Vandal [Paperback]

Michael Simmons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 4, 2007

I got treated pretty badly by Jason. He never set me on fire, but he was pretty mean to me. All the same, