The Juvie Three- Gordon Korman
Korman continues to impress with his most recent offerings. A renowned writer from a very young age with the successful Bruno and Boots series (fondly remembered by my son-in-law), he continues to produce excellent novels. His language in The Juvie Three is terse and polished. I don’t believe I missed a word and I sometimes tend to be a skimmer. Douglas Healy wants to help juvenile delinquents, having been one himself. His choice of characters: Gecko, on the hook for stealing a car and abetting in his older brother’s theft; Arjay, a big, gentle giant who has been convicted of murder while acting in self-defence, and Terence, who really is in jail for crime committed, but is really just a lost kid looking for a place to belong, is masterful. The interaction of these characters is crucial to the unfolding story. Several weeks into their time at the half-way house with Healy, a tussle results with Healy taking a fall and sustaining a concussion. Terrified, the boys drop him at an emergency unit and hope things might yet turn out all right. But Healy has suffered amnesia and doesn’t even remember his own name. never mind the boys who are in his care. Transferred to a mental hospital until he regains his memory, the boys, who have been on their very best behaviour, plan to break him out. The rest is left for you to enjoy!
This novel would appeal to male and female readers and would be suitable for a Young Adult section as well as high school. Highly recommended, as are Schooled and Born to Rock, other recent offerings.
High School, Realistic Fiction, Snow Willow, YA | Comments (2)2 Responses to “The Juvie Three- Gordon Korman”
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This book sounds amazing. It sonds like the authors intentions are heartfelt.
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://www.tonypeters.webs.com
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/KidsonaCase.html
I’m always amazed with the ideas Korman comes up with! Now I’ll have to read this one! I too enjoyed “Born to Rock” and have recently read “Swindled” which is for readers a bit younger. He goes back to his humor roots with it.