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reader4evr's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this! It reminded me of a dark version of the book Holes.
It was face-paced and exciting. Although some parts were predictable but I liked how the author intertwined different literature from the past into the story.
The cliffhanger at the end killed me! I wonder if there will be a follow up to this book.
Kids will really enjoy this especially those reluctant boys!
It was face-paced and exciting. Although some parts were predictable but I liked how the author intertwined different literature from the past into the story.
The cliffhanger at the end killed me! I wonder if there will be a follow up to this book.
Kids will really enjoy this especially those reluctant boys!
suzyvee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Bullying, and Violence
araskov's review against another edition
4.0
My oldest asked me to read this and described it to me in a way that reminded me a lot of Holes, which in some ways is true. It also reminded me of Lord of the Flies.
Collin was my absolute favorite character. Clever, kind, and resourceful, he navigates every hurdle with perseverance.
Jonathan, our main character, grows tremendously as a person and is able to admit things to himself that he couldn't in the beginning.
Loveable characters, as well as characters you will love to hate. I enjoyed this story highly and would recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed any books like Holes.
Collin was my absolute favorite character. Clever, kind, and resourceful, he navigates every hurdle with perseverance.
Jonathan, our main character, grows tremendously as a person and is able to admit things to himself that he couldn't in the beginning.
Loveable characters, as well as characters you will love to hate. I enjoyed this story highly and would recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed any books like Holes.
tbwhite23's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jordanimals's review
3.0
I can appreciate that this is a good book but don't love it... I am glad I read it so I can recommend it to readers who would enjoy this :) It's about a boy that gets shipped off to a reformatory school on an island. Think Alcatraz. It's basically about power and leadership and how it can create mob mentality and go to your heads. It's action packed and a sort of thriller that goes really quickly while still giving a lot of deep topics to think about.
Not super realistic, but the authors leans into it.
Not super realistic, but the authors leans into it.
abby_hammond's review
4.0
My students and I LOVED this read aloud. I had kids begging me not to stop right from the start. We had so many discussions around right vs. wrong, guilt, and character. We had many debates thanks to the many characters and their traits. Definitely a read aloud for 4th grade as it covers some heavier topics that need discussion throughout, but engaging up through middle school. As a bonus, I found so many sentences that I could use as mentor sentences for writing with my students. Well written!
adrzeck's review
3.0
Holes meets Lord of the Flys but with no death of the young ones. Really enjoyable mains and no one is seriously evil, but power certainly does corrupt here. Good choice for those in-between juvenile and Teen.
alysha_reads_mi's review against another edition
Possibly will pick up again later. Just having a really hard time with this one.