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jcrawford728's review against another edition
3.0
Originally posted in Teacher's Choice
I came across this title as I was clicking through NetGalley. The cover had me immediately as I am a HUGE fan of dogs. Anyone who knows me can tell you that. The idea of the main character connected to a rescue dog pulled me in. I put in a request, got my approval, and started reading.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a pretty quick read. It is clear that JD did not stay with his aunt and I felt like his friends, wanting to know how he really spent his summer. JD did not seem like a “bad boy” at all, so I really wondered what he could have done. I also loved Johnny Rotten as a character in the book. He went through quite a bit – being chained and beat – before JD’s mom rescued him from the shelter. I really liked watching Johnny and JD’s relationship blossom as they learned to trust each other and JD learned there was more to Johnny than his tough outside. I feared for Johnny’s fate after one of JD’s friends, Mars, claimed Johnny bit him unprovoked and his family sues JD and his mom. As JD fights for his dog, we see the many sides of JD as he learns to come to terms with his past and his present.
One thing I really liked about this book is how it hit on the issue of stereotypes against “bully breeds.” Johnny is a Rottweiler, one of the most misunderstood of dog breeds, probably after Pit Bulls. Being a proud Pit Bull owner and lover of all dogs, I appreciate how Northrop addresses this issue as JD fights for Johnny. Many dogs have a lot stacked against them just because of the misconceptions that are out there. Johnny had some growing to do in order to trust people, especially males. But at his heart, he was a sweet dog that was just looking for companionship. I’m glad to see a book for teens that brings this up for teens to think about.
This is an enjoyable book and one I look forward to adding to my classroom. I can see reluctant drawn to this and enjoying it. Overall – 3/5 stars.
I came across this title as I was clicking through NetGalley. The cover had me immediately as I am a HUGE fan of dogs. Anyone who knows me can tell you that. The idea of the main character connected to a rescue dog pulled me in. I put in a request, got my approval, and started reading.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a pretty quick read. It is clear that JD did not stay with his aunt and I felt like his friends, wanting to know how he really spent his summer. JD did not seem like a “bad boy” at all, so I really wondered what he could have done. I also loved Johnny Rotten as a character in the book. He went through quite a bit – being chained and beat – before JD’s mom rescued him from the shelter. I really liked watching Johnny and JD’s relationship blossom as they learned to trust each other and JD learned there was more to Johnny than his tough outside. I feared for Johnny’s fate after one of JD’s friends, Mars, claimed Johnny bit him unprovoked and his family sues JD and his mom. As JD fights for his dog, we see the many sides of JD as he learns to come to terms with his past and his present.
One thing I really liked about this book is how it hit on the issue of stereotypes against “bully breeds.” Johnny is a Rottweiler, one of the most misunderstood of dog breeds, probably after Pit Bulls. Being a proud Pit Bull owner and lover of all dogs, I appreciate how Northrop addresses this issue as JD fights for Johnny. Many dogs have a lot stacked against them just because of the misconceptions that are out there. Johnny had some growing to do in order to trust people, especially males. But at his heart, he was a sweet dog that was just looking for companionship. I’m glad to see a book for teens that brings this up for teens to think about.
This is an enjoyable book and one I look forward to adding to my classroom. I can see reluctant drawn to this and enjoying it. Overall – 3/5 stars.
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
5.0
Book #24 Read in 2014
Rotten by Michael Northrop (YA)
Rotten (otherwise known as Johnny Rotten or JR) is a rescued Rottweiler. JD is a teen who can be said in need of rescuing himself after spending the summer in juvie. The dog and boy hit it off after a rocky start and JD realizes how attached he has become to the dog when JR bites one of JD's friends and that family decides to sue for medical pills and pain and suffering, effectively putting a death sentence on the dog. JR is desperate to save his dog...will he be able to?
This book was a good, quick read. JD is an interesting character; he is not just your typical troubled teen. JR is a dog who has personality. There is the engaging plot of trying to save JR along with humor and romance between JD and his ex-girlfriend Janie.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Rotten by Michael Northrop (YA)
Rotten (otherwise known as Johnny Rotten or JR) is a rescued Rottweiler. JD is a teen who can be said in need of rescuing himself after spending the summer in juvie. The dog and boy hit it off after a rocky start and JD realizes how attached he has become to the dog when JR bites one of JD's friends and that family decides to sue for medical pills and pain and suffering, effectively putting a death sentence on the dog. JR is desperate to save his dog...will he be able to?
