Customer Reviews

Outside the Box

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm the author of this book. There was an error in the description. This is a Young Adult novel, written for ages 12-19. Don't be fooled by the 9-12 age range in the description. It's a story about and primarily for teens (although everybody's welcome to read it, of course).

I had to give it a 5 (what would you have done?). But by way of justification, Terry Davis (bestselling author of Vision Quest and other Young Adult novels) loved it. Said it was "the best book you won't see in a bookstore this year!" For more info, check out [..] thanks!

Let's begin this review by stating that the author, Dan Allosso, is working on a sequel to OUTSIDE THE BOX. I just wanted to get that out of the way, because after reading this book, you will definitely want to know more.

OUTSIDE THE BOX features top-of-the-line gaming equipment and cutting-edge game programs. Main character Reid Anderson takes readers on a trip into that world that they won't forget.

Reid generally likes to keep a low profile. His parents are hard-working, well-paid executives who keep their son surrounded with the latest and greatest of everything. His mother shops for him in the best clothing stores, making sure he has the coolest designer labels. His father designs game programs for a popular company, so it's no surprise when a brand new Wii machine shows up in the well-equipped basement rec room.

At first Reid doesn't show much interest. If it's something his parents think he might be interested in, he sure doesn't want it to look like they were right. But after thinking about it for awhile, Reid decides he might as well enjoy the Wii. Playing feels pretty normal at first, but then some strange things begin to happen. The game seems to have features regular off-the-shelf games wouldn't have. Reid considers that perhaps his dad has arranged some custom game to impress his otherwise ignored son.

But then a voice starts talking to Reid. The voice, and then an actual character, is part of the game. Weird ....

When Reid starts to investigate and mentions this strange phenomenon, he is warned by the game to keep quiet. The investigating Reid does begins to open some very interesting doors. One that's a bit scary is the fact that the state is watching kids diagnosed with mental health issues by having them play the game. Reid finds that the information gathered when the kids play is being used to prescribe changes in their medications and monitor their progress. Even more weird ....

An unexpected email message lets Reid know that he is not alone. He eventually joins forces with Louise, Larry, and Dave to question the mysterious JCN character in the game and find out exactly what is going on.

OUTSIDE THE BOX is sure to be popular among gaming teens, but beyond that, anyone who does indeed think "outside the box" is sure to be glad that the adventure will continue....

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

I thought this was a clever, well written and exciting book but was glad I previewed before having my 15 year old or 12 year old read. It contains language and subject matter I know they hear and see but don't want to push at them in the form of a book. 17 and up, in my opinion, for this book.

"Is your Wii haunted?" Enticing surprises in a souped-up video game draw the reader into the isolated world of bored teenager Reid Anderson, who is just about ready to accept that he has no genuine friends, and that a connection with his parents may never happen. A startling email leads him to like-minded teens in a world hidden from "normal" kids, condoned by complicit adults, and ignored by everyone else. Reid learns to question what is normal. With each mysterious upgrade of his new technology, he is upgraded too. He develops real friendships and a new sense of purpose. A warning to tender-eared teens and protective parents in denial: the players in this imaginative, well-written page-turner for young adults are believable sixteen year-olds who use realistic dialogue. Early in the book, I considered that we might have a new call for youth uprising on our hands. However, as the plot complication accelerated toward a climax, another message bloomed: adults need to do a better job listening to our kids. Outside the Box is an insightful, important book. I highly recommend it to older teens and all adults, and I look forward to the sequel.

I just finished Outside the Box and can't wait for the next one. Lots of messages buried in that little book. Should be "required reading" for school kids ... better yet, it should be what happens to all the school kids. Being "looked after" by someone who really cares what happens to them. Acknowledging that "authorities" don't always know what they are talking about or what they are doing; and that young people need to "follow their own inner voice" and that that's ok.

Okay this one surprised me. I'd bought the book for my middle school library base upon some reviews I'd read. When book arrived, I skimmed the book and read some language and situations in a couple spots that gave me pause. Thought I'd give it a read cover-to-cover (nothing like taking something out of context and basing ones opinion of an entire book on THAT)...[a favorite activity of would-be book censors by the way]. It's true that the first part of the book describes some violent activity but it's in the context of a video game (by the way I'm SO NOT a gamer --ugh) and then the story is developed from there. I will be recommending this book some of my teen readers (probably mature 7th & 8th grade boys) for starters. Well written story and even with my non-interest in gaming the interaction among characters and situations carried the book for me and I found that I'd liked it well enough that I'll also be buying its sequel for my library. This is one of those reads that certain kids will like very much.

Book begins with main character killing the president in an online game. Though names weren't mentioned it's clear this is during the G.W.B. administration. Granted he didn't kill anyone important like a CEO, but its still and excellent start to a young adult novel. Our hero then is met by an online demon who threatens him, not with hell, but oddly enough Homeland Security, unless he cooperates. This is obviously the start of a series and by the end of the book it's still unclear what the demon wants from the bright but unhappy teens whose lives it invades. It is for our hero a positive force helping him deal constructively with his problems, by the end of the book he makes friends and becomes a force for good.
The book has the same feel as Cory Doctorow's "Little Brother," and the same liberal anti government feel to it. I had a quibbles with a few of the scenes like their confrontation with a child abuser that went too smoothly, also there was an anticonsumerism rant from a boy who's using tens of thousands of dollers worth of computer equipment, but that was a minor part in an otherwise excellent novel.

An excellent book; well written and well informed. A book parents need to read to help them understand their teenagers. Above all, a good story, well told.

Even though it is a young adult novel, I would recommend it to anyone. I just love the liberal teen rebellion. This would make a GREAT movie!!