When Jason allows a friend to borrow his mother's car without her permission, one wrong move leads to another, escalating into a tragedy.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This cautionary tale, as tantalizing as a tabloid headline, illustrates the manner in which a single error in judgment can set off an avalanche of mistakes. When Pidge needs to borrow a car for a hot date, he turns to best friends Meek and Jason. Unwillingly, and without his parents' knowledge, Jason lends Pidge the family car. After that, everything goes wrong: Pidge crashes into an expensive sportscar and leaves the scene, and the boys' efforts to cover up the accident plunge them into a maelstrom of criminal activity. The writing is brisk and the plotting convincing enough to enable most readers to overlook the fairly one-dimensional characterizations. Even reluctant readers will be caught up in this fast-paced tale of a deadly chain reaction. Ages 9-14.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 7-10-- "What happened was my fault and Meeker's and Pidge's too," 16-year-old Jason says in the opening sentence of this contemporary tragedy. Set in suburban L. A., the story is revealed in flashback by Jase. With his parents in San Francisco for the week, he yields to his friend Meeker's plan to let their friend Pidge borrow Jase's mother's car for an evening date. When Pidge smashes the car and doesn't report the accident, Meeker convinces Jase to take the car to a fly-by-night body shop. He then deceives Jase and Pidge into unknowingly participating in an armed robbery to pay for the repairs. While trying to prove himself, Pidge is shot and later dies. Finally Jase waits for the police, confesses all, and pays the price both in the legal system and in the lost trust of his parents. Meeker will suffer the brunt of the criminal charges and, following in the footsteps of his father's blustery bravado, revels in his juvenile-hall notoriety. Booktalking may be needed to get YAs past the morose-looking boys on the cover, but the short, cliffhanging chapters should provide ample motivation to keep them turning the pages. Readers will identify with the difficult choices facing these well-differentiated characters and will clearly understand the consequences of making the wrong choices. This book should appeal to less skilled readers above the indicated age range and should provide plenty of discussion if read seriously. --Joel Shoemaker, Tilford Middle School, Vinton, IA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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More About the Author
Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world. Her other Clarion titles for very young readers include My Big Boy Bed, which was also illustrated by Maggie Smith, and Little Bear's Little Boat, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. She lives in Pasadena, California.
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