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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I've read books like it before. It definitely wasn't as "suspenseful" as the cover made it sound, and I found the ending annoying for some reason.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Perfect for a YA audience. I had always meant to read this when I taught middle school, but never got around to it.
I enjoyed it, but would definitely have enjoyed it more if I'd read it as a middle school student.
I enjoyed it, but would definitely have enjoyed it more if I'd read it as a middle school student.
I think this one probably deserves 4.5 stars out of the 5, but it really was a very enjoyable read.
The book flows very well. I sat down to read this and blew through it in one sitting.
The voice of the main character, Chance, is very well developed from the get-go and you immediately understand his motivation for making the choices that he'd made. From an outside perspective, I don't think he's a very likeable person - he's secretive, introverted, and snaps at the only friend he has. That being said, when you're in his shoes, you completely understand his situation and why he wouldn't want to be so open with people. He's a depressed 17 year old with a drunk for a father and an absent mother. School holds no value to him and his only friend is white and rich and privileged beyond belief. With all that he's faced in his short life, I think it's impossible not to sympathize with Chance as a character.
I didn't really have any large complaints about this book, aside from perhaps minor things about the story that struck me as odd, but nothing glaringly inaccurate. The world of the book is apathetic in general, which is why I would have docked half a star. There's nothing happy about this book. If you're looking for a pick-me-up, this is not a book you want to read. This is a somewhat realistic book about a high schooler struggling to pay the bills for his family and figuring out what he wants to do with his life. And he does, but the process of getting there is fraught with perils.
The book flows very well. I sat down to read this and blew through it in one sitting.
The voice of the main character, Chance, is very well developed from the get-go and you immediately understand his motivation for making the choices that he'd made. From an outside perspective, I don't think he's a very likeable person - he's secretive, introverted, and snaps at the only friend he has. That being said, when you're in his shoes, you completely understand his situation and why he wouldn't want to be so open with people. He's a depressed 17 year old with a drunk for a father and an absent mother. School holds no value to him and his only friend is white and rich and privileged beyond belief. With all that he's faced in his short life, I think it's impossible not to sympathize with Chance as a character.
I didn't really have any large complaints about this book, aside from perhaps minor things about the story that struck me as odd, but nothing glaringly inaccurate. The world of the book is apathetic in general, which is why I would have docked half a star. There's nothing happy about this book. If you're looking for a pick-me-up, this is not a book you want to read. This is a somewhat realistic book about a high schooler struggling to pay the bills for his family and figuring out what he wants to do with his life. And he does, but the process of getting there is fraught with perils.
Such a fantastic read. Perfect for your kid who likes action/adventure. No one decides they want to commit crimes. It just - happens. So when you live with your dad who has no money and your job is cut in hours, what do you do when bills are due and you'll be out on the street if the rent isn't paid?
Chance decides that running a backpack on errands for a whole lot of money may not be so bad. After all, he doesn't know what he's picking up and delivering. But when the obvious becomes known, should he give it up?
Recommend for grades 7 and up.
Chance decides that running a backpack on errands for a whole lot of money may not be so bad. After all, he doesn't know what he's picking up and delivering. But when the obvious becomes known, should he give it up?
Recommend for grades 7 and up.
Not a lot of YA books could be described as suspense-thrillers, but this one can. Chance and his father are just a few months away from being homeless, even though 'home' is a run-down sailboat that never leaves the dock in Puget Sound. Chance describes himself as 'one of the ghost-walkers in school,' mainly because he's so weighed down by personal cares. His mother abandoned him and his father, his father can't keep a job, or stay sober. Chance is bright and ambitious; he has such potential, but he feels trapped by everything in his life. Running is his salvation...he used to run for the school's cross country team but he had to give that up because of the expenses. But running brings him to the attention of a shady guy who wants Chance to pick up a package every week that's left in a tree on his route. The money is too good to pass up, even though Chance KNOWS he's getting involved in smuggling.
Interesting discussions of the war on terror, on joining the armed forces, on the nature of heroism. So much more than I imagined. Chance just wants a chance...but in so many ways he's a prisoner in his own school, his own home.
Interesting discussions of the war on terror, on joining the armed forces, on the nature of heroism. So much more than I imagined. Chance just wants a chance...but in so many ways he's a prisoner in his own school, his own home.
this is that one book that's always somehow stuck in my mind for literally no real reason and constantly makes me want to reread it
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Deuker is a local author and I think my favorite part of this book is that the whole thing is set pretty much right in my neighborhood!
Chance and his dad lives on a sailboat but dad is an alcoholic and has a difficult time holding down a job. When Chance is offered the opportunity to make some easy money by picking up and delivering packages on his daily runs, he decides this might be a way that he can contribute to the household and help pay the moorage fees.
Chance and his dad lives on a sailboat but dad is an alcoholic and has a difficult time holding down a job. When Chance is offered the opportunity to make some easy money by picking up and delivering packages on his daily runs, he decides this might be a way that he can contribute to the household and help pay the moorage fees.