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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Brewster Rollins is different from his peers. His clothes are well-worn and too small. He is huge and stays to himself, earning him the title of "Most likely to get the death penalty" and giving him the cruel nickname "the Bruiser".
Bronte is in Brewster's class, but she's never really talked to him until he comes into the library to find poetry while she is volunteering. Her twin brother, Tennyson, is furious when he learns that Brewster and Bronte are dating. Tennyson decides to do some research and make Bronte see how evil her new boyfriend is. Tennyson quickly learns that sometimes, people surprise you; they're nothing like your expectations. He follows Brewster home only to see that he's kind to his 8 year old brother, Cody, and he works hard to keep the family's house in order. Worse, Brewster and Cody live with their alcoholic, abusive Uncle Hoyt. As Tennyson befriends Brewster, Bronte falls in love with him.
Tennyson is the first to discover Bruiser's secret: it is the real reason he is a loner. Brewster takes physical and emotional pain from the people he cares about. He can't help it. It's always been this way. But how much pain can one teenager take?
Bronte is in Brewster's class, but she's never really talked to him until he comes into the library to find poetry while she is volunteering. Her twin brother, Tennyson, is furious when he learns that Brewster and Bronte are dating. Tennyson decides to do some research and make Bronte see how evil her new boyfriend is. Tennyson quickly learns that sometimes, people surprise you; they're nothing like your expectations. He follows Brewster home only to see that he's kind to his 8 year old brother, Cody, and he works hard to keep the family's house in order. Worse, Brewster and Cody live with their alcoholic, abusive Uncle Hoyt. As Tennyson befriends Brewster, Bronte falls in love with him.
Tennyson is the first to discover Bruiser's secret: it is the real reason he is a loner. Brewster takes physical and emotional pain from the people he cares about. He can't help it. It's always been this way. But how much pain can one teenager take?
Bruiser is a freak. He's the opposite of popular. His clothes don't fit, he doesn't seem clean and he's always got cuts and scrapes. So when Tennyson's twin sister Bronte starts dating him, he is not happy about it.
But then they get to know Brewster, the actual human being. Brewster has a strange home life and something is definitely different about him. It's hard to put your finger on it, but hanging out with Brewster, it's like all of your pain disappears.
I sometimes think that some of the teen books I read are scarier for me than the intended audience, because I know how easily kids can get hurt. I was really nervous about how this book would end. But I liked it!
But then they get to know Brewster, the actual human being. Brewster has a strange home life and something is definitely different about him. It's hard to put your finger on it, but hanging out with Brewster, it's like all of your pain disappears.
I sometimes think that some of the teen books I read are scarier for me than the intended audience, because I know how easily kids can get hurt. I was really nervous about how this book would end. But I liked it!
I didn't really like this book that much. It's been so long since I've read it that I can't pin point the reasons for me not liking it.
i went into this blind, definitely not expecting the supernatural element and wasn’t even sure if i would enjoy it once it was revealed. this ended up being beautiful enough to be one of my favorites i’ve read this year and painful enough to have to take a break mid-read.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Another interesting story by schusterman. I liked getting the story from 4 different perspectives. I liked also that it had no swearing so my 8th and 7th graders can read it and parents won't hate me!