This book was a good, quick read. JD is an interesting character; he is not just your typical troubled teen. JR is a dog who has personality. There is the engaging plot of trying to save JR along with humor and romance between JD and his ex-girlfriend Janie.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
eowyns_helmet's review against another edition
4.0
Johnny Rotten the Rottweiler -- what's not to love? Well-done boy-meets-slobbery-dog tale. The book nicely shows how a pet can help a child going through difficult times.
melissapalmer404's review against another edition
5.0
Book #24 Read in 2014
Rotten by Michael Northrop (YA)
Rotten (otherwise known as Johnny Rotten or JR) is a rescued Rottweiler. JD is a teen who can be said in need of rescuing himself after spending the summer in juvie. The dog and boy hit it off after a rocky start and JD realizes how attached he has become to the dog when JR bites one of JD's friends and that family decides to sue for medical pills and pain and suffering, effectively putting a death sentence on the dog. JR is desperate to save his dog...will he be able to?
This book was a good, quick read. JD is an interesting character; he is not just your typical troubled teen. JR is a dog who has personality. There is the engaging plot of trying to save JR along with humor and romance between JD and his ex-girlfriend Janie.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Rotten by Michael Northrop (YA)
Rotten (otherwise known as Johnny Rotten or JR) is a rescued Rottweiler. JD is a teen who can be said in need of rescuing himself after spending the summer in juvie. The dog and boy hit it off after a rocky start and JD realizes how attached he has become to the dog when JR bites one of JD's friends and that family decides to sue for medical pills and pain and suffering, effectively putting a death sentence on the dog. JR is desperate to save his dog...will he be able to?
This book was a good, quick read. JD is an interesting character; he is not just your typical troubled teen. JR is a dog who has personality. There is the engaging plot of trying to save JR along with humor and romance between JD and his ex-girlfriend Janie.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
blsphms's review against another edition
3.0
2.5/3 stars.
I can't fully decide where I stand with this book.
The cover captivated me the moment I laid eyes on it; I have a huge soft spot for dogs, so my mind was set that I had to read this book. "Troubled teen, with a troubled Rottweiler?" I think yes.
The novel addresses "bully breed" bias, and as someone who owns a pit-bull, it meant a lot, since I know all too well of the struggles with Breed Specific Legislation, and the prejudice against "bully breeds."
As far as YA novels go, this one has a very nice plot and it's easy to relate with JD and his feelings throughout. He's goofy, and he grows as a person from beginning to end. I really did like the story of the novel; and I feel like it had the potential to be even better in terms of execution.
I had few issues with this book, but they were enough to give me doubts on my selection.
Personally, I found that the book dragged towards the middle, and I often felt myself feeling bored. There were times I had the urge to set the book down, and count my losses.
However, I'm glad I kept reading, because it picked up towards the ending. (Betrayal followed soon after though, because once the novel picked up, the ending came by so quickly, and felt abrupt.)
All in all, it's a decent read. The first half of the book had me with serious doubts on my selection, but the ending made up for it. It covers nice topics, and the characters are easy to love.
I can't fully decide where I stand with this book.
The cover captivated me the moment I laid eyes on it; I have a huge soft spot for dogs, so my mind was set that I had to read this book. "Troubled teen, with a troubled Rottweiler?" I think yes.
The novel addresses "bully breed" bias, and as someone who owns a pit-bull, it meant a lot, since I know all too well of the struggles with Breed Specific Legislation, and the prejudice against "bully breeds."
As far as YA novels go, this one has a very nice plot and it's easy to relate with JD and his feelings throughout. He's goofy, and he grows as a person from beginning to end. I really did like the story of the novel; and I feel like it had the potential to be even better in terms of execution.
I had few issues with this book, but they were enough to give me doubts on my selection.
Personally, I found that the book dragged towards the middle, and I often felt myself feeling bored. There were times I had the urge to set the book down, and count my losses.
However, I'm glad I kept reading, because it picked up towards the ending. (Betrayal followed soon after though, because once the novel picked up, the ending came by so quickly, and felt abrupt.)
All in all, it's a decent read. The first half of the book had me with serious doubts on my selection, but the ending made up for it. It covers nice topics, and the characters are easy to love.
stephee's review against another edition
3.0
Nailed those teenage relationships that are always on the brink of rivalry. And I'm a sucker for a dog story...especially an underdog.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
3.0
You know how in YA there are 16-year-old boys and they have really mature voices and really deep story lines? A lot of times they're really good and they are so spot on. But other times you start to wonder what about those 16-year-old boys in the world who are kind of goofy and do really dumb things and yet are lovable and likable despite that?
Rotten is about the somewhat immature but really likable 16-year-old boy who is just kinda goofy.
