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The Monkeyface Chronicles
*Winner 2011 White Pine Award
Philip Skyler learned early in his life that his face would get him into trouble and there was nothing he could do about it. Born with an extreme facial deformity, he became the object of attention. Though medical scientists named his condition Van der Woude syndrome, his classmates, especially the bullies, just called him "Monkeyface."
Monkeyface Chronicles is his sweet story of revenge. Philip's aphorism-toting grandfather used to say, "Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect," and Philip is about to embark on a life journey of payback that has everything to do with cause and effect. While riding his father's motorcycle to Toronto to escape the dregs of Faireville, Philip has a life-changing experience that transforms him from the dupe he was as a kid into a conquering hero in his twenties.
Philip Skyler learned early in his life that his face would get him into trouble and there was nothing he could do about it. Born with an extreme facial deformity, he became the object of attention. Though medical scientists named his condition Van der Woude syndrome, his classmates, especially the bullies, just called him "Monkeyface."
Monkeyface Chronicles is his sweet story of revenge. Philip's aphorism-toting grandfather used to say, "Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect," and Philip is about to embark on a life journey of payback that has everything to do with cause and effect. While riding his father's motorcycle to Toronto to escape the dregs of Faireville, Philip has a life-changing experience that transforms him from the dupe he was as a kid into a conquering hero in his twenties.
312 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2010
3 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 14, 2010
Mature. About a boy that is born with an extreme facial deformity. The story starts when he is young with the meat of the story taking place in high school.
February 12, 2012
I met Richard Scarsbrook!!!! My book is signed!!!! Sorry, I had to brag about that. This is the best white pine book I have ever read and it definitely deserved the award it won. I felt pretty skeptical going into it, but by the end, I was in love. Deeply emotional and deliciously character oriented, this book is one of my favourite YA of all time!
May 6, 2010
The Monkeyface Chronicles is a riveting read aimed at the YA crowd. It's a story of adolescent revenge played out against a backdrop of the extremes of modern life. The book is a real page turner and hard to put down, but in some ways its frenetic quality works against it. No sublety. However, if you are into fundamental Christianity, weird syndromes, plastic surgery, motorcycles, hockey, sex, do-it yourself pornography, cemeteries and wine, then this is the book for you. If it were a TV program it would come complete with a warning about everything. But, oddly likeable.
June 2, 2011
The Monkeyface Chronicles was the winner of the Ontario Library Association's 2011 White Pine Award!
My sincere thanks to all of the teachers and librarians whose dedication to literacy makes the Forest of Reading Program happen!
And my sincere thanks to all of the students who read the books and voted in the White Pine Awards! Literacy and democracy are two of the cornerstones of a great society. I am glad to know that our future is in your hands.
My sincere thanks to all of the teachers and librarians whose dedication to literacy makes the Forest of Reading Program happen!
And my sincere thanks to all of the students who read the books and voted in the White Pine Awards! Literacy and democracy are two of the cornerstones of a great society. I am glad to know that our future is in your hands.
April 9, 2010
A dark story about bullying with numerous twists, that still finishes with a hopeful yet bittersweet ending. It reminds us that no matter how messed up our families may be, often, they are are our strongest and most important bonds.
May 4, 2020
Bad title...who would that tempt? And a nothing much cover. And an outstanding book! Wonderful, complex, brilliantly written, satisfying and complete. There are wonderful, real characters, mysterious goings on, villains to hate, underdogs, and great people!
October 10, 2025
Waste of my time.
April 19, 2013
In my whole life, I have never read a realistic fiction book that was this unique. It is a dark twisted story about how Philip Skyler has to deal with unscrupulous acts of bullying around him, where it makes the reader feel sympathetic for how he is treated. Philip was born with an extreme facial deformity making him a target of discrimination, while he had to live in the shadow of his perfect brother Michael. The book follows Philip throughout his adolescence in a first person perspective which shows how society has shaped him into who he is at the end.
What I admire about the novel is Philip’s character. When you’ve been insulted and beaten by almost all the kids in town throughout high school, would you want to continue your life? I know I wouldn’t. But Philip, he persevered through his life hoping that one day he will be treated like everyone else. What he lacks in appearance, he makes it up with his heart.
With every hero, there is always a villain(s). Throughout his life, Philip was tormented by the Brush brothers who are constantly pushing him back down whenever he is trying to climb up in society. The unspeakable things that they do to Philip provokes the readers in a way where the readers themselves; want to strangle the Brush brothers personally (I know I would), as if all the things that they did to Philip, they did to you. As life can’t seem much worst for Philip, a night of tragic and unforeseen events (guess who did it) causes him to take off on a remarkable journey of redemption where he would one day come back and get his revenge.
