Ok, so this is the third (I think) novel of Laurie Halse Anderson’s that I have read and it has by far been my favorite. I literally read the entire novel last night while I was in the midst of a family emergency. It proved to be the distraction that I needed and was captivating enough to keep anyone’s attention!
I LOVED the main character, Tyler Miller! He was so real… so flawed and self-conscious-but yet so mature in the ways that he handles the adults in his life. I knew so many awkward guys in High School that I think could have related to Ty- and I’m sorry but the way that she handled his perpetual boners were hilarious and added to his constant embarassment. I don’t want to give anything away because everyone should definately read this book- it is so well written! Joyce and I were discussing how sometimes you look at the flap at the author’s pictures and wonder how they created such a character- so different from their own personal experiences. Additionally, I think this is a good example, along with Endgame, how everyone has their limit of bullshit that they can take from others until they snap (Ty literally hears it, and I think Gray might also? Interesting..) it seems that the level of support they have determines what they do with that anger.
Read it. Thanks to Karen for letting me borrow it! I will bring back it tomorrow if anyone is interested in it.
Kari
Young Adult Lit/Crit 
So glad another person has read this book! It’s such a great one! I recommend that anyone who has not read it should read it immediately. Don’t you agree, Kari?
The AVID class that I am observing read this book earlier in the year, and they all liked it. It’s a great book about labels, how they can be oppressing, and finding strength within ourselves. Kari, did you find the father to be realisic? I thought he must have been a very difficult characher to create, because his cruelty is so subtle. At the same time, I think it is a form of cruelty and abuse to which many adolescents can relate.
I look forward to discussing this book further in class on Thursday!
Comment by allison — April 9, 2008 @ 9:43 am
I read TWISTED as well and I loved it. It is definietly one of my favorite books by L.H. Anderson. Doesn’t she do a great job writing from a male perspective? I was pleasantly surprised.
-Mandy
Comment by mandygrl101 — April 9, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
One of my students is reading “Speak” right now. How do you think “Twisted” compares?
Jonathan
Comment by scrollman — April 9, 2008 @ 12:29 pm
Kari,
While I was observing today up in Syracuse (an 8th grade class @ Grant Middle School), I noticed a girl reading TWISTED. She was only about 40 pages in, yet she already found it as a very interesting, exciting, relevant story. The first thought that came to mind was, “Wow, this must be an incredible book, because she was willing to give it a try despite the length of it!” The classes I observe at Grant are composed of students who have little to no support or encouragement at home to read and are typically resistant readers. This young lady does not get all her work done/in on time, but she picked up a book on her own and was determined to complete it. What a compliment to the author of TWISTED (Laurie Halse Anderson)!
-Jessica
Comment by jexter1 — April 9, 2008 @ 3:16 pm