The Night Room [Paperback]

E. M. Goldman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1997

When a group of students uses an experimental computer program that simulates their tenth high school reunion, they get an unsettling look at their possible futures.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Like the movie The Breakfast Club, this novel is a veritable roll call of teen types-here, a jock, a genius, a tough-minded reporter for the school paper, an overweight aspiring actress, a cute blonde cheerleader-type, a timid outsider and an all-around nice guy-who forge unexpected friendships. Goldman gives the formula a science-fiction twist via an inventive plot device. These high schoolers have been selected to participate in "Argus," a virtual-reality computer program that sends each to a simulation of their 10th high-school reunion. The first session goes pretty much as its creator has planned: Joy finds that her wildest dreams have come true, but she also sees the possible consequences of her obsession with weight. Then a vengeful computer hacker activates an alternate program designed to kill one of the students. Tumbling to the scheme, the teens embark on a sweetly comic (if somewhat misguided) rescue mission composed of equal parts matchmaking and derring-do. Characters start off fairly flat, but gain some appeal: the obnoxious football star reveals his vulnerable side as he initiates his first romantic relationship; gawky Ira learns that his caring is his greatest talent; and so forth. A tempting premise plus plenty of action keeps the pages turning. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10?Tall and gawky Ira Martinic is involved in a love-hate relationship with school-paper reporter Tess and finds that they have both been chosen to participate in an virtual reality experiment. The Argus project, under the control of the cold and ruthless Dr. Ursula Halstrom, will simulate the 11th graders' 10th high school reunion, using an extremely well developed computer program based on prior interviews with the students. As the teens enter the Night Room, one at a time, they party and chat with many of their former classmates and discover the program's prediction of their projected physical appearance, career, and marital status. What no one knows is that a disgruntled computer hacker, angry because a previous Argus run has caused his girlfriend to break up with him, has planted a virus in the computer that will cause a fatal malfunction. Ira, the likable protagonist, races to prevent tragedy in the last-minute climax, which results in a darkly ironic ending. This suspenseful plot hinges on the identity and fate of the potential victim, and is enlivened by clever touches of humor. The characters are built on stereotypes (the swaggering jock, the overweight girl), but become real individuals as the book progresses. A satisfying thriller.?Lyle Blake Smythers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140372539
• ISBN-13: 978-0140372533
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,445,128 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:

3.0 out of 5 stars The school boredom, March 27, 2003

By 

"antisocial05" (My Chair) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Night Room (Paperback)

Ok, I dont usually read books, though if they strike my fancy I might think about it. I have to read books for school for a thing called reading counts. Anyway I like Sci-Fi books more than any other. This was a fairly good book, though draggy in some areas it kept my attention (which is hard to do). Over all this is a fairly good book, read it if you have some free time.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sci-fi/drama novel for mid-teenagers., August 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Night Room (Paperback)

I read this book last year, but I must say it's one of the best. A group of teenagers who enter a program to see their high-school reunion find shocking, bizarre results, with a murder plot also mixed in. This book will keep you up all night. The solution to the story and the roles of a few minor characters, like the creator of Argus and the person who tampers with the program, are a bit complicated aren't explained entirely. The whole experience brings out the true feelings of our heroes, such as Terry and Ira. IT has adventure, romance, comedy, suspense!READ THIS BOOK!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My absolute favorite book!!!, January 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Night Room (Hardcover)

I bought this book at a school book fair because I thought it looked interesting. Talk about the understatement of the year.When 7 school students enter The Night Room to "see" their tenth high school reunions.They figure it'll be a kick.But it can be disturbing to see yourself like that.Meanwhile, Micheal Radford, whose girlfriend broke up with him because of something she saw in the Night Room.He wants to get revenge, putting one of the school students at risk.This is my favorite book, and I've read many.Read this, you will not be disappointed.