Face at the Edge of the World (Clarion fiction) [Paperback]

Eve Bunting (Author)

Book Description

Series: Clarion fiction | Publication Date: September 19, 1988

Haunted by Charlie Curtis's suicide, Jed sets out to retrace his friend's last weeks and discover why Charlie took his own life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A moving portrayal of grief, love, and friendship and a taut suspense story." Booklist, ALA

About the Author

Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world. Her other Clarion titles for very young readers include My Big Boy Bed, which was also illustrated by Maggie Smith, and Little Bear’s Little Boat, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (September 19, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899198007
• ISBN-13: 978-0899198002
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,981,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world. Her other Clarion titles for very young readers include My Big Boy Bed, which was also illustrated by Maggie Smith, and Little Bear's Little Boat, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars PEACE OR PIECES OF THE TRUTH AT THE PRECIPICE, August 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Face at the Edge of the World (Clarion fiction) (Paperback)

This story about teenage suicide is narrated in the first person, thus intensifying the emotions, by 17-year-old Jed Lennox, who is devastated by the senselss hanging of his best friend. These coastside California kids have more on their minds than surfing and hang-gliding. Much action and self-scrutiny is crammed into about a week, so the unity of time also incrases literary tension.

Suicide is a depressing topic, but this book reads swiftly and seems almost a mystery. WHY did Jeff's best friend, Charlie--a gifted writer with great promise--ruthlessly take his own life? Various theories emerge as the high school senior is suddenly thrust into the role of detective, coping with adult problems without parental or police guidance. The trail of emotional discovery snakes its way through a maze of intrigue and deception, guilt and despair. Jed encounters a secret girlfriend, a gang of dopers, grief-stircken parents, a private code called Gemini Man and young teens delu! ged by the voracious media.

Jed is torn between loyalty to his friend's memory and the gnawing suspicion that he may have been holding out, that Charlie was involved in something shabby, even immoral and illegal. But Jed is supposed to know him better than anyone, so of course he knew all about his friend's private life. Then how could something like this happen? Did Jed fail his buddy somehow, by not recognizing the pre-Suicide signs?

All he can do now is grimly follow up the post Suicide clues, which have him searching for the 2nd half of Charlie's last message, plus "interviewing" the people whose lives have intersected Charlie's. He learns a lot about himself in this uncomfortable new role, as he tries to cope with grief, rage and his own fears. Fortunately he gets emotional stability from his faithful girlfriend. Jed recognizes the value of friendship and trust, and appreicates the kindness of neighborly adults, as he staggers through this web of ho! rror during his father's absence.

But he honors his fri! end's memory (and figures out the anguished WHY of Charlie's distraught parents) by his relentless pursuit of the Truth, so that The Hawk may go free. Will Jed prove true to his friend's last wish, despite the personal and social cost? How much should one get involved in another person's dark secret, or sacrifice to retain one's personal sense of Justice? Jed is the only one who can free the kids attending his school dubbed Suicide High. A fascinating and poignant read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book, May 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Face at the Edge of the World (Clarion fiction) (Paperback)

When Jed finds out about his best friend Charlie's sucside he is torn up. As soon as he finds out about it he tries to look and see why Charlie did it. He goe's around the whole school and town searching for an answer. When Charlie's sister gives Jed a note it makes it alot easier to find out why he did it. To find out why Charlie did it read this book. I rate it a 10 and suggest that you go and buy a copy as soon as you can!

4.0 out of 5 stars A real page turner, a cliff-hanger on every page!, November 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Face at the Edge of the World (Clarion fiction) (Paperback)

A very well written story based on teen suicide. I started reading just to finish a repirt, but I felt like I couldn't stop reading. The ending however isn't as strong as you'd excpect it to be. However, read the book for yourself and find out!