Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Bibliography

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2007. Twisted. New York: Viking Juvenile. ISBN 0670061018.

Summary

High school senior Tyler Miller spent the summer doing community service after committing "The Foul Deed," and hard labor community service at that. The benefit is that it beefed up his muscles, so he returns to school in the fall transformed from a skinny dweeb "Nerd Boy" to a buff god. This seems to be his lucky year as the girl of his dreams, popular rich-girl Bethany Milbury, appears to take a liking to him. Things aren't as great as they seem, though. He still has a verbally abusive father--whose boss just happens to be Bethany's dad--and then something happens at a party he and Bethany attend that turns her against him. Soon after, the whole school turns against him after he is accused of a vile act he didn't commit.

Critical Analysis (or WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT--THE SCHOLARLY VERSION)

Anderson lives up to the expectation she set with her acclaimed novel Speak. Once again, she addresses difficult teen issues like fitting in, lust, academic pressure, identity, and personal integrity, this time with a male protagonist. In first-person narrative, she gives Tyler an amazingly authentic teen voice. He's witty and sometimes sarcastic, but always worth listening to. As the story unfolds and he learns that sometimes what people think is more important than reality, and that life is not always as simple as "doing the right thing," his voice darkens with his despair. In Tyler, Anderson creates a complex, dynamic character who is likeable despite his imperfections. He makes poor choices and sometimes does things for the wrong reasons, but ultimately, he overcomes his despair and matures into someone whose integrity we respect.

Anderson has a gift for getting into the teen mind and portraying adolescence in all its glory AND its raw pain.

Reviews

School Library Journal--"Once again, Anderson's taut, confident writing will cause this story to linger long after the book is set down."

Booklist--"What works well here is the frank, on-target humor ("I was a zit on the butt of the student body"), the taut pacing, and the small moments, recounted in Tyler's first-person voice, that illuminate his emotional anguish. Writing for the first time from a male perspective, Anderson skillfully explores identity and power struggles that all young people will recognize."

Publisher's Weekly--"This dark comedy gives a chillingly accurate portrayal of the high-school social scene, in which morals, perceptions and conceptions of truth are continually being challenged. Tyler may not gain hero status with his peers, but readers will respect his integrity, which outshines his mistakes."

VOYA--"Tyler faces issues that are both universal and original, from overwhelming lust and an overloaded school schedule to complex notions of manhood. The way he handles himself will have readers both cringing and cheering. This compelling novel of growth and maturity will be eagerly received by readers awaiting another story from this talented author."

WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT--THE REGULAR VERSION

This book rocks! Tyler is funny and the problems he faces are familiar. He's going through the agony of growing up, just like the rest of us. He's a dork, and wants to fit in, just like the rest of us. He has "most embarrassing moments," just like the rest of us. And he goofs up all the time, just like the rest of us. Even when he does the right thing, he gets in trouble! Yeesh! The important thing, though, is that he shows us that there is a light at the end of the tunnel if we have the right attitude. We can't control situations, but we CAN control how we respond to them. Everyone will like this book, but it's especially good for guys (since it seems like so much of the good teen lit out there is written for girls).

IF YOU LIKED THIS BOOK, YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ:

*Other books by Laurie Halse Anderson (Halse rhymes with "waltz.")

SPEAK. When Melinda Sordino's friends discover she called the police to quiet a party, they ostracize her, turning her into an outcast -- even among kids she barely knows. But even worse than the harsh conformity of high-school cliques is a secret that you have to hide.

CATALYST. Eighteen-year-old Kate, who sometimes chafes at being a preacher's daughter, finds herself losing control in her senior year as she faces difficult neighbors, the possibility that she may not be accepted by the college of her choice, and an unexpected death.

*Other good books for guys:

Sones, Sonya. WHAT MY GIRLFRIEND DOESN'T KNOW. This is a verse novel (that means it's written in poetry), but don't let that scare you. You'll forget you're reading poetry before you've even finished the first page. Here, I'll show you. This excerpt is from the inside front cover:

My name is Robin.

This book is about me.

It tells the story of what happens

when after almost 15 pathetic years of loserdom,

the girl of my dreams finally falls for me.

That seems like it would be

a good thing, right?

Only it turns out to be

a lot more complicated than that

Because I'm not gonna lie to you --

there are naked women involved.

Four of them, to be exact.

Though not in the way you might think.

Don't get me wrong -- my girlfriend's amazing.

But the way things have been going lately,

I'm starting to believe that the only thing worse

than not getting what you want,

is getting it.

(See, I told you it's good!)

Sonnenblick, Jordan. NOTES FROM THE MIDNIGHT DRIVER. 16-year-old Alex decides to get even. His parents are separated, his father is dating his former third-grade teacher, and being 16 isn't easy, especially when it comes to girls. Instead of revenge though, Alex ends up in trouble with the law and is ordered to do community service at a senior center where he is assigned to Solomon Lewis, a "difficult" senior with a lot of gusto, advice for Alex, and a puzzling (yet colorful) Yiddish vocabulary. Eventually, the pair learn to deal with their past and each other in ways that are humorous, entertaining, and life-changing.