doesn’t become very close with many people.
A quote I liked was “a lot of people don’t want other people to know who they are. I think that, secretly, most of us would rather be somebody else.” This quote is very relatable, because very often, people are unsatisfied with themselves, and think that life would be much easier if they were someone else. Some people hide who they really are around people because they want to be seen as likeable, or they try to avoid others and pretend to be someone they’re not because of their personality.
Something I learnt from this book is that some people tend to look past other people’s flaws because of their popularity and social status. Some things that people do that are completely not okay are ignored by some other people just because of their popularity.
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