bruiser

__Bruiser__ by Neal Shusterman ISBN: 978-0-545-42391-5 c2010 328 pages

Good sections to read aloud: -pp. 24-27 when Tennyson runs into Bruiser in the locker room and see his back – tries to figure out just ‘who’ Bruiser is

Summary: This book alternates chapters from one character to another. Tennyson and Bronte are twins (boy/girl). When Bronte starts dating Bruiser, a guy from school that nobody really knows much about but assumes the worst of, Tennyson feels obligated to step in. It isn’t until he does that he truly realizes that everyone is wrong about this kid. Besides being told by Tennyson and Bronte, Bruiser tells parts of the story, as does Bruiser’s younger brother Cody. Both sibling sets have issues with their home life, and that’s an understatement. The book starts a bit slow, but gains momentum throughout and will have you reading fast to get to the end. Bruiser has a very valid reason for shutting people out that will leave you wondering what you would do if you were him.

YA Fiction--teen issues; bullies; supernatural powers; friends; divorce; high school; abuse

©Jennifer Lang - WDMS - 2013