The Snowball Effect

Dylan O'Connor #1

by Deb Loughead

Dylan and his friends snowball cars for entertainment on the weekend. When they don't get enough reaction from passing cars, they put rocks in the middle of their snowballs. Their first attack with the loaded snowballs causes a car crash. His friends flee, but Dylan goes to the scene of the accident to make sure the driver is okay. He runs off when he knows help is on the way. Dylan is sighted, and rather than being punished, he is lauded as a hero. As his lies pile up, so does the hype about his heroics, and along with it, Dylan's guilt.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Young Adult

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Justin Teply · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was a good book.

[Laura Guilbault · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story. A bit too many snowball metaphors and exclamation points, but really nice, satisfying ending.

[Deaunamiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how this boy helped a lady that was in a car crash. Then lied to the lady.

[Roy Bowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book yesterday. It was the best book I've read this school year. I think it was realistic about the worries and guilt you feel when you lie about something. Any kid who has ever told a lie should read this book (in other words, every kid).

[Gena Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I loved how there was a moral to the story. Even though Dylan lied to the press and seemed like the hero, he still did the right thing in the end by paying for the tree and apologized to Mrs. Buckley. He did this even though he wasn't the one who threw a snowball with a rock in it and caused the accident. This story taught me that I don't always have to do what my friends think is cool. I just have to stick to my morals and do what is right.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good!

[Ahsan Khan]

I think it is really book it shows how you can be a savage but empathic at the same time that’s what I like abot this book

[Lauren]

I really like this book and it is interesting to read.

[Kery:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

it just shows that kindness gets you places

[Karen Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminded me of Because of Mr. Terupt.

[Lisa McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for middle grade/early young-adult readers - an easy, engaging read about a boy struggling to decide to the tell the truth or face the consequences from a friend - who's also a bully. Fabulous read - lots of lessons without being preachy. Well done! Will be looking for more from this author!

[Becka dittmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the book was okay. It starts off as Dylan and his friends going out for some harmless fun. They think that taking snowballs and throwing them at cars is all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Thats exactly what happened. Dylans friends were getting bored of just snowballs so his friends decided to put rocks in there snowballs. Dyaln wouldnt put one in his becasue he didnt want to hurt anybody. One of the snowballs hit a windsheild of a car and made it swerve into a cement wall under a bridge. The friends took off but Dyaln went to see if the person was okay. The press wanted in on the story so he told them a version that made him seem like he was less invovled. After a while his guilt got the best of him so he went to the news and told them the real version of the story. People were mad at his for a while but then thought that he did the right thing so they forgave him. I would recommend this book to younger people because it teaches a lesson on what to do in a bad situation.

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would be a good choice for a Hi/Lo reader. It was an easy read with a moral behind the story. My main reason for saying it was OK is that at some points it felt cheezy. I understand the reason for not adding to the drama would be to keep the book simple, but there were points in the story that I thought... really?? It would not be common for two boys to go to a reporter and spill their guts because of guilt (or maybe I'm not giving teenage boys enough credit). Overall it did have a good moral to watch what friends you are following and to listen to that little voice in your head when you know what you are doing is wrong. Dylan and Cory demonstrate a courage that could lose them some friends they truly enjoyed being around. I will say the title of this story is perfect. The story shows how lies can build on each other and before you know it you feel snowballed under them, and this lie all starts with the throwing of a snowball gone wrong.

[Drew Geier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very good for many reasons. It tells a story about a boy named Dylan who is hanging out with his friends and they enjoy throwing snowballs at cars off of the town bridge. When they go to do that his friends end up putting rocks inside the snowballs so it will cause damage to the cars, bad decision because once they all throw it hits the car and she spins out of control and crashes. Dylan just couldn’t leave her to suffer so he goes down off the bridge and helps her out by giving her a blanket, some ice for the pain, and calling the ambulance. He is then is called the hero of the town but that’s not true because he was with his friends who caused the accident. Now he is getting free Christmas trees, cards, and thanks from random people and thanks he does not deserve, He is in some huge trouble and you will have to read the book to find out what happens.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its starts out as just innocent fun for Dylan, Cory, Matt, and Garrett; What would throwing snowballs at passing cars do anyways? However, that all changes when Garrett decides to put rocks in the snowballs, and then throw them. They did it, and someone got hurt. Three out of the four boys ran from the scene, but Dylan could not do that. Now Dylan is being considered a hero, and he can not stand it. He keeps coming up with these lies to avoid the press, and they keep piling up. Will Dylan be able to get through this in one piece or will he breakdown first?


Overall, this book was really good. It was a fast read, and a lot better then most of the Orca currents books.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published by Orca Currents, The Snowball Effect is a high interest, lower reading level boook printed especially for those teens who struggle with reading. The story is fairly simplistic, about the effects on a teenage boy of telling lies. I have a hard time getting these books to circulate at my library. Teens don't seem to want to check out paperbacks, and because these are smaller than the average paperback, they get lost on the shelf. I display they with the covers out, but they still don't get picked up.

[Erynn Heinert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Snowball Effect was a pretty good book. It all started out when Dylan was hanging out with the wrong group of kids. They decided to go snowbombing and Dylan knew it wasn't right. Then, his friends decided to put rocks in the snowballs and the car they threw it at crashed. His friends all ran but Dylan checked on the driver. People saw him and now he is known as a hero. Deb Loughead kept it very interesting because you were always wondering if Dylan would get caught for lieing.

[Anton Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snowballs: a soft creation of compacted snow to have a spherical shape. Many find them to be used when playing with a friend or two joyfully. But what happens when they're used in a harmful way. Dylan is discovers what happens what happens when him and his friends are snow-bombing cars from on top of a bridge. After a while, two of the four friends decide to put a rock in a snowball, Dylan not included.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read a book called The Snowball Effect by Deb Loughead. A group of three boys were throwing snowballs at cars. They hit a car and caused an accident. One boy went to help and left when help came. Upon finding out he was the first person there to help he was thought of as a hero. This book shows that the characters struggle with what is right and wrong. I would recommend this book especially for kids because they can relate to the characters struggles.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read. I thought the struggle that Dylan had with all the loss snowballing was told very well. My only problem was that I thought ending was just too neatly finished. Still it was interesting and I somewhat enjoyed it.

2.5 stars

[Alex Sprague · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a few boys that are out doing some boy stuff. Then one of the boys comes up with a good idea to throw snowballs at cars going by and some of them put rocks in them. Then there was a crash. It's not a bad book

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story. The writing was a little too young at times, but I liked it mostly.

I liked that Cody and Dylan didn't actually put rocks in their snowballs...wish they wouldn't have thrown any at all. Lol

It was funny how Dylan's coat is how everyone knows who he is ;)

[BCPL Youth Services Librarian]

Click to see book in BCPL's online catalog

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good for hi/lo readers, but that means that the characters and plot didn't have much time to get a very in-depth treatment.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great little book! A short read that tells a story, but teaches a lesson about being a follower instead of a leader that has unfortunate consequences.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canadian. ORCA. Social content - grade 7 and higher

[P3ChristianL · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Snowball Effect is a very interesting book. These is a book that you would sometimes have to stop and think about it. Its a quick book and easy to enjoy.

[Mrs. A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story to make you think. This reminded me of a similar tragedy that happened in Eau Claire, but in that situation a man died.

[Nik Fiset]

This book was intense and it sucks the reader in

[Rodrigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

IS a really good book