Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Chicken House (Scholastic Inc.)
Pages
488
Description
When two of sixteen-year-old Pete's childhood classmates disappear from a carnival the same night, he is a suspect, but his own investigation implicates other old friends he was with that evening--and a tough, knife-wielding enemy determined to keep him quiet.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2008
Physical description
488 p.; 8.8 inches
ISBN
0545057523 / 9780545057523
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member dancingbacon
This by far has to be one of my favourite books by this Kevin Brooks. I was glued to the pages to find out just exactly what had happened during that carnival... and I wasn't disappointed when I finally found out.
Definitely a must have book.
Definitely a must have book.
LibraryThing member carlienichole
This book was great...until the end. I liked the suspense but when they never found his friend or anything...well that seemed to make the whole rest of the story pointless.
LibraryThing member ohioyalibrarian
If you like your books a bit on the creepy side (not really scary, not horror, just creepy) then you will probably like this book and most anything Kevin Brooks writes. I love creepy and this is one of the best. The author writes a more mature version of David Almond, whom I also love. I would have
5 high school students who used to all be great friends get together for a bit of a farewell party, even though many of them have moved on to their separate circles. The party takes place in one of their old "dens" and involves drinking and marijuana. Little do many of them know that their tequila has been spiked with an ecstasy like drug, causing hallucinations and a sense of disquiet for the rest of the evening. The party does not go off well, and soon everyone has gone their separate ways, only to find out in the morning that one of them is missing and another character known to them is dead. How could this have happened and what happened. For these kids, waking in the morning means the nightmare is just beginning. A true page-turner!
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given this book 5 stars, but for the fact that some important ends were left untied at the end. This adds to the creepy factor, yet I became so attached to one character in particular that I almost couldn't stand not knowing all. It's as if I lost someone I love and don't know what happened to them. All the more reason to give the book 5 stars, but I'm stubborn and I didn't. Anyway, on to the story.5 high school students who used to all be great friends get together for a bit of a farewell party, even though many of them have moved on to their separate circles. The party takes place in one of their old "dens" and involves drinking and marijuana. Little do many of them know that their tequila has been spiked with an ecstasy like drug, causing hallucinations and a sense of disquiet for the rest of the evening. The party does not go off well, and soon everyone has gone their separate ways, only to find out in the morning that one of them is missing and another character known to them is dead. How could this have happened and what happened. For these kids, waking in the morning means the nightmare is just beginning. A true page-turner!
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LibraryThing member HankSB
It is a long, hot summer between high school and the future. When old friends decide to reuite on a fateful evening their lives are forever changed. As Pete tries to make sense of the events that transpired in the den and carnival he learns dark secrets that ultimately endanger his life.
LibraryThing member KGVLibrary
Great read! The tension and suspense kept me reading on and i loved the mixture of mystery, adventure and a bit of romance. However I thought the ending was disappointing as it was quite blunt and left too many questions unanswered.
Lorna Layfield 10S
Lorna Layfield 10S
LibraryThing member RoDor
Pete Boland knows that things have changed since he was fourteen. School is over and some of his friends are going off to college in the fall. Then why is he and Raymond hanging out with Eric, Nicole, and Pauly on Saturday night at the Carnival? Sunday morning finds Raymond and Stella missing. He
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knows Raymond would never harm anybody. But where is he? And Stella? Thrilling! Show Less
LibraryThing member puffvick
Okay so at first the plot was really annoying and so predictable. Teens + Local Fair + Drugs = Disaster. Well After all there is gay people and drama. Dead things and people. Tarot cards. Future Missing Guy. A kidnap. And we all realize that People care the most about famous people. Not about
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nobodies. The end comes much to quick but it is really fun to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member brokenangelkisses
Although this is billed as a story about one mysterious night in a long, hot summer, Brooks’ novel is much more than a “who-dunnit” or even a “why-dunnit”. From the opening pages he captures the world of teenagers everywhere, with their complex web of shifting relationships, vulnerability
"Plot"
After a slow start which follows the main character through the lead up to the big night, there is the hazily captured main event: the funfair. The chaotic atmosphere is captured perfectly as the teenagers stumble through the night, high on a heady mixture of drugs, booze and the teenager’s sense of sheer invulnerability. Like a kaleidoscope revolving, old friends meet and spin apart, some heading to destruction. The morning after is when the thriller aspect of the story begins and the novel really picks up pace: two teenagers are missing and the police appear to have decided on a disagreeable interpretation of events. Desperate to discover the truth and find his friend, the main character repeatedly (but believably) escapes the police and his parents to do his own sleuthing. Along the way he learns new information about old friends and encounters growing violence and danger. As the novel draws to a close, twists and turns abound but the whole truth appears to be out of reach.
