The Pack [Hardcover]

Elisa Carbone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 2003

What's the story with Akhil Vyas? At first, Becky is convinced that he's the weirdest person on earth when he shows up in her English class. He refuses to sit in a chair, stares at her with his dark eyes, and has skin covered in scars. But when her best friend Omar begins to befriend him, Becky's revulsion changes to fascination. Akhil reveals that the National Institute of Health is studying him, but he can't say why-until something happens that makes him swear Omar and Becky to secrecy. Suddenly Becky isn't sure what's more shocking-Akhil's secret, or the chilling reason why he must reveal it.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-Becky, 15, is an overweight misfit at high school and Omar, her friend, is of mixed-race parentage. Into their lives comes a Hindu boy, Akhil Vyas, who has scars on his body, sits on the classroom floor, and simply walks out when something upsets him. Furthermore, he reveals that he is being studied at the National Institutes of Health, but he won't say why (until nearly the close of the book). As Becky and Omar get to know Akhil and form a bond with him, they are exposed to an older student's neo-Nazi ideas and hatred, and gradually realize that he may be planning a dramatic act of violence at school. From this point the story builds to an exciting and devastating climax. While Akhil's character is not entirely believable, this is a highly entertaining story. Becky and Omar are nicely developed characters, although Kyle is one-dimensional and an altogether evil presence. Akhil's early years, which have brought him to the NIH study, are described in such a way that readers will want to suspend disbelief. His ethic has been molded on that of a wild wolf pack, and there is much wolf lore integrated into the plot. An author's note elaborates on wolves and the inspiration for Akhil. Several Web sites dealing with school violence are also appended. This novel is an out-and-out suspense thriller with a twist; it should definitely appeal to reluctant readers.
Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 8-11. At first Becky doesn't know what to make of Akhil Vyas, the new kid at her high school. Like her, he's an outsider; unlike her, he doesn't seem to care what his fellow students or even his teachers think of him. Things don't become much clearer when Becky discovers that the National Institute of Health is studying Akhil because he was raised by wolves in India. Most of the plot centers on an attempt by Becky, Akhil, and their friend Omar to stop a Columbine-like school attack by a disturbed neo-Nazi follower. Obviously, any novel that introduces a feral child into an otherwise "realistic" plot risks a plunge into implausibility, as is pretty much the case here. But lots of kids like melodramatic stories (in this case, complete with a tragic ending), and this one, told in Becky's first-person narrative, effectively captures the voice of an intelligent, insecure teenager. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (April 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670036196
• ISBN-13: 978-0670036196
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,990,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, May 15, 2004

By 

Kachina Glenn (Kansas City, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pack (Hardcover)

I found this to be a very well-written book with likeable characters, with whom I was able to identify. The twist in the plot (when Akhil reveals his secret) is unexpected and awesome. The ending, while tragic, is very well done and all in all the book really made me think. I have a new appreciation for wolves, and for life in general. Honestly, I would recommend this book to anybody.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hayden's Review, October 15, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Pack (Hardcover)

This book is about three high school students who find clues about someone planning a school shooting. I enjoyed reading this book and I think the plot was good, but I disliked the part where it told about Akhil being part wolf.(I know it sounds confusing, but you have to read the book to find out what I'm talking about) This part of the story seemed a little "out there". Yet, I still recommmend this book to anyone whose interested in reading about school shootings.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars READ THIS, June 8, 2004

By 

Julie (MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pack (Hardcover)

This book is the greatest. Beautiful! You make such a bond with all the charactrs. The book deals with all sorts of issues, raceism and school violence. The end of the book is shocking and I even cried at the end. Read this book, its wonderful, the begginning starts slow, but it gets going very fast and you wont want to put it down!