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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I don't know how I feel about this. I like the message that was portrayed at the end of the book, but I feel like other than Tennyson, none of the characters were really fleshed out. I loved the distinct differences in each of the character's chapters, but I could never connect to one character. I also wished that there was more detail to Brewer's 'abilities'.
3.5 stars for the story. An extra half a star for the excellent voice acting on the audiobook.
I read this book with my middle schoolers and we all enjoyed it. Unwind (also by Shusterman) is another good book for the middle school level, but I think it relies more on action and the shock/gross factor than does Bruiser. Bruiser is action-packed as well, but a bit more emotionally complex.
I love that each chapter is titled with a "power word" (vocabulary quizzes and related assignments!) and that the narrative shifts around and allows each main character a voice--a nice way for the class to discuss POV, but also broader themes such as perception, the consequences of judgment, and the necessity of compassion/empathy.
I love that each chapter is titled with a "power word" (vocabulary quizzes and related assignments!) and that the narrative shifts around and allows each main character a voice--a nice way for the class to discuss POV, but also broader themes such as perception, the consequences of judgment, and the necessity of compassion/empathy.
I liked this book, but there was something off, I don't know what it was. Cody is really cute and funny though!
Bronte starts dating the school loser, Brewster the Bruiser. Big, monosyllabic, and raised by a hard-drinking uncle, Brewster has no friends but an incredible memory for poetry. Soon, first Bronte and then her twin Tennyson are caught up in Brewster's strange and dysfunctional family life.
The problem is,Brewster takes on the pain of anyone he cares about. And not just the pain--the actual injuries themselves, and any negative emotions. He's become a sort of living painkiller for his uncle and brother, who try to keep him with them at all times. Eventually Bronte and Tennyson manage to get him to live with them, but even this is not a perfect solution--because without even trying to, Brewster takes in their pain and injuries as well. His growing circle of friends is slowly killing him, even as the peace he brings makes them addicted to him and increasingly unstable when he's gone. A haunting take on what would ordinarily seem like a wonderful gift. Brewster's chapters are written in various poetry forms (Beat, stanzas, etc), which sometimes works better than other times.
The problem is,
I think the concept of this book was good and the layout with all the people POV. However, I didn't like the way some topics were skipped over with no in-depth explantation. I just felt unsatisfied when I finish.
This was a fast read. There were parts that were absolutely gut-wrenching, and just hit me in all of the feels. I don't want to really give anything away, but the concept was incredibly interesting behind Brewster's character!
Read half of this book a month ago, took a break to read a couple of others, and finished it in the last two days. Really cool story of a teenager who takes on the physical and emotional pain of the people he cares about. Told in multiple perspectives and combination of prose and poetry. Definitely would recommend to my students.