Fade to Black [Paperback]

Alex Flinn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2006

Three perspectives -- one truth

The victim: After his windshield was shattered with a baseball bat, HIV-positive Alex Crusan ducked under the steering wheel. But he knows what he saw. Now he must decide what he wants to tell.

The witness: Daria Bickell never lies. So if she told the police she saw Clinton Cole do it, she must have. But did she really?

The suspect: Clinton was seen in the vicinity of the crime that morning. And sure, he has problems with Alex. But he'd never do something like this. Would he?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. Flinn, author of Breathing Underwater (2001) and Nothing to Lose (2004), takes aim at bullying once again. This time HIV-positive Alejandro Crusan, a Florida high-school junior, is the target. After being attacked in his car by a baseball bat-wielding teenager, Alex is hospitalized while recovering from his injuries. Clinton Cole, prejudiced and afraid of catching AIDS, hates Alex and is responsible for tormenting him on several previous occasions. Now he claims he's innocent. However, Daria, a teen with Down syndrome, saw Clinton at the scene of the attack; she also witnessed one of the earlier assaults. The teens alternate telling their stories and sharing their secrets, as Alex struggles with the truth about the attack and about the origin of his HIV-positive status. Daria's narration unfolds in free verse, a form that effectively shows both her halting, repetitive speech and the disparity between her inner thoughts and her ability to communicate them. Teens will enjoy ferreting out the reality from the conflicting narratives and arguing about the sensitive issues raised along the way. Cindy Dobrez
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Alex Flinn is the queen of writing troubled, yet multi-dimensional, teens." -- Teenreads

"Fans of legal thrillers might check out Alex Flinn's intriguing Fade to Black." -- Washington Post Book World --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (May 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060568429
• ISBN-13: 978-0060568429
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > Social Issues > Violence
  • #62 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Violence
  • #86 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Prejudice & Racism

More About the Author

Alex Flinn was born in Syosset, New York. She learned to read at three and wanted to be a writer at five. She received her first rejection letter (from Highlights magazine) at eight. At twelve, her family moved to Miami, Florida, where she had a really hard time making friends, due to congenital shyness and a really bad haircut. So she read a lot and tried to write a novel but never finished because she had no idea what to write about.

Flinn attended a performing arts high school program, similar to that portrayed in her book, Diva, then majored in vocal performance in college. Panicked upon realizing that there weren't a whole lot of jobs for opera singers, Flinn went to law school.

Law school was, it turns out a really good place to learn to write for teenagers. Writing for teens and writing for judges are very similar because both judges and teens have a lot of demands on their time and minimal time for reading. Also, Flinn interned at the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, trying many domestic violence cases, which were later the inspiration for her first novel, Breathing Underwater.

Breathing Underwater was published in 2001. It received many honors, including being chosen a Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association. It was followed by Breaking Point, Nothing to Lose, Fade to Black, Diva, and Beastly. Beastly is soon to be released as a motion picture. Her newest book is A Kiss in Time, a modern Sleeping Beauty.

Flinn still lives in Miami with her husband, two daughters, a dog, cat, and African Spur-Thighed Tortoise. She enjoys performing arts, biking, and travel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Page-Turner, December 11, 2006

By 

T. D. "A teacher and reader." (Reno, NV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fade to Black (Hardcover)

While the story is a straightforward mystery, the book is intriguing because of the characters. Alex and Clinton are believable, fallible young men who are at times sympathetic and at other times difficult or even detestable. They both love their sisters, their mothers, their fathers. These commonalities make their conflict all the more uneasy. Along with the HIV information, themes of alcoholism, abandonment, and what makes life livable weave in and out of the story. This strikes me as the sort of book that might appeal equally to male and female audiences.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is great quick pick., January 21, 2006

By 

Bibliophile "Fitzpatrick" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fade to Black (Hardcover)

This was a compelling read. I enjoyed the alternating perspectives of the three characters. I thought that this book offered several great messages and themes. This would make for a good teen discussion. There were also enough twists to make it interesting. I thought the author did a good job of going beyond expectations with the characters, creating depth to all three of the perspectives; both the "bully" and the "victim" were portrayed not just as those stereotypical roles. I also liked the inclusion of the Daria that was interesting addition. This is great quick pick, but with a lot of meat to make for excellent book club discussions.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a pleasant surprise, March 8, 2008

By 

Christiane N. Hulet "Tiane" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fade to Black (Paperback)

I was just browsing the shelves looking for something that might interest an adult but be easy enough for a 4th-grade reading level (I tutor adult basic education) and this book was a pleasant surprise. I ended up devouring the book, and my student enjoys reading it even though he's reluctant to start. Good characters and development, good amount of mystery. Disappointed with the ending, but overall very pleasant.