A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie [Hardcover]

Matt Blackstone (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 5, 2011

Rene, an obsessive-compulsive fourteen year old, smells his hands and wears a Batman cape when he’s nervous. If he picks up a face-down coin, moves a muscle when the time adds up to thirteen (7:42 is bad luck because 7 + 4 + 2 = 13), or washes his body parts in the wrong order, Rene or someone close to him will break a bone, contract a deadly virus, and/or die a slow and painful death like someone in a scary scene in scary movie. Rene’s new and only friend tutors him in the art of playing it cool, but that’s not as easy as Gio makes it sound.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Blackstone shows real insight into the thoughts of a teen with obsessive-compulsive disorder.” --VOYA

 

“…Blackstone keeps things fresh with insight and wit.” --Booklist

 

"Quirky and surprisingly upbeat, it’s Rene’s voice laughing at himself and yet taking his needs seriously that will lure readers into his head and into his heart.” --SLJ

“Debut author Matt Blackstone reveals a true talent for creating quirky characters and using humor to tell the story of Rene's battle against OCD and the turmoil of his dysfunctional family.  Teen readers will easily relate to Rene's struggles and to the rest of this colorful cast of characters.” –TeensReadToo.com

“Blackstone makes a bold and idiosyncratic debut with this boisterous novel about a 14-year-old boy with obsessive-compulsive disorder.” -Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Matt Blackstone joined Teach for America after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, and presently teaches high school English in the South Bronx. He lives in New York City.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1 edition (July 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374364214
• ISBN-13: 978-0374364212
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,523,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Written from the point of view of a teen with OCD this book is fun, witty and poignant all a the same time July 9, 2011

By Crystal Fulcher VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Rene is different, he is OCD and he knows he is. He has a fascination with Batman and superheroes and stays away from all things dealing with the number 13. He knows that other kids find him strange, but he is strangely comfortable in his own skin. Except there are always those few kids that make life miserable for kids like Rene. That kid is Johnny van Slyke. But one day after meeting Gio and becoming friends with him (or as close to friends as anyone has been with Rene) Rene stands up to Johnny and then Rene's life is turned upside down and that's when Rene really learns about life, how to live and who the true superheroes are.

I loved this book. Rene is different. I have never had much dealings with people with OCD but I believe Mr. Blackstone has done his research. He does not paint Rene as a freak or anything of the sort, he just has orders and beliefs and ways of doing things. We all do, just not to the extent that Rene does. I also like Gio. Gio seems cool and befriends Rene, but has problems of his own and through Rene light is shed on his problems. The book is deep but reads as a fun read. I really enjoyed being in Rene's head from the beginning of the book until the end and seeing him grow and change and not change too. It was a really fun ride and this is a book I will definitely encourage my son to read when he is just a little bit older. A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie was definitely a great read!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommending "A Scary Scene in A Scary Movie" By Matt Blackstone August 2, 2011

By Paul Joseph

Format:Hardcover

Today is August 1, 2011, or, 8-1-2011. And since 8+1+2+1+1 = 13, I thought it was a good opportunity to introduce you to Rene Fowler. Unfortunately, Rene did not like my idea; he is plagued with the idea that thirteen is unlucky, and therefore would not be reached for comments. I'm told he's spending the day in bed (invisible, thanks to the protection of his favorite hooded sweatshirt) staring at his Batman watch and waiting for midnight when it will be safe to leave his sanctuary. Meanwhile, he remains occupied making smiley faces out of tissues and toilet paper - it's like playing Wii for this kid.

Rene Fowler is the protagonist in Matt Blackstone's A Scary Scene in A Scary Movie. In this contemporary YA novel, the author delivers a pitch-perfect depiction of life for a teenager struggling with OCD.

I awaited the release of this novel for months, and am happy to report it exceeded all expectations. This comical tale does more than keep readers laughing and flipping pages with anticipation; it offers insight to a population most of us cannot understand. OCD is not an illness that attacks organs or makes someone feel ill - it is a mental disease that controls the brain, preventing victims from experiencing the same quality of life the rest of us often take for granted.

