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Searching... Avon-Washington Township Public Library | Teen Fiction Book Hardback | 120791002395320 | T SHU | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
When a junior high school boy and his friends decide to form a club of "second bests" and play anonymous tricks on each other's arch rivals, the harmless pranks escalate until they become life-threatening, in a compelling story of revenge that is republished to coincide with the sequel, The Shadow Club Rising. Simultaneous.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 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. 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. 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. This is strong material, and sections of the book have a punch that matches the subject. The dialogue of the teens, their concerns, and especially their feelings, are on target. Unfortunately, most of the book lacks suspense. 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. 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. David Gale, ``School Library Journal'' (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
This engrossing book portrays how easily even ``good'' kids can lose control of themselves and do cruel and horrible things. 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. Revenge tastes very sweet when they play humiliating practical jokes on all the school's first-bests, including track star Austin, Jared's nemesis. Any qualms that Jared has about the club get tossed aside when he's acknowledged as president. And, though he calls a temporary halt to the pranks, someone starts playing really dangerous tricks. Events come to a head when Austin is seriously injured. Sure that school weirdo Tyson is the culprit, the Shadow Club captures him. Jared leads the others in beating him up, then almost causes the boy's death. In the thrilling denouement, Jared learns where the blame really lies. Shusterman vividly conveys the overwhelming qualities of violent emotions and chillingly shows how a group of ``nice'' people can become an ugly, vengeful mob. Ages 12-up. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Strong storytelling distinguishes this tale of a junior high clique of second-besters finding first community in their situation and eventually revenge on their betters. The moral themes are as compelling as the suspenseful plot. From HORN BOOK Fall 2002, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A series of practical jokes takes an ugly turn and nearly ends in tragedy--in a contrived but scary first novel. Jared can't beat classmate Austin in a race, which might be tolerable if Austin didn't gloat; and Cheryl's cousin Rebecca outshines her wherever she excels. Tired of feeling second best, the two recruit five similarly oppressed teen-agers, and all together they plot revenge. Since ""not a single kid in the Shadow Club has ever done anything bad and there wasn't a single delinquent in the bunch,"" no one suspects them. Initially, the practical jokes are mild--a snake in a lunch box, photocopies of diary pages made public--and the club members are beside themselves with glee. Then a more destructive round of pranks--not planned by the club--begins: an aquarium blows up, bicycle brakes are sabotaged, and Austin is badly injured. Sure that they are being framed, Jared suspects Tyson McGaw, a troubled loner. In irrational fear, club members beat and humiliate McGaw to force a confession--and then discover, to their horror, that they are themselves the culprits, each acting secretly. Here the plot takes a morally convenient turn: when Jared rushes to apologize, he finds McGaw attempting a fiery suicide, and effects a dramatic rescue; they become friends, though Jared is motivated mostly by guilt and pity. When the true story comes out, the repentant club members have plenty of music to face. Every reader who has felt resentment will identify with these young people, their anger, and their terror. The conclusion may be implausible, but the story as a whole is powerful and disturbing. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Gr. 6-8. Jared Mercer relates a chilling story of how he and six other friends form a club aimed at punishing their hated rivals--with devastating results.