From this summary, two important points should be clear. Firstly, this is not a suitable novel for very young teens, who may find the sexual content and repeated references to drug abuse disturbing. (This is not as patronising as it may sound: I discussed this book with the Berkshire Book Award shadowing group at my school, and many of them had found the bad language and other explicit content prevented them from enjoying the novel. One girl had refused to read any further than the opening chapters. Interestingly, many of them did still think it was a good book, although it made them so uncomfortable.)
Secondly, this is not a book for those who like to have everything neatly resolved. Brooks has said in interviews that he prefers to keep his books open-ended as it encourages people to keep thinking about the book; once the story is tied up, he thinks, you put the book out of your mind quickly and move on. Although I prefer closed endings myself, I think he is correct as I kept looking back at the earlier chapters for clues when I had finished! Overall, enough is resolved to allow you to feel that the story can close, but enough is left unanswered to make you keep wondering.
The pace is good and will keep you turning pages long after you should have turned out the lights! The sense of progress never lets up, even as Pete becomes increasingly exhausted by the after effects of that night…
"Characters"
First person narrator Pete Boland is drifting through an uneventful summer when he receives a phone call from Nicole, a girl who was clearly more than a friend once. In typical Brooks’ style, the reader never really uncovers the history of their previous relationship, or what they really felt for each other. In some ways, this is refreshing: who, when faced with a call from an old friend, really thinks through the whole history of their relationship? Or talks it all through with another friend? ‘Oh, you remember I told you about the time that we…’ Instead, we learn about Pete and Nic’s past and present relationship through their very believable dialogue and some sketchy, hastily pushed aside memories of Pete’s. Of course, for those readers who like to know everything to help them establish a feel for characters, this may be frustrating, but the first person narrative and Pete’s initially calm (almost depressed) approach to life allow you to live the story alongside him. The story remains firmly in Pete’s hands: other characters are seen through his eyes, to good effect. This is perhaps especially true of Raymond.
Raymond Daggett is introduced as the only friend Pete appears to be close to and, although he is never labelled with any disorder, it is clear that he is a very strange young man. He spends nights outside with his rabbit – Black Rabbit – talking to him. Perhaps more importantly, Black Rabbit talked back. His parents appear largely heartless and there are suggestions that they are abusive, or at least extremely neglectful of him. However, painted by Pete’s vision of him, Raymond appears childish and in need of protection. This is important when he comes under suspicion later in the novel as the reader is forced to try to evaluate the true nature of a character that they have only really seen from one perspective.
The other teens all pay crucial roles, but are less important to Pete, at least initially. Nicole and her twin brother Eric were once good friends of Pete’s, though he struggles now to remember why, and doesn’t seem to like Eric at all. This is also true of Pauly Gilpin, who comes across as potentially one of the saddest characters in the story. Brooks convincingly shows how friends who have drifted apart might struggle to reconnect. Pauly appears to be friends with Wes Campbell, the local bully who controls the Greenwell estate kids. Each character is convincingly drawn and their interactions gradually reveal the mystery of That Night.
Other characters are also important to the story, such as the fortune teller who insists that Raymond should go home, adding a slightly mystical feel to the novel. Again, additional characters are well realised and (apart from the ‘man with a moustache – who may be simply a hallucination – ) are vital to the plot.
"Atmosphere/setting"
Where Brooks excels is in creating a humid, fearful, tense atmosphere. His vivid descriptions create the summer of the story as a vivid backdrop, and when the Greenwell kids approach Pete they are described in a manner that makes them appear to be deadly threatening foes.
The geography of the estate is important to the novel, but it is revealing that there is no map included in the book. Unlike so many authors, Brooks feels no need of this tool; his setting is clearly mapped out by Pete’s descriptions as he sets up the story and, later, as he moves between each area.
The descriptions of the fairground and events afterwards often take on a surreal, hallucination-type quality as the characters were drunk, stoned and drugged. However, this quality in the novel is never clearly reduced to the effect of narcotics and the fortune teller’s apparent premonition adds to a slightly magical atmosphere which I think is enhanced by certain unresolved features at the close of the novel. This helps to make the novel compelling: will it transpire that mystical forces were at work?
"Conclusion"
Personally, I did not actually enjoy reading most of this book. I felt it reminded me of ‘Skins’, a TV drama that I choose not to watch. The characters seem stereotypically teenage: involved in drugs, drink and dope while indulging in casual sex.
However, I do think that it is likely to be a compelling read for most, provided they are aware of the content and do not demand a neatly resolved ending.
Show More
to each other and complete refusal to share their world in full with any adults."Plot"
After a slow start which follows the main character through the lead up to the big night, there is the hazily captured main event: the funfair. The chaotic atmosphere is captured perfectly as the teenagers stumble through the night, high on a heady mixture of drugs, booze and the teenager’s sense of sheer invulnerability. Like a kaleidoscope revolving, old friends meet and spin apart, some heading to destruction. The morning after is when the thriller aspect of the story begins and the novel really picks up pace: two teenagers are missing and the police appear to have decided on a disagreeable interpretation of events. Desperate to discover the truth and find his friend, the main character repeatedly (but believably) escapes the police and his parents to do his own sleuthing. Along the way he learns new information about old friends and encounters growing violence and danger. As the novel draws to a close, twists and turns abound but the whole truth appears to be out of reach.