The book utilizes satire and irony effectively to poke fun at how bitter society has become and how some things are not what they seem to be. This gives the dramatic plot twist throughout the story which makes the book distinctive from others. The author does a terrific job at using many quotes about life at the right time in the story. Usually, it is when Philip is up against a problem and the author brings up a quote like “live well, it is the greatest revenge” (Scarsbrook, 289) as a moral for him to make the right decision.
The YA book portraits the cruel society so realistically well that it is frightening how people like Philip are in these situations every day, while people like me are just loafing around. This was such a good book that I would recommend it to anyone who reads, as it doesn't just entertain you, it teaches you about life.
What I admire about the novel is Philip’s character. When you’ve been insulted and beaten by almost all the kids in town throughout high school, would you want to continue your life? I know I wouldn’t. But Philip, he persevered through his life hoping that one day he will be treated like everyone else. What he lacks in appearance, he makes it up with his heart.
With every hero, there is always a villain(s). Throughout his life, Philip was tormented by the Brush brothers who are constantly pushing him back down whenever he is trying to climb up in society. The unspeakable things that they do to Philip provokes the readers in a way where the readers themselves; want to strangle the Brush brothers personally (I know I would), as if all the things that they did to Philip, they did to you. As life can’t seem much worst for Philip, a night of tragic and unforeseen events (guess who did it) causes him to take off on a remarkable journey of redemption where he would one day come back and get his revenge.
The book utilizes satire and irony effectively to poke fun at how bitter society has become and how some things are not what they seem to be. This gives the dramatic plot twist throughout the story which makes the book distinctive from others. The author does a terrific job at using many quotes about life at the right time in the story. Usually, it is when Philip is up against a problem and the author brings up a quote like “live well, it is the greatest revenge” (Scarsbrook, 289) as a moral for him to make the right decision.
The YA book portraits the cruel society so realistically well that it is frightening how people like Philip are in these situations every day, while people like me are just loafing around. This was such a good book that I would recommend it to anyone who reads, as it doesn't just entertain you, it teaches you about life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 7, 2012Reviewed by Rachel Seigel
Philip Skyler was born with a facial deformity, making him an easy target for bullying and teasing in his small hometown. By contrast, Philip’s twin brother Michael is good looking, athletic and popular, and a star player on his hockey team. When a horrifying act of violence puts Michael in the hospital — brain-damaged and possibly dying — Philip embarks on a journey that will change his life in amazing and unimaginable ways.
Richard Scarsbrook’s third novel for young adults departs from the comical style of his first two books and demonstrates his versatility with a very powerful and dramatic story. The novel is set in a small, fictional town called Faireville, and the author does a terrific job of creating atmosphere. The town is stifling. With a population of under 3,000 people and businesses that are dying or barely scraping by, there are few options or expectations for its residents.
Like many books with a small-town setting, the town is populated with a variety of odd and quirky characters (particularly in Philip’s family), but the strength of this book is that it isn’t a typical quirky small-town book. Instead, the author uses the town to magnify issues of bullying, self-image and courage.
Bullying is rampant in this town — from the members of the local Tabernacle church (who use religion to justify violence) to the worst culprits, the twin sons of the school principal (later mayor). They are cruel and deliberately violent, but there is no immediate justice. Their ultimate violent act, while horrifying to read, sets off the chain of events which directly impact Philip and his family.
There are many dramatic and unexpected twists in this novel, but there is also a liberal amount of humour and irony, which keeps it both entertaining and readable. Sexual references, violent content and language make this more suitable for the older spectrum of the high school reader, but fans of the author’s previous works will not be disappointed.
Canadian Children's Book News (Summer 2010, Vol. 33, No. 3)
Philip Skyler was born with a facial deformity, making him an easy target for bullying and teasing in his small hometown. By contrast, Philip’s twin brother Michael is good looking, athletic and popular, and a star player on his hockey team. When a horrifying act of violence puts Michael in the hospital — brain-damaged and possibly dying — Philip embarks on a journey that will change his life in amazing and unimaginable ways.
Richard Scarsbrook’s third novel for young adults departs from the comical style of his first two books and demonstrates his versatility with a very powerful and dramatic story. The novel is set in a small, fictional town called Faireville, and the author does a terrific job of creating atmosphere. The town is stifling. With a population of under 3,000 people and businesses that are dying or barely scraping by, there are few options or expectations for its residents.
