Customer Reviews

Bad Idea: A Novel With Coyotes (Bad Idea Series #1)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're looking for "safe" Christian reading with storybook endings and perfect people, look somewhere else. <em>Bad Idea: A Novel with Coyotes</em> is a raw, gritty coming of age tale that addresses issues today's teens face with refreshing honesty and laugh-out-loud humor. Griffin Smith sets out on a cross-country road trip from a small Midwestern home to his college in Southern California, accompanied by some unlikely traveling companions--his father and his young "cliché" (read fiancé), his best friend, and his younger brother.

This well written, though sometimes disturbing, tale gives readers a rare glimpse into teens' often-tumultuous emotional life and spiritual journey. The book explores difficult issues, such as suicide, self-mutilation, and self-medication. As a youth leader of ten years (now retired due to health issues), I can tell you that I've dealt with each of these issues--sometimes with teens whose parents were pastors or in church leadership. I believe this book fills a critical gap in Christian publishing, and I hope publishers sit up and take notice.

The authors weave a compelling story, laced with real-life issues and comic relief. that concludes on a positive and satisfying note. Not for the faint of heart, <em>Bad Idea: A Novel with Coyotes</em> will disturb some, strengthen and encourage others, and, hopefully, open the door for honest conversations around dinner tables everywhere.

Bad Idea is a good idea for anyone over 12 years old. I was entertained, challenged, and captivated all at the same time. It is a great story with diverse characters, situations, and settings. It takes you into the mind of a normal 18 year old kid dealing with real issues in a practical way.

In first reading this book from my thirty-something conservative perspective, I thought reading "Bad Idea" was a bad idea. I didn't like the raw expressions of main character Griffin Smith nor his honest admissions to his inner thoughts. However, brothers Todd and Jedd Hafer draw the reader in with a fresh style that isn't found in mainstream novels. I enjoyed the way Griffin's narrative makes the reader feel as though he or she is a part of a conversation with the main character. His asides to the reader and witty sarcasm balance the darker aspects of the story.

I realized that I was judging from the perspective of a parent of a teen when I first started reading. As I got into Griffin's head and began to understand his pain from the perspective of a teen, I understood the deep need for more books like this one.

Co-author, Jedd Hafer has worked with troubled teens; therefore he knows how to reach hurting kids. The honesty in this book approaches teens from where they are. It isn't a cookie cutter novel with a little gospel pasted in. The reader must beware that the book is shockingly realistic, but anyone who feels life Griffin is not going to read a self-help book with easy solutions. Instead of resolutions that seem unattainable, the reader of this book sees a kindred spirit in Griff who has been there and knows how it feels.

It is a real look at a teen ready for college, whose inner conflict includes his divorced parents, their new partners, personal regrets and his own unhealthy way of dealing with pain. Part of Griffin's inner struggle manifests in his self-mutilating habits and his hidden binges on alcohol. Like many teens that grow up in a church environment, Griffin has fooled the people around him. His parents, friends, and youth leader believe he is okay. But he isn't okay.

This book is a tool for anyone who can relate to Griffin's hurts and inner turmoil. It takes the reader through the process of healing and reveals the source of peace only found in a relationship with a supreme God. His road trip to college and the discoveries along the way is a metaphor for the journey of spiritual awakening in Griffin's life. The conclusion doesn't leave the reader believing that Griffin has it all together yet. Instead, it leaves the impression that he is a work in progress. Aren't we all? Thumbs up to the Hafers who dared try something different to reach a hurting generation.

BAD IDEA by Todd and Jedd Hafer takes readers on a road trip with eighteen-year old Griffin Smith. About the time I thought I knew just who the main character was, another - and sometimes disturbing, facet of his personality would be revealed.

Difficult subjects are not shied away from or addressed in a predictable way. Each chapter brought a surprise, and kept the action and the road trip moving forward - with a few unexpected detours.

I especially enjoyed the hilarious, mental riffs Griffin would take off on. Reading BAD IDEA represents a departure from my usual fare, and I'm glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to read this book. Once I started, I had no intention of cutting my trip short.

Recommended for ages 13 and older.

