The Shadow Club [Paperback]

Neal Shusterman (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co (Juv) (1988)
• ASIN: B000OUFQIM
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Neal Shusterman is the author of many novels for young adults, including Unwind, which was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers, Everlost, and Downsiders, which was nominated for twelve state reading awards. He also writes screenplays for motion pictures and television shows such as Animorphs and Goosebumps. The father of four children, Neal lives in southern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Shadow Club, June 8, 2003

By 

Amaiia (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shadow Club (Paperback)

Jared Mercer was a normal ninth grader at his junior high school. He followed all the rules, never cut class, and hung out with the "right" people. Almost everything worked out the way it was supposed to, and no one suspected he was unhappy about anything. But he had one problem. Since he could remember, he was always second best at the one thing he was truly good at--running. In fact, the only person that he could not beat was Austin Pace, a casual friend who took pride in belittling all of Jared's efforts. Although it first begins as an annoyance, the constant rivalry becomes unbearable for Jared. When his close friend Cheryl proposes that they form a club for all their classmates who are second best at something, Jared agrees and suggests that they play harmless tricks on everyone else's rivals. At first this proves to be a safe and satisfactory way to air their feelings and get revenge, but the Shadow Club soon realizes that if they don't want to be caught, they have to stop their pranks for a while.
The only problem is, the Shadow Club had already been observed, and the outsider who's been watching them has started to talk. So when more dangerous pranks are being pulled on their enemies, everyone thinks that the Shadow Club, which is now believed to be a gang, is to blame. They become so enraged at being framed, that they nearly kill their main suspect, the boy who spied on them. But in order to find the true culprit, they have to admit that what they've done is wrong and face the harsh reality of the truth.
The Shadow Club is a book that is easy to relate to. You can identify with the characters feelings and emotions as they struggle to understand what they really want, not just what they think they want. However, I suggest you find a time when you don't have many things planned before you read it, because once you start, you won't be able to put it down. It is a true suspense story that not only keeps you turning pages, but attaches you to the characters. I recommend it for ages 10 and up.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book to read aloud, July 28, 2006

By 

B. Garcia (Redford Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shadow Club (Paperback)

I have been reading the Shadow Club to my 7th graders for more than 10 years. The humor, especially in the character of Ralphy Sherman, keeps the class listening. The suspense builds to the point that I have students begging me not to stop reading. Many students tried to buy the book because they just couldn't wait for me to finish reading. I was happy for a few years that it was out of print, so they couldn't find it to read ahead of me.
There are many lessons that apply directly to children of middle school age, and my favorite is looking at how the students laughed at Tyson McGaw at the beginning, but feel for him at the end of the book. Hopefully they will look closer at individuals and not make fun of them because they are different.
I have never had a student who didn't like this book and it is the only one that I have read that when I finish, the students applaud.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, November 3, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Shadow Club (Hardcover)

I have recntly had the Shadow Club read to me by my 6th grade teacher. I believe this book is wonderful. It is incredibly intersting and i garauntee anyone from 9-13 will love this book. It also has a great moral, and teaches a valuable lesson. Trust Me, This book is excellent read it!!