From this summary, two important points should be clear. Firstly, this is not a suitable novel for very young teens, who may find the sexual content and repeated references to drug abuse disturbing. (This is not as patronising as it may sound: I discussed this book with the Berkshire Book Award shadowing group at my school, and many of them had found the bad language and other explicit content prevented them from enjoying the novel. One girl had refused to read any further than the opening chapters. Interestingly, many of them did still think it was a good book, although it made them so uncomfortable.)
Secondly, this is not a book for those who like to have everything neatly resolved. Brooks has said in interviews that he prefers to keep his books open-ended as it encourages people to keep thinking about the book; once the story is tied up, he thinks, you put the book out of your mind quickly and move on. Although I prefer closed endings myself, I think he is correct as I kept looking back at the earlier chapters for clues when I had finished! Overall, enough is resolved to allow you to feel that the story can close, but enough is left unanswered to make you keep wondering.
The pace is good and will keep you turning pages long after you should have turned out the lights! The sense of progress never lets up, even as Pete becomes increasingly exhausted by the after effects of that night…
"Characters"
First person narrator Pete Boland is drifting through an uneventful summer when he receives a phone call from Nicole, a girl who was clearly more than a friend once. In typical Brooks’ style, the reader never really uncovers the history of their previous relationship, or what they really felt for each other. In some ways, this is refreshing: who, when faced with a call from an old friend, really thinks through the whole history of their relationship? Or talks it all through with another friend? ‘Oh, you remember I told you about the time that we…’ Instead, we learn about Pete and Nic’s past and present relationship through their very believable dialogue and some sketchy, hastily pushed aside memories of Pete’s. Of course, for those readers who like to know everything to help them establish a feel for characters, this may be frustrating, but the first person narrative and Pete’s initially calm (almost depressed) approach to life allow you to live the story alongside him. The story remains firmly in Pete’s hands: other characters are seen through his eyes, to good effect. This is perhaps especially true of Raymond.
Raymond Daggett is introduced as the only friend Pete appears to be close to and, although he is never labelled with any disorder, it is clear that he is a very strange young man. He spends nights outside with his rabbit – Black Rabbit – talking to him. Perhaps more importantly, Black Rabbit talked back. His parents appear largely heartless and there are suggestions that they are abusive, or at least extremely neglectful of him. However, painted by Pete’s vision of him, Raymond appears childish and in need of protection. This is important when he comes under suspicion later in the novel as the reader is forced to try to evaluate the true nature of a character that they have only really seen from one perspective.
The other teens all pay crucial roles, but are less important to Pete, at least initially. Nicole and her twin brother Eric were once good friends of Pete’s, though he struggles now to remember why, and doesn’t seem to like Eric at all. This is also true of Pauly Gilpin, who comes across as potentially one of the saddest characters in the story. Brooks convincingly shows how friends who have drifted apart might struggle to reconnect. Pauly appears to be friends with Wes Campbell, the local bully who controls the Greenwell estate kids. Each character is convincingly drawn and their interactions gradually reveal the mystery of That Night.
Other characters are also important to the story, such as the fortune teller who insists that Raymond should go home, adding a slightly mystical feel to the novel. Again, additional characters are well realised and (apart from the ‘man with a moustache – who may be simply a hallucination – ) are vital to the plot.
"Atmosphere/setting"
Where Brooks excels is in creating a humid, fearful, tense atmosphere. His vivid descriptions create the summer of the story as a vivid backdrop, and when the Greenwell kids approach Pete they are described in a manner that makes them appear to be deadly threatening foes.
The geography of the estate is important to the novel, but it is revealing that there is no map included in the book. Unlike so many authors, Brooks feels no need of this tool; his setting is clearly mapped out by Pete’s descriptions as he sets up the story and, later, as he moves between each area.
The descriptions of the fairground and events afterwards often take on a surreal, hallucination-type quality as the characters were drunk, stoned and drugged. However, this quality in the novel is never clearly reduced to the effect of narcotics and the fortune teller’s apparent premonition adds to a slightly magical atmosphere which I think is enhanced by certain unresolved features at the close of the novel. This helps to make the novel compelling: will it transpire that mystical forces were at work?
"Conclusion"
Personally, I did not actually enjoy reading most of this book. I felt it reminded me of ‘Skins’, a TV drama that I choose not to watch. The characters seem stereotypically teenage: involved in drugs, drink and dope while indulging in casual sex.
However, I do think that it is likely to be a compelling read for most, provided they are aware of the content and do not demand a neatly resolved ending.
Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing (Nominee — 2009)
Angus Book Award (Shortlist — 2010)
CCBC Choices (2009)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Teens (Fiction — 2008)
Call number
YA A Bro