Have you ever laughed at somebody because they "got THIS because I just looked at it and thought it was pretty?" I'm guilty of it. And I'm just as crazy sounding. To think that I took a look at the cover of a certain book, and then in Wal-Mart, or wherever that book happened to be sold at, just started laughing and said, "HEH HEH!! (poor impression of laughing, I know, but come on, just play along!) That looks hilarious!" And if you're like me and with your wife, more importantly you simply say, "I'm gettin' that!" That's really the case with this. I had no clue that it was written for teens possibly. I really, REALLY had no clue that it would be a shot in the butt for me, because it related to me so well! I'd never heard of the Hafer Brothers, but WOW!

For me this was like sitting in the drivers' seat with Griffin Smith. He's on a road trip with a few people on his way to college. You've got his dad, his dad's girlfriend, Rhonda. You have little brother, Colby, who you dropped off at Aunt Nicole's. And you have his best buddy, Cole. You find Griffin thinking about the girl back home, whom he should've asked out, and possibly a girl at the college who might be a future relationship. You'll run into instances where Griffin makes fun of his dad in his mind, he gets irritated, and he doesn't know what to make of anything. He drives the car, he is a passenger in the car. He is loved at the times when he is unlovable. And, OH YES!! There are coyotes in this.

One of the things that struck me the hardest in this was grace. You can listen to Billy Graham speak about grace. I think in church, we've all heard the sermon when the preacher feels a little soft-spoken, talking about, "Show a little grace." You can listen to Steven Curtis Chapman sing about grace with his latest hit single. Either that or you can experience grace. And as the song simply states, you can experience AMAZING GRACE! There's nothing like it, because it is grace received, and quite frankly, it blows you away. This was great for so many reasons. There are some very somber moments in this. The Hafer Brothers are hilarious in their approach when putting this together. But it seems like grace shines through. Being loved when you are unlovable... GOSH! And they say this is just for teens? Probably AIMED at teens, but certainly not JUST for teens.

Emotions will run high in this. Anxious, pissed off, absolute boredom, excitement, exhaustion, pain, and so many more that you could list and list and list. "Bad Idea" was a GOOD IDEA, and I'm glad I took at look at it. Maybe you should too. Thank you, Todd and Jedd!

This was a great read. I hope that other publishers take note of this type of book. It's real. It felt like a classic to me, like reading S. E. Hinton's Outsiders. I loved the characters and the raw intensity of their love and distate for each other. Definitely a must-have book.

Griffin Smith is off to college if he can just survive the road trip to get there. If he'd had his way, he would have just jumped on a plane, but instead he finds himself driving halfway across the country with his father, his father's trophy fiance and his best friend.

As Griffin suffers through the detours of the road, he also re-visits the detours of his life and unexpectedly, he is in for a slow but certain life change.

As it is highly irreverent, I can't decide if I should be ashamed to love this book, but it was one of the best I've read this year. The description doesn't sound at all funny, but the book was hysterical. I don't know if I ever read three consecutive pages without busting a gut. But I'll warn you, I quite possibly have a weird sense of humor.

As this is a Christian teenage boy's spiritual journey, he is struggling to do right by God, but he fails miserably trying to go it on his own. And, as he is a teenage boy, you can make a pretty good guess of the types of problems he encounters. So super-sensitive "gentle readers" may not want to try it, though I highly recommend it to anyone working with youth.

Armchair Interviews says: A fantastic read, but be prepared for some heavy topics.

Bad Idea: A Novel With Coyotes
by Todd and Jedd Hafer
Reviewed by Jake Chism

Brothers Todd and Jedd Hafer have crafted a memorable coming-of-age tale in this collaboration. Griffin Smith has just graduated from High School and is about to begin his college career. Griffin, along with his dad, soon-to-be step-mom, and best friend, sets out on one last family road trip en route to his new school. Along the way Griffin faces some old personal demons and discovers some new ones. Griffin struggles with wanting to be a faithful Christian, but in the midst of family turmoil, he finds this pursuit more and more difficult. All through the road trip Griffin flashes back to his formative junior high and high school years cherishing the good times while wallowing in regret. At one point of the trip Griffin is reunited with his mother where life once again throws him a curve ball.