Like many books with a small-town setting, the town is populated with a variety of odd and quirky characters (particularly in Philip’s family), but the strength of this book is that it isn’t a typical quirky small-town book. Instead, the author uses the town to magnify issues of bullying, self-image and courage.
Bullying is rampant in this town — from the members of the local Tabernacle church (who use religion to justify violence) to the worst culprits, the twin sons of the school principal (later mayor). They are cruel and deliberately violent, but there is no immediate justice. Their ultimate violent act, while horrifying to read, sets off the chain of events which directly impact Philip and his family.
There are many dramatic and unexpected twists in this novel, but there is also a liberal amount of humour and irony, which keeps it both entertaining and readable. Sexual references, violent content and language make this more suitable for the older spectrum of the high school reader, but fans of the author’s previous works will not be disappointed.
Canadian Children's Book News (Summer 2010, Vol. 33, No. 3)
July 24, 2015
This is a coming of age novel about a young boy, born with a facial deformity, who is bullied at school. The plot leads to one very tragic night that was supposed to be a triumph but ends in tragedy and a shocking revelation. The rest of the book deals with the consequences of that night.
The author did a very good job of describing the characters, and as a result I had a lot of empathy for the main character Philip, and also was absorbed by the intricate plot. The fact that the time span was over several years helped with a satisfactory resolution to the story. As a Canadian, and living near Toronto, I also enjoyed the fact that the story was set close by, with details of places that are familiar to me.
I expected the same old story about bullying, but happily the author went beyond the obvious and made it more complicated and interesting. Definitely worth the read.
The author did a very good job of describing the characters, and as a result I had a lot of empathy for the main character Philip, and also was absorbed by the intricate plot. The fact that the time span was over several years helped with a satisfactory resolution to the story. As a Canadian, and living near Toronto, I also enjoyed the fact that the story was set close by, with details of places that are familiar to me.
I expected the same old story about bullying, but happily the author went beyond the obvious and made it more complicated and interesting. Definitely worth the read.
June 23, 2011
Very entertaining and hard to put down. I read the entire third act in one sitting, on the eve of Father’s Day, which is interesting considering the plot revelations that come out.
In many instances, the characters surprise you by behaving in ways you don’t expect. Some characters are set up to be a certain way, but end up making choices that break out of what a cliched version of the character might do. For example, in an early scene, the principal of the school, who is also the father of the school bullies, resolves a bullying incident by favouring justice over nepotism. It took me by surprise, and it was very satisfying.
Overall, a funny and enjoyable read.
In many instances, the characters surprise you by behaving in ways you don’t expect. Some characters are set up to be a certain way, but end up making choices that break out of what a cliched version of the character might do. For example, in an early scene, the principal of the school, who is also the father of the school bullies, resolves a bullying incident by favouring justice over nepotism. It took me by surprise, and it was very satisfying.
Overall, a funny and enjoyable read.
March 12, 2011
I liked the book. Its about a boy faced with adversity because of his physical defect but rises above it. We see a realistic story that touch bases with many real problems. It also shows how all the characters grow and muture. Some of the character change profoundly in a positive ways as they grow but others more or less just become older version of themselves. There are several themes in the story but I'm not going to go into them. I think its a good book and that others should read it too but, not all of you will like.
August 15, 2016
This is a book that I have to do an english summative on which is annoying...
In the beginning of the book, I thought it was an ordinary book where a boy need to deal with his bullying that happens in school, however after a few years has past, in his final year of highschool, things start to get twisted, Phillip descovered things that he never knew about his family as well as the people around him.
The plot twist in the end was not expected at all like AT ALL!
This a pretty weird book for me but did enjoy it!
In the beginning of the book, I thought it was an ordinary book where a boy need to deal with his bullying that happens in school, however after a few years has past, in his final year of highschool, things start to get twisted, Phillip descovered things that he never knew about his family as well as the people around him.
The plot twist in the end was not expected at all like AT ALL!
This a pretty weird book for me but did enjoy it!
February 21, 2012
Great book! I found it very descriptive and interesting to read. It was sad at parts and really touching. It shows how some people really are like inside. I would read this book again.
March 11, 2013
Supposedly a book for young adults. I quite enjoyed it. Interesting story with lots of twists. Recommended.
October 13, 2014
One of my Favourite Books :)
August 3, 2016
A page turner for sure! Story about petty prejudices and tragic outcomes. Keeps you engaged with many twists and turns - foreshadowing a sad outcome. The finish however seemed too melodramatic
March 11, 2011
TERRIBLE ENDING
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews