Shadow of a Doubt [Hardcover]

S. L. Rottman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2003

Shadow's life changed forever when his brother Daniel ran away. What will happen now that Daniel is home again?
For fifteen-year-old Shadow Thompson, life ended seven years ago--the night his older brother Daniel ran away from home, taking not only Shadow's piggy bank but also his ability to trust. That's when Shadow stopped depending on other people and turned inward, relying only on himself. But now Daniel is back and he stands accused of murder.
Shadow's anger at his brother, his parents' struggles to cope with the sudden return of their son, and Daniel's own feelings of guilt create an emotional undertow that threatens to consume the family once again. But as Shadow begins to open up to new friends, he slowly learns to trust and finally, to forgive. Now the Thompsons may get a second chance at being a family.
Award-winning author S.L. Rottman once again crafts a powerful story that depicts the complexity of human relationships within the framework of a troubled adolescent's struggles to make sense of the people and the world around him.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-Ernest (Shadow) Thompson is beginning his first year of high school, and he has worked hard to cultivate his apathetic persona, complete with an all-black wardrobe and sunglasses. He has just turned 15, the age at which his brother left home, 7 years ago. Shadow idolized Daniel for the first half of his life, and then he was gone without a word, leaving his family to wonder what became of him. Suddenly, all of that uncertainty is changed when Daniel calls from jail to tell his parents that he's been arrested for murder. When he reappears, Shadow's life is turned upside down; no one seems to care about him anymore and Daniel is the focus of his parents' concern. With help from new friends on the forensics team, Shadow does his best to deal with these dramatic events. Rottman has a history of creating male characters that are dead-on, and Shadow is no exception. His struggle to be recognized as a unique person is something every teenager goes through, and the added stress of his brother's return exacerbates the situation. The unusual plot gives the book its strength and appeal, and the realistic ending adds to its credibility and message.
Lynn Evarts, Sauk Prairie High School, Prairie du Sac, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. Shadow Thompson's fifteenth birthday marks seven years since his brother, Daniel, ran away. It also marks his first day in high school, which has its own challenges. When Daniel unexpectedly surfaces, accused of murder, family life is once more torn apart, miring Shadow in conflicting feelings. Rottman, the author of Stetson (2002), creates a three-dimensional, introspective protagonist facing difficult circumstances and choices. Shadow's dilemmas and changing perspective are realistically portrayed, as are his vacillating feelings, from resentment to confusion. Particularly notable is Rottman's insightful depiction of family dynamics, which demonstrates the range of responses to crisis. The conclusion, though open-ended, seems hopeful, providing a stepping stone to exploring issues of family loyalty, responsibility, and the legal system. Tough Shadow, clad in black, reveals his vulnerability, which reminds readers, as does the somewhat heavy-handed story, of the importance of looking beneath the surface. A thought-provoking novel that highlights the difficulties and rewards of second chances and new beginnings. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Freestone (GA); 1St Edition edition (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561452912
• ISBN-13: 978-1561452910
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,989,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In first grade, I made my mother very nervous when I told her that I was never going to learn to read because reading was stupid! Fortunately for me, my mother was determined to change my mind. She took the time to read with me every night until she got me addicted. By the time I was in fourth grade, I was the kid in the back of the class, trying to hide my book under the table so I could read instead of listening to the teacher! I believe that anyone can become an avid reader; it just takes the right book at the right time to light that fire.

