Plague Year [Paperback]

Stephanie S. Tolan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 24, 1999

Bran's been hiding a horrible secret. Now that it's out, the town of Ridgewood wants him out. With Molly and David on his side, Bran might have had a chance against the teenage bullies. But fear spreads like a contagion -- until the whole town is infected with prejiduce, ignorance, and hysteria. Yet even as events spin out of control, friendship grows, and Molly, David and Bran are left alone to stand against the Plague.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A small town turns hostile when the new kid at the high school is identified as the son of an accused serial killer. Ages 12-up. (May) r
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10-- From the time he first appeared at Ridgewood High School, Bran Slocum elicits hostile comments. He wears a ponytail and an earring, dresses oddly, has an eye that focuses strangely, and doesn't talk to anyone. Only Molly, known as "Goblin Girl," befriends him. Gradually, Molly's childhood friend, David, is drawn against his will to Bran's defense and learns that the real Bran, although hard to get to know, is not the weirdo that brutal Nick Bruno and his followers claim. The persecution of Bran continues and grows uglier when it becomes known that he is the son of a mass murderer. Soon the whole school and town are involved in riots, vandalism, and ultimately, tragedy. Tolan has created believable characters in Bran and David; however, some of her other characters are either shallowly presented or stereotypical. The plot advances nicely, and Tolan writes well, but readers may have trouble accepting that a teen-age boy who acts a bit odd and has a murderer for a father could be the source of so much enmity that riots, arson, and attacks on the boy's relatives and their home could result. Some YAs may be willing to believe in such action, but critical readers will find that it strains credibility and seriously flaws the novel. --Ronald A. Van De Voorde, Graduate Library School, University of Arizona, Tucson
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperTrophy (May 24, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688161251
• ISBN-13: 978-0688161255
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,385,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plague Year, January 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Plague Year (Paperback)

I liked the book and the story captured me right from the beginning. This book was about rushing to judgement based on looks, and intolerance for someone who is different. It reminds me of what came out of Columbine. Bran is different and people don't want to accept him. Then they find out an awful truth about his father and in a rush to judgement decide he must be just like his father. This one I recommend to students from the 7th grade level up, as well as all teachers and parents.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very Realistic, May 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Plague Year (Paperback)

Plague Year was an interesting novel about a strange new kidnamed Bran Slocum, who happens to be the son of a suspected serialkiller. It reminded me some what about how kids today act around people that some steyrotype as "weird". That was what Bran was named the first time he came to a new school. This novel mostly deals with Bran's struggles to over come his bullies, and his fears. I would reccormend this compelling novel to people who enjoy real life situations.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, a good read, September 30, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Plague Year (Fawcett Juniper) (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this book in one sitting, I must say, that I was surprized with this book. It is like what I see in the world. I think that anyone who is prejudiced against anything should read this, then you may see what can happen to your sleepy little community, I think that Ms. Tolan is a wonderful writer. I say this book should be read by all people who have prejiduce. Bravo! this is a wonderful book
Inge Wyss