The Brute [Paperback]

Mike Klaassen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2005

When sixteen-year-old Fortney Curtis reluctantly agrees to go on one lat Boy Scout campout, he has no idea the horrors he'll face--from nature and from within himself. His temper is flaring, his patience is short, but none of that matters when a tornado strikes. Isolated in the vast Flint Hills of Kansas with six younger Scouts, Fort has to master his temper or none of the Scouts who now look to him for answers will make it out of the Flint Hllls alive. Free Bonus featues for this book include: Author-autographed Blue Card, full-color poster, extensive study guide, author interview, deleted scenes, fan-fiction links, limited-edition trading cards and full color bookmark.

Editorial Reviews

Review

…a well-written, plot driven story full of action and surprises. --Juvenile Book Review Committee, Juneau Public Libraries

From the excellent beginning sentence to the last line The Brute has readers on the edge of their chairs. The gripping, tumultuous adventures of 16 year old Fortney Curtis, as he is literally tossed into the grips of a tornado's aftermath, are equal to that of a modern day hero's journey...Mike Klaassen s first book shines as a well-crafter novel. The book doesn't flinch at gory images, gross humor, and real pre teen and teen language... The book is successful because it is encased in gritty truth about modern day life on a Kansas day life on a Kansas prairie. The story shows teen boys that they can learn to cope with their own inner hurdles while facing life s outer challenges. Kudos to Mike Klaassen for such a page-turning tale; and kudos to all the readers who risk embarking on this literary journey. Highly recommended for young adult readers twelve and older. --Judith Nasse, Children's Book Reviews, Online

...There are fist-fights, broken bones and a gross factor that will appeal to Klaassen's target audience. --Hollingswort, El Dorado Times, August 20, 2005

About the Author

Mike Klaassen was a Boy Scout troop leader for four years in Kansas, earning the Scoutmaster Award of Merit. He lives in the Midwest with his family. This is his first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Blue Works (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590922255
• ISBN-13: 978-1590922255
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #486,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Adventure for Teen Boys, May 4, 2006

By 

J. Nasse "book lover/educator" (New Mexico, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Brute (Paperback)

Mike Klaassen's first book shines as a well-crafted novel. The book doesn't flinch at gory images, gross humor, and real pre-teen and teen language. From the excellent beginning sentence to the last line The Brute has readers on the edge of their chairs. The gripping, tumultuous adventures of 16 year old Fortney Curtis, as he is literally tossed into the grips of a tornado's aftermath, are equal to that of a modern day hero's journey. Fort, his nickname, has another nickname, "Brute," attributed to his large size and his untamed temper, which can cause quite a lot of damage. In this saga Fort attempts to rescue his father, brothers, other young Boy Scouts, a rancher, and her teenage niece, Tana, from the devastation of the tornado that slammed down onto their wilderness Scout camp and the surrounding countryside. However, he runs into one dangerous obstacle after another including that of his own unharnessed anger. Yet, there are also poignant moments such as the unexpected loyalty of Butch, a Rottweiler, who Fort has just met. Will Fort achieve his two-fold goal of getting help for the others as well as taming his rage? The book is successful because it is encased in gritty truth about modern day life on a Kansas prairie. The story shows teen boys that they can learn to cope with their own inner hurdles while facing life's outer challenges. Kudos to Mike Klaassen for such a page-turning tale; and kudos to all the readers who risk embarking on this literary journey. Highly recommended for young adult readers twelve and older.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Right on Target, December 11, 2006

By 

S. Dawson (Greers Ferry, AR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Brute (Paperback)

"The Brute" is a compelling story of one boy's struggle with his own weaknesses. Placed in a challenging situation where he must be the decision maker we watch him deal with these weaknesses in a fast paced, action filled adventure. A real page turner. The author is right on target with his modern day audience of teen boys but I enjoyed it as well at age 58. It is just the kind of story to get or keep teen boys reading.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Brute packs a punch!, August 2, 2008

By 

Faith Reese Martin "Author" (Lancaster County, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Brute (Paperback)

The Lost and Found Colony
Conestoga Courage
Cracks

When sixteen-year-old Fortney Curtis lands a punch, especially on someone younger than himself, it can do major bone-breaking damage. He is one big brute of a kid. Fort has an anger control problem, and his Scout Leader dad expects him to work on it.

Even though Fort is sick to death of being a Boy Scout, he agrees to help his dad on a wilderness camping trip with the younger Scouts. Fort and his bad attitude are thrown into a major misadventure when a deadly tornado hits.

With his father badly hurt, it's up to Fort to go for help. He soon finds his Scout training invaluable as he battles nature's extremes for survival. A rattlesnake bite, a charging, mad Brahma bull, rotting, maggot infested animals; nature cuts Fort no breaks along the way.

In the end, Fort is astounded to find that not only can he tame nature, but he can also tame a much bigger adversary- himself.

Mike Klaassen's The Brute is a chilling, fast-paced read for young adults; one that paints a colorful picture of youth overcoming all obstacles to become a better person for it.


By Faith Reese Martin - Author of Lost and Found Colony and Conestoga Courage for Young Adults