Shadow Club, The [Paperback]

Neil Shusterman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1990

For Jared and Cheryl, nothing is worse than coming in second. Their idea to form a club of second-best kids seems harmless at first. But when the Shadow Club members start playing anonymous practical jokes on each other's rivals, things quickly spiral out of control, and innocent people get hurt. This chilling page-turner about the effects of underlying resentment on a high school population is more timely now than when it was first published.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This engrossing book portrays how easily even "good" kids can lose control of themselves and do cruel and horrible things. Seven junior-high-school students (all "second-bests") led by narrator Jared and best friend Cheryl form the Shadow Club to get back at the "unbeatables" who make their lives miserable. Revenge tastes very sweet when they play humiliating practical jokes on all the school's first-bests, including track star Austin, Jared's nemesis. Any qualms that Jared has about the club get tossed aside when he's acknowledged as president. And, though he calls a temporary halt to the pranks, someone starts playing really dangerous tricks. Events come to a head when Austin is seriously injured. Sure that school weirdo Tyson is the culprit, the Shadow Club captures him. Jared leads the others in beating him up, then almost causes the boy's death. In the thrilling denouement, Jared learns where the blame really lies. Shusterman vividly conveys the overwhelming qualities of violent emotions and chillingly shows how a group of "nice" people can become an ugly, vengeful mob. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up A group of competitive high-school students, all second best in their areas of talent, form a secret club in order to pull anonymous practical jokes on their rivals. The pranks, which at first are humiliating but harmless, escalate to the point that they result in vandalism and injury and nearly cause a student's death. Shusterman's focus is on how the actions of these teens create a power that feeds on a previously hidden cruel or evil side of their personalities. This is strong material, and sections of the book have a punch that matches the subject. The dialogue of the teens, their concerns, and especially their feelings, are on target. Unfortunately, most of the book lacks suspense. The club members believe that an unpopular student who has eavesdropped on them is responsible for some of the more vicious pranks, but this is such an obvious red herring that the drama of the situation is lost. This book is neither as complex nor as well written as Robert Cormier's novels, but as its premise and tone hold interest, The Shadow Club may appeal to Cormier's fans and those readers who are not yet ready for his books. David Gale, ``School Library Journal''
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Yearling (February 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440402719
• ISBN-13: 978-0440402718
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,996,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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 (Mass Market 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 (Mass Market 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!!