This is a strong first-person narrative written from Griffin's point of view, and as a result we find ourselves deeply caring for Griffin and his troubled life. There are no easy answers in this novel, but the overall message is encouraging and powerful. Griffin's problems are very real and very dark, and the authors don't hold back just because this is a Christian themed story. This is intense, edgy material that sheds some much-needed light on the plights of teenagers in our culture. At times the over-abundance of pop-culture references and Griffin's cynicism seems to make the story drag, but overall it is a very enjoyable and eye-opening read. This novel is highly recommended for youth workers, parents, and older teens.

Brothers Todd and Jedd Hafer have crafted a memorable coming-of-age tale in this collaboration. Griffin Smith has just graduated from High School and is about to begin his college career. Griffin, along with his dad, soon-to-be step-mom, and best friend, sets out on one last family road trip en route to his new school. Along the way Griffin faces some old personal demons and discovers some new ones. Griffin struggles with wanting to be a faithful Christian, but in the midst of family turmoil, he finds this pursuit more and more difficult. All through the road trip Griffin flashes back to his formative junior high and high school years cherishing the good times while wallowing in regret. At one point of the trip Griffin is reunited with his mother where life once again throws him a curve ball.

This is a strong first-person narrative written from Griffin's point of view, and as a result we find ourselves deeply caring for Griffin and his troubled life. There are no easy answers in this novel, but the overall message is encouraging and powerful. Griffin's problems are very real and very dark, and the authors don't hold back just because this is a Christian themed story. This is intense, edgy material that sheds some much-needed light on the plights of teenagers in our culture. At times the over-abundance of pop-culture references and Griffin's cynicism seems to make the story drag, but overall it is a very enjoyable and eye-opening read. This novel is highly recommended for youth workers, parents, and older teens. (From Christian Review of Books)

I'll admit I feel a bit conflicted about this book. I've worked with troubled kids for over twenty years so I know where the authors are coming from. The book was compulsively readable. The wit, sarcasm, and analogies were the most original and creative I've ever read. The authors clearly had insight into a troubled kid's head as well. I'm not sure I agree that the content is for kids as young as twelve, though, despite what the recommended age level is. For one thing, Griffin does a lot of dangerous stuff in this book including self-mutilation and drinking secretively through the majority of the book. My concern would be that a troubled kid would read about something they'd never done before (like burn themselves) and try it because they read about it as a way of coping for Griffin and if they thinks he's cool...

I dunno. I remember being 12 and 13 and reading a book about girls who were anorexic and trying to imitate their behavior when I was upset because I thought they were cool. That's what I'm getting at here. I liked how the authors gave incredible insight via the first person point of view into Griffin's inner heart attitude and his extreme pain over his mother's abandonment and how that played out in his life. I also liked how they showed the lessons Griffin learned over time, though they were slow at coming out and then the book was over. I'm also a bit conflicted on the spiritual element because from reading this book you sort of get the impression that Griffin sees himself as a Christian, yet his thoughts don't seem to match up with how a truly spiritually regenerated person would view things. He seemed to have no hope at all so that didn't sit right with me. However, he did seem to understand grace more in the end, so something obviously happened to his heart to change his impression of what a relationship with Christ means.

Some of the stuff in Bad Idea is truly LOL funny, but even when reading snippets to my two teenage sons, I could not get them interested in reading this book and they are the target audience! Some of the stuff seemed too thirty-something sounding in Griffin's thoughts. What 18 year-old knows what Billy Idol's fish hook snarl looks like? Or am I just out of touch with the pop culture of today? At any rate, I still recommend this book for a snappy read to someone who loves angst and works with troubled youth. I'm just not so sure I'd recommend it to troubled teens as a resource. Sure, they might also self-mutilate and can identify with Griffin's thought process, however, if they don't already self-mutilate I'd hate to think they had now just discovered a whole new way to hurt themselves via a Christian book. Make sense?

I love edgy stuff, so I had to really sleep on this one before I put my thoughts down to be fair to the authors. I still want to read the sequel.