Although I was born in Georgia, my parents moved back to CO when I was two, so I don't remember much about Georgia and I consider myself a Coloradan. I attended Colorado State University, and earned an English degree with teaching certification. I taught for seven years before taking time off to stay home with my children. My first novel, Hero, was written specifically for my students who hated reading. I love spending time with teens, and that's why I write for and about them. To an extent, I'm technologically challenged, which makes writing for teens harder each year--I haven't figured out how to text and the IM slang still sometimes messes me up. But I try! This year, I added teaching internet classes and virtual classroom visits to my list of activities. Rafting, skiing, reading, swimming, throwing pots, watching movies, and camping are just a few of my other interests.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Book For Teens, October 13, 2005

By 

Kevin Killian (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow of a Doubt (Hardcover)

I picked up this book after my sixteen year old nephew, who is a Goth, told me that he took a lot of tips from this YA novel, tips on how to dress, and what makeup to wear, and what attitudes to put on, to hide his own shyness and to make sense of a confusing adult world. The book relates the story of a young boy, Shadow, who has to deal with the trauma of losing a beloved older brother. It reminds me very much of the famous S E Hinton book, Rumble Fish, and to a lesser degree, THE OUTSIDERS, for all three books are about what happens when your adored older brother turns out to have feet of clay? in SHADOW OF A DOUBT (cute name), Shadow Thompson was just a tad when bro Daniel ran away from home, leaving his mom and dad desolate and depending on him for amusement, but being too grief-stricken really to attend to his needs, so he retreated into the wonderland of Goth, or maybe not retreated, perhaps "discovered his subject position" would be a better way to put it. He wears dark glasses, even indoors, so nobody can see his eyes and guess what his feelings are.

Daniel comes back at the beginning of the book-wanted for murder! I thought this was a little bit of overkill. Couldn't he have just come back period? Nothing else in the book would have changed. I notice that with the novels of Rottman. She always tosses in more than the book can really handle, or more than they need. There was the one book I remember about the girl who was in high school with her boyfriend who's more of a horndog than she can handle, and between that and her swimming career the book would have been quite full already, and then she had to have yet another plot about uncaring parents who saddle the poor girl with an older brother who has Downs syndrome (and still wants to swim). Too much!

But in SHADOW OF A DOUBT, young Shadow has to now cope with the law and wanting to protect his brother, rather like the Hinton novels. My own nephew adores the book and even said that he would consider joining the debating team, after reading this book. Well, he calls it the "forensics team" and it turns out he thought "forensics" is what it is on his favorite TV shows BONES and CSI, for his dearest wish is to grow up and have a job relating to dead bodies and murder, I think he'll be in for a surprise when he joins the debate team and there's no rotting flesh involved.

I would give Rottman's novel an A Plus for trying, but in the end it's not very involving. However I am over fifteen and perhaps young readers (its target audience) would ignore its lack of plausibility and instead groove on Shadow's fashion sense and growing love interest. Perhaps it will also restore teenager's interests in debating teams.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great teenage read!, May 17, 2004

By 

D. C. Shearer "Middle School Media Specialist" (Belgrade, MT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow of a Doubt (Hardcover)

Being a middle school librarian I'm always searching for good books kids can relate to and enjoy reading, this is one. The personna of Shadow is what our gothic-type students portray, and yet, many times is a facade. The older brother returning after missing for 7 years shows the tender thread that holds all families together. His murder charge and the facts surrounding it, give a good idea as to how difficult it is to make it in the world alone and how quickly what you love can be taken from you. And, finally, Shadow realizing that he is capable of change - in clothes, in attitude, and in friendship - shows our students that change is always an option.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One to Buy for Your Library, April 1, 2004

By 

Jean Davis - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow of a Doubt (Hardcover)

Though Shadow of a Doubt, by S. L. Rottman, will appeal to both male and female young adult readers on several levels, adults will also profit from reading this excellently written story about a 15 year old boy whose brother returns to the family after being gone for 8 years. The book deals with family dynamics and issues of trust. The main character dresses in black and we see the pre-judgment people have made expecting him to be like his brother who had made a reputation for himself in high school before his disappearance. There will be families who will be able to identify with the grief and sacrifices that go along with someone in the family facing incarceration. We can see the tension between the main character and his parents and understand what is going on, why the mother is so over-protective. We see the value of friendship and the hope of parents changing. We see the power of respect(...) there is the hope of a shadow of a doubt when the older brother goes to trial. There is also a little love interest. I read the book in one sitting (unusual for me). This book is on my highly recommend list.