When Jimmer Dobbs -- JD -- returns home from a "summer at his aunt's house," he discovers that his mom has a new roommate. No, it's not another person. It's a giant and intimidating dog. JD is skeptical and not into the idea, but once he names the dog -- Johnny Rotten or JR for short -- suddenly the dog feels a lot more like his dog. JR damn well becomes a friend, especially as the guys that JD hangs out with become more and more suspicious of his story about spending the summer at his aunt's house.
There is, of course, more to the story. But it doesn't pop up until an incident with JR and one of JD's friends. An incident which puts the fate of JR into the hands of someone else. Suddenly, JD wants nothing more than to prove how innocent and misunderstood JR is.
What I love about Northrop's writing is that it's humorous. Yes, there are some real issues at the heart of the story, but none of them are so supremely serious that JD cannot be funny. And he has some brilliant one-liners in the story that are so 16-year-old dorky boy it's impossible not to laugh out loud. They're not cheap shots, either. It's in a true-to-teen voice that's observant as much as it's spur-of-the-moment.
JR and JD have so much in common, especially as it comes to the things that brought them together. What happened for JR to end up "at his aunt's house" mirrors in many ways what causes JR to end up as a new family member. The severity is different, but they parallel one another such that they understand each other.
Pass this off to readers looking for a story about friendship and about relationships, especially of the human-animal kind. Because I know the question on a lot of people's minds will be "what happens to the dog?," you should know in advance that
Longer review to come.
Rotten is about the somewhat immature but really likable 16-year-old boy who is just kinda goofy.
When Jimmer Dobbs -- JD -- returns home from a "summer at his aunt's house," he discovers that his mom has a new roommate. No, it's not another person. It's a giant and intimidating dog. JD is skeptical and not into the idea, but once he names the dog -- Johnny Rotten or JR for short -- suddenly the dog feels a lot more like his dog. JR damn well becomes a friend, especially as the guys that JD hangs out with become more and more suspicious of his story about spending the summer at his aunt's house.
There is, of course, more to the story. But it doesn't pop up until an incident with JR and one of JD's friends. An incident which puts the fate of JR into the hands of someone else. Suddenly, JD wants nothing more than to prove how innocent and misunderstood JR is.
What I love about Northrop's writing is that it's humorous. Yes, there are some real issues at the heart of the story, but none of them are so supremely serious that JD cannot be funny. And he has some brilliant one-liners in the story that are so 16-year-old dorky boy it's impossible not to laugh out loud. They're not cheap shots, either. It's in a true-to-teen voice that's observant as much as it's spur-of-the-moment.
JR and JD have so much in common, especially as it comes to the things that brought them together. What happened for JR to end up "at his aunt's house" mirrors in many ways what causes JR to end up as a new family member. The severity is different, but they parallel one another such that they understand each other.
Pass this off to readers looking for a story about friendship and about relationships, especially of the human-animal kind. Because I know the question on a lot of people's minds will be "what happens to the dog?," you should know in advance that
Spoiler
the dog doesn't die. And for that I applaud Northrop because there is absolutely no emotional manipulation toward the reader.Longer review to come.
thehodgenator's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. I absolutely loved it.
Why?
Because I love a story about a boy and his dog. I love a story about a boy, his dog, and fighting for its right to live.
That is what Northrop delivers in this novel.
I knew from the moment JD returned from “upstate” and met the dog that this was going to be a symbolic story of redemption, for both of them.
And it was.
The author has paced the plot of this novel nicely, introducing JD as he is returning from “upstate,” which leaves readers with questions on what he was really doing during his summer vacation. Let me just say that JD won’t be writing about his activities in his English essay.
Read the rest of my review here.
Why?
Because I love a story about a boy and his dog. I love a story about a boy, his dog, and fighting for its right to live.
That is what Northrop delivers in this novel.
I knew from the moment JD returned from “upstate” and met the dog that this was going to be a symbolic story of redemption, for both of them.
And it was.
The author has paced the plot of this novel nicely, introducing JD as he is returning from “upstate,” which leaves readers with questions on what he was really doing during his summer vacation. Let me just say that JD won’t be writing about his activities in his English essay.
Read the rest of my review here.
eviebookish's review against another edition
5.0
Emotionally affecting and thematically poignant, Rotten is a great, deliciously readable story. Despite the serious (often heartbreaking) subject matter, the overall tone of the book is light and easy to digest. Meaningful, but not heavy. This heartfelt and insightful tale teaches us about the importance of love, trust and friendship (whether it's between two people or a man and man's best friend), and that everyone deserves a second chance. A really heart-warming, deep and honest story, capable of being both funny and moving. Books like this one get my tail wagging!