As both a reader and educator, I was thrilled to see an author tackle a topic needing more attention. It's encouraging to see a portal for teens to gain insight about their socially awkward classmate or the neighbor who spends weekends performing 'odd' rituals. Knowledge is essential for tolerance and acceptance to permeate; it is the key ingredient for understanding the foundation of behaviors and personalities we may not understand....

Blackstone nailed the character of Rene, never once deviating from the mindset of an OCD teen. That fourth wall was sealed to perfection. Through his developed supporting characters, the reader is taken through the reactions of multiple outsiders - those who are compassionate and understanding, and those who target individuals they consider 'different'.

A Scary Scene in A Scary Movie is a book that makes you think. It guides readers to view situations from multiple perspectives while laying the foundation for personal reflection and meaningful discussion. I recommend this book to anyone seeking an engaging story bound to hold your attention. I especially recommend it for educators and reluctant teen readers.

Having worked as a public school teacher, I most enjoyed the scenes taking place in Rene's high school - his interactions with teachers and classmates kept me nodding in agreement, and of course, the inferences I pulled regarding educational issues delivered feelings of nostalgia.

This book grabbed me on the first page. I immediately developed an interest and personal connection to Rene. I never considered him a character; instead, he was a real person with a story I needed to hear. I love a book that makes me feel, think, and learn. Despite being housed under the young adult umbrella, this book provides readers of all ages those exact opportunities. Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Guys and girls will enjoy Rene's story July 25, 2011

By Sarah

Format:Hardcover

I really did like A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie. It has wonderful boy appeal, tons of humor and wit, and it's touching at times also.

The character development is strong, which I'm always a fan of. Rene is fourteen years old, but he really hasn't reached the maturity of a fourteen year old. Although as I type that, I'm thinking to myself, how mature are fourteen year old boys?? To be fair, I have had some fairly mature boys in my English 9 classes. As I was getting to know Rene's character, I pictured him being at the level of a 7th or 8th grade boy. He wants to mature and like the other guys, Gio in particular, but he still has his digital Batman watch, wears a cape, and imagines himself fighting crime as he's walking home. All of these nuances make Rene very likable as a character. Within the first few pages I was giggling enough that my husband glanced over at me with a "What are you reading?" look. I, of course, told him all about it :) Rene is hyper aware of the people around him. He has names for the different types of kids in school like the Cutters (they cut class) and the Smartypants. His example of what the Smartypants are like reminded me of a girl I knew in middle school who, during a Girl Scout retreat, corrected my pronunciation of the word "jaguar." This would be a funny story, but only if you could actually hear the story and how it sounded when she said it. She would be a member of the Smartypants clique.

I haven't read too many books with characters that suffer from OCD. For this reason, I was looking forward to reading A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie to see how it affected Rene. Most times I giggled when he'd get going about something.... He gets so distracted by his compulsions, that Rene often misses what others are saying or he just completely misunderstands them. This happened often with his teacher and with his friend Gio. These conversations are when I was laughing the most because it would really take some patience and understanding to interact with Rene. Honestly, though, I thought sometimes that his actions as a result of the OCD resembled how my students with autism act. The examples I'm thinking of are how paranoid Rene would get that the kids at school were talking about him and when he'd get completely sucked into his imagination. This is a great book for teens to read because they'll have a better understanding of what people suffering from OCD are going through. They'll know what everyday life can be like for them. I can't imagine living my life like Rene; it's exhausting to think about what he goes through.

Reading this book will not only provide you with plenty of laughs, but it will also give you the opportunity to connect with a deeply layered character. The supporting characters are wonderful as well, and I'm sure you'll be rooting for them. As a final comment, I'm not going to give the ending away, of course, but I really did like it; it's full of hope. Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read! July 11, 2011

By Lorie G.

Format:Hardcover

I just finished Matt Blackstone's wonderful book. I couldn't put it down. I won't write a spoiler but there were some lines that were priceless! Well written lots of chuckles and drama. As a former high school teacher I could really relate to the scenes in the school. Bravo! Well done!!!