Framed in Fire [Paperback]

David Patneaude (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1999 | Grade Level: 6 and up

Peter's been sent to Resthaven Hospital because his stepfather thinks Peter is emotionally disturbed and wants to harm his younger half-brother, Lincoln. But Peter loves Lincoln, and Peter is the only one who knows about Lincoln's unusual dreams.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although the plot quickly drifts into the realm of the improbable, readers willing to suspend disbelief will find an above-average potboiler. From the beginning it is clear that narrator Peter is neither hyperactive nor crazy, despite the allegations of his villainous stepfather Buck (owner of Buck Champagne Motors). Buck, however, holds an unexplained grudge against Peter and convinces doctors to commit him to a psychiatric hospital. Once at Resthaven, where most of the story takes place, Peter receives frequent phone calls from his psychic younger half-brother, who convinces Peter that his real father, who supposedly died years ago, is still alive. With the help of two fellow "inmates" (flat caricatures of an anorexic girl and a traumatized boy) and a compassionate aide, Peter makes a daring escape from the hospital in order to learn the truth about his father's disappearance. The story's mix of fast-paced action, psychological drama and family conflict, all spiced with a pinch of the paranormal, has mass appeal. Patneaude's (The Last Man's Reward) one-sided appraisal of psychiatrists and "evil" stepfathers may raise some eyebrows, but will not necessarily stop pages from turning. Ages 11-14.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-Peter Larson's father died in an accident-at least that's the story his mother has always told him. The boy has an increasingly hostile relationship with his verbally abusive stepfather, Buck, and some scuffles at school, but is basically a good kid. While he deals with his ambivalent feelings toward his parents, his younger half-brother, Lincoln, reports having "real dreams"-visions, actually, of events in their lives. The youngster's ability to "see" a fire at a neighbor's house helps to avert a disaster, but in the commotion, Lincoln falls down the stairs and Buck accuses Peter of deliberately trying to harm the toddler. The next stop for Peter is the Resthaven Psychiatric Facility where the staff, except for the psychiatrist Buck insists on dealing with, take a supportive role in trying to get the family back in balance. It's lonely and confusing in the hospital, but Peter finds consolation in an old favorite storybook. One day, its familiar bookplate comes loose, and Peter finds evidence that his mother has lied to him about his father. He wonders what else she has lied about and if his father might still be alive. So begins Peter's quest to find out the truth. Patneaude's story has enough tension and suspense to keep the pages turning. The book tackles many serious issues, including parental kidnapping, ADD, blended families, and teenage depression. The characters are well rounded enough to remain believable. This story of a teen in search of his identity is a good addition for most collections.
Roxanne Burg, Thousand Oaks Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807590967
• ISBN-13: 978-0807590966
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,163,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Patneaude finally heeded the advice, "It's never too late to have a happy childhood," and began writing seriously (more or less) in the mid 1980's. His first novel, SOMEONE WAS WATCHING, winner of South Dakota and Utah book awards, was published in 1993. His books have been placed on young readers' lists in more than thirty states and honored by the New York Public Library (THE LAST MAN'S REWARD), the Society of School Librarians International (FRAMED IN FIRE), the Winnetka (Illinois) Public Library's "One Book, Two Villages" program (THIN WOOD WALLS), and the Washington State Public Library (THIN WOOD WALLS). His newest book, EPITAPH ROAD, was published in March 2010. When he's not sitting in a coffee shop writing, or at a school or library or conference talking about writing, or out on the running trail thinking about writing, he's at home in Woodinville, Washington with his wife Judy, a junior high librarian.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Peter's great escape, August 17, 2000

By 

Melissa Caudill (Forestville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Framed in Fire (Hardcover)

Peter is an ordinary teenager who occasionally gets into a playground fight at school. Buck, his uncaring, stepfather, successfully convinces Peter's mother and doctor to have Peter admitted to a hospital for troubled youths and to take medication for depression. There, Peter meets several mixed-up, but loyal friends at this group home. He has a growing affection for an anorexic girl named Sarah who stands by him when he needs her the most. Also, a technician named Edward befriends Peter and with his help, Peter discovers that his mother may have been lying to him about his real father's alleged death when he was a toddler. Determined to discover the truth and escape from the group home, Edward and Peter set off to try and locate his father. This is a realistic, suspenseful story that will capture reader's attention.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Josh's Review, October 16, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Framed in Fire (Paperback)

The book, Framed In Fire is a really good book. It's the only book I have read completely in over 3 years. There is a kid named Peter who is another ordinary boy. He gets accused for pushing his brother Linclon down the stairs of their house, so his parents sent him to a place called Restheaven, which is a place for juvenile delinquents. There he meets Cat who is the nurse, Edward aka Scorpio is one of the guards. He also meets Eugene who is a poetry lover all he ever does is rsite poetry on paper and out aloud, he also meets an anorexic girl named Sarah who also smokes. Peter One day when Peter was opening a book that he got for his B-day he read what his mom had wrote. He noticed some more writing and pulled back the label and his dad wrote in the book to. But he was told his dad had died before he was 2.So he escape from Restheaven and goes and searches for his dad with help from Edward, Sarah helps them out along the way to to try to find his dad. I wont tell u anything else I will let u find out yourself. I recommend this book for a teenager or someone who needs a good read.

By: Josh Taylor

5.0 out of 5 stars Framed in Fire, December 30, 2011

By 

HattersMadness "Mary S." (Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Framed in Fire (Paperback)

I read this book 8-9 years ago. I've re-read it many times, it is still among my favorites.

What kid doesn't dream of "running away to find their real parents" on occasion, in this book Peter has a cute little brother, a wicked step-father, and a mother fallows the SFs wishes, even when that means medicating her normal son and eventually putting him in a mental ward. Peter meets an interesting set of kids while there. With the help of his little brothers psychic powers and an orderly, Peter learns of a lie his mother has to told him nearly his entire life. Peter makes a quick decision, escapes from the institution, and travels to Washington to find answers to questions he has only began to think of all thanks to his trip to the looney bin.

I lost my copy of the book a few years back, but it is well worth a re-buy.