JR isn't even technically my dog. He's half my dog, and it wasn't that long ago that he felt like even less than that. But now that he's in trouble? Now that he gets taken away first thing in the morning and I don't even know if he's coming back? Now he feels like my dog. Because I know what that feels like. He's had it tough, and he didn't even mean it anyway, and no one really has a clue about him. So, yeah. Sounds like my dog to me.
When JD comes home after spending his summer "upstate" supposedly visiting his aunt, he finds a surprise waiting for him. A black, furry surprise with a sweet tooth for biscuits. JR (Johnny Rotten, like the lead singer of the Sex Pistols) is a big and dangerous-looking Rottweiler who is afraid of his own shadow. He's a rescue dog with abuse-filled past. JD's mom adopted him while JD was away. Of course, not one of JD's friends knows where he really spent his summer, though they all seem to agree on one thing: it wasn't with his aunt. When JR gets in trouble for biting one of JD's friends, the secret that JD is so determined to protect is about to be unveiled. JD might lose a whole lot more than just his face, though. He might lose his new-found friend.
Rotten is both very entertaining and thought-provoking. I especially loved the conversational tone of the narrative and the sparkly dialogues. The back and forth between JD and his friends is strikingly realistic and delightfully hilarious. I thought Michael Northrop did a fantastic job portraying teenage interactions! They're quirky, laugh-out-loud funny and painfully honest. I loved all the jokes and punch lines, and thought the dynamics of their relationships were very believable. The characters felt real, and that's what made this book shine in my eyes.
I really liked the lead character, JD. He is pretty much a regular guy, with a regular personality, but there was something about him that really made it easy for me to warm up to him. He's suspicious by nature, he doesn't trust easily and he often has a hard time opening to people. In that sense, he's a lot like JR, and that's probably why they connected so well. At the same time, he's very loyal and protective of both his mom and JR, which really made me love him a lot! He's been through some rough times himself, and so he understands and feels for JR. And he's determined to create a good, warm and loving home for him. He's definitely a good kid and a great protagonist!
Rotten is a book that really speaks to your heart. In my opinion, it's a story that can be enjoyed by both girls and boys, teens and adults alike. Animal lovers and realistic fiction fans will definitely love this one! I highly recommend it!
___
Review also posted at:
JR isn't even technically my dog. He's half my dog, and it wasn't that long ago that he felt like even less than that. But now that he's in trouble? Now that he gets taken away first thing in the morning and I don't even know if he's coming back? Now he feels like my dog. Because I know what that feels like. He's had it tough, and he didn't even mean it anyway, and no one really has a clue about him. So, yeah. Sounds like my dog to me.
When JD comes home after spending his summer "upstate" supposedly visiting his aunt, he finds a surprise waiting for him. A black, furry surprise with a sweet tooth for biscuits. JR (Johnny Rotten, like the lead singer of the Sex Pistols) is a big and dangerous-looking Rottweiler who is afraid of his own shadow. He's a rescue dog with abuse-filled past. JD's mom adopted him while JD was away. Of course, not one of JD's friends knows where he really spent his summer, though they all seem to agree on one thing: it wasn't with his aunt. When JR gets in trouble for biting one of JD's friends, the secret that JD is so determined to protect is about to be unveiled. JD might lose a whole lot more than just his face, though. He might lose his new-found friend.
Rotten is both very entertaining and thought-provoking. I especially loved the conversational tone of the narrative and the sparkly dialogues. The back and forth between JD and his friends is strikingly realistic and delightfully hilarious. I thought Michael Northrop did a fantastic job portraying teenage interactions! They're quirky, laugh-out-loud funny and painfully honest. I loved all the jokes and punch lines, and thought the dynamics of their relationships were very believable. The characters felt real, and that's what made this book shine in my eyes.
I really liked the lead character, JD. He is pretty much a regular guy, with a regular personality, but there was something about him that really made it easy for me to warm up to him. He's suspicious by nature, he doesn't trust easily and he often has a hard time opening to people. In that sense, he's a lot like JR, and that's probably why they connected so well. At the same time, he's very loyal and protective of both his mom and JR, which really made me love him a lot! He's been through some rough times himself, and so he understands and feels for JR. And he's determined to create a good, warm and loving home for him. He's definitely a good kid and a great protagonist!
Rotten is a book that really speaks to your heart. In my opinion, it's a story that can be enjoyed by both girls and boys, teens and adults alike. Animal lovers and realistic fiction fans will definitely love this one! I highly recommend it!
___
Review also posted at:
b10tch's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5