The father of four children, Neal lives in Southern California. He also writes screenplays for motion pictures and television shows. , the Scorpion Shards Trilogy, and the earlier books in the Unwind Dystology, Is the author of many critically acclaimed novels for young adults, including the Skinjacker Trilogy, but when the time is right and the winds begin to change, even the deadest of dreams can be resurrected. There’s no doubt about it Janson’s dream is dead . . . Sonia gets on the highway, heading for the airport, and as she does, she turns on the radio, finds a station playing classic rock from her childhood, and she sings along, ignoring the icy winds that rattle the car.
The one that gave Austin back his missing fingers-the one that Janson kept hidden in a cardboard box in his study. Smashed and melted and buried in some unmarked grave of scuttled technology.īut no one knew about the smaller prototype. The blueprints to the organ printer are gone. It can be forced underground and even rendered unconscious, but hope cannot be killed. Yes, the very organization Janson founded ultimately turned on them to destroy their lives and tried to destroy every last glimmer of hope. Satisfied, she wends her way to the entrance of the unit, pulls down the rolling door, and locks away her old life for ten, maybe twenty years.Īs she drives away, she’s surprised to find herself smiling in spite of everything. She could open up an antique shop with all the junk she’s collected! If she ever does come back to the States someday, perhaps she will. David Gale, “School Library Journal”“So much stuff,” she says aloud. This book is neither as complex nor as well written as Robert Cormier’s novels, but as its premise and tone hold interest, The Shadow Club may appeal to Cormier’s fans and those readers who are not yet ready for his books. The club members believe that an unpopular student who has eavesdropped on them is responsible for some of the more vicious pranks, but this is such an obvious red herring that the drama of the situation is lost. Unfortunately, most of the book lacks suspense. The dialogue of the teens, their concerns, and especially their feelings, are on target. This is strong material, and sections of the book have a punch that matches the subject. Shusterman’s focus is on how the actions of these teens create a power that feeds on a previously hidden cruel or evil side of their personalities. The pranks, which at first are humiliating but harmless, escalate to the point that they result in vandalism and injury and nearly cause a student’s death. Grade 8 Up A group of competitive high-school students, all second best in their areas of talent, form a secret club in order to pull anonymous practical jokes on their rivals.
Ages 12-up.Ĭopyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Shusterman vividly conveys the overwhelming qualities of violent emotions and chillingly shows how a group of “nice” people can become an ugly, vengeful mob. In the thrilling denouement, Jared learns where the blame really lies. Jared leads the others in beating him up, then almost causes the boy’s death. Sure that school weirdo Tyson is the culprit, the Shadow Club captures him. Events come to a head when Austin is seriously injured. And, though he calls a temporary halt to the pranks, someone starts playing really dangerous tricks. Any qualms that Jared has about the club get tossed aside when he’s acknowledged as president. Revenge tastes very sweet when they play humiliating practical jokes on all the school’s first-bests, including track star Austin, Jared’s nemesis. Seven junior-high-school students (all “second-bests”) led by narrator Jared and best friend Cheryl form the Shadow Club to get back at the “unbeatables” who make their lives miserable. This engrossing book portrays how easily even “good” kids can lose control of themselves and do cruel and horrible things.
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