The Juvie Three [Hardcover]

Gordon Korman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2008

Gecko Fosse drove the getaway car.

Terence Florian ran with the worst gang in Chicago.

Arjay Moran killed someone.

All three boys are serving time in juvenile detention centers until they get a second chance at life in the form of Douglas Healy.  A former juvenile delinquent himself, Healy is running an experimental halfway house in New York City where he wants to make a difference in the lives of kids like Gecko, Terence, and Arjay. 
           Things are going well, until one night Healy is accidentally knocked unconscious while trying to break up a scuffle among the boys.  Terrified of the consequences, they drop him off at a hospital and run away.  But when Healy awakes, he has no memory of them or the halfway house.  Afraid of being sent back to Juvie, the guys hatch a crazy scheme to continue on as if the group leader never left.  They will go to school, do their community service, attend therapy, and act like model citizens until Healy's memory returns and he can resume his place with them.  
            But life keeps getting in the way...like when Gecko finds romance.  Or Arjay gets famous. Or Terence starts reverting to his old ways.  If the boys are discovered, their second chance will be their last.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–9—Terence, Gecko, and Arjay made serious mistakes and wound up doing time in juvenile-detention facilities. Empathetic adult Douglas Healy, a former juvenile offender himself, has secured a grant to operate an experimental halfway house in New York City designed to provide second chances to boys deemed as deserving. The teens accept his offer to become his first reformees, willing to trade their bleak incarceration for a small taste of freedom, even though the bargain entails maintaining academic excellence, therapy, and community service. Though Gecko and Arjay enter into the deal in good faith, Terence seems bound for recidivism. Gecko and Arjay attempt to intercept him one night as he tries to use the fire escape as a means of reconnecting with his newfound, gang-related associates. A scuffle ensues and, when Healy intervenes, he falls to the ground, unconscious but still alive. The boys "borrow" a vehicle and drop him off at a local hospital where he awakens with retrograde amnesia. The teens then face the seemingly impossible task of keeping up appearances while also working behind the scenes at the hospital to ensure that Mr. Healy eventually regains his memory and returns to his post as their overseer. This novel is signature Korman; it is a celebration of good, youthful intentions and a wholesome and fun treatment of what might otherwise be prohibitively gritty issues. As such, it's a great choice as a middle school read-aloud.—Jeffrey Hastings, Highlander Way Middle School, Howell, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* What are the odds a teenage gangbanger, a 15-year-old murderer, and a 14-year-old who crashed a stolen car can keep it together when the saintly social worker who has given them a second chance at redemption ends up comatose in the hospital? Terence, Arjay, and Gecko become unlikely co-conspirators at keeping Doug Healy’s absence hidden from teachers, their psychologist, and especially from their nasty case worker. Arjay and Gecko, determined not to do anything that will land them back in jail, become model students and strong-arm Terence into extremely reluctant compliance. It seems to be working until Doug awakens with amnesia, Terence annoys a gang leader, and a high-ranking cop tells Gecko to stop seeing the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Korman keeps lots of balls in the air as he handles each boy’s distinct voice and character—as well as the increasingly absurd situation—with humor and flashes of sadness. His use of present tense is occasionally jarring, but it effectively heightens the tension and the sense that these kids are living minute to minute, where one false step may haunt them forever. Readers will love the feel-good, almost too-good-to-be-true ending, so be prepared for high demand. Grades 7-10. --Chris Sherman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (September 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423101588
• ISBN-13: 978-1423101581
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #788,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gordon Korman has written more than fifty middle-grade and teen novels. Favorites include the New York Times #1 bestseller The 39 Clues: One False Note, The Juvie Three, Son of the Mob, Born to Rock, and Schooled. Though he didn't play football in high school, Gordon's been a lifelong fan and season ticket holder. He says, "I've always been fascinated by the 'culture of collision' in football and wanted to explore it-not just from the highlight films but from its darker side as well." Gordon lives with his family on Long Island, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars a real disappointment, September 26, 2008

By 

Kerry W. Parsons "student forever" (Ruckersville, VA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Juvie Three (Hardcover)

When I saw the author was Gordon Korman, I picked this new title up with enthusiasm. Jake, Reinvented was wonderful, and his Island, Everest, and On the Run series were all page turners. Juvie Three reads as a unedited first draft, with weak characters, bad writing, clumsy narrative (both highly uncharacteristic of Korman), and an uninteresting plotline that dragged rather than revved. Korman's use of present tense was ill-advised. I think he was going for immediacy, but rather he simply achieved a weak canvas on which he painted an equally-weak story. I really hope next time, Korman and his editors will vet his manuscript with much more care.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent choice for reluctant teen readers, January 21, 2009

By 

High school teacher (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Juvie Three (Hardcover)

This is a quality title that is accessible for reluctant readers. The premise will capture their interest and the fast-paced action will hold their attention. It may not be a Printz contender, but it's well-written, engaging and definitely serves a purpose. I'd highly recommend it for teen readers.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will keep readers rooting for the boys and their overwhelming odds right through to the end, November 18, 2008

By 

Teenreads.com (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Juvie Three (Hardcover)

Gecko Fosse drove the getaway car for another of his brother Ruben's thieving escapades. Arjay Moran fought back against some bullies, and one was killed accidentally after a punch. Terence Florian planned a robbery that others in a Chicago gang he wanted to join committed. All are in lockup and miserable.

Douglas Healy designed a pilot program for juvenile offenders. These three are chosen to live with him in an apartment, go to school, attend therapy sessions and be involved in community service. One slip-up and the boys will go back to prison.

Terence has no intention of toeing the line; he aims to run away as soon as possible. Gecko and Arjay know that if he disappears, they will be sent back. One night, while the three are arguing, Healy tries to intervene and is accidentally knocked unconscious. The boys drop him off at a hospital and live in fear of the consequences.

Nothing happens the next day, and they all go to school and work as if nothing happened. Gecko sneaks into the hospital to learn that Healy has no memory of who he is or what had occurred. In order to keep an eye on him, Gecko pretends to be a volunteer there. Then he meets Roxanne, another volunteer, and falls in love. Roxanne's wealthy, well-connected family threatens him, and he does not want to return to prison.

Arjay makes Gecko and Terence do their homework and keep all appointments so no one will suspect Healy is gone. But he also sneaks in some guitar practice at school and with a band at a nightclub. He finds success beyond his dreams, but knows he is now jeopardizing his freedom and those of his two friends as he becomes more known.

Meanwhile, Terence tries to get in with a gang again, finding a way to set up another robbery to court favor. When that doesn't make them accept him, and when they ask him to do something truly harmful to another person, he realizes that this is not who he wants to be. But now he has made some bad guys quite angry.

Healy is transferred to a mental institution because he still doesn't know who he is. Gecko, Arjay and Terence know they can't let him stay in that awful place; they need to band together and find some allies to help them out. Very few trust them with their criminal past, and many would just as soon see them all get sent back to prison.

The clock is ticking for all of them. The dialogue and brotherhood developing among the three boys speak true amidst a crazy situation. Would you do the right thing if no one was watching you? From thinking about surviving the next prison beating to finding out what they want for their future, they grow through every exciting page.

Prolific author Gordon Korman uses his usual humor in THE JUVIE THREE, but adds a suspenseful edge that will keep readers rooting for the boys and their overwhelming odds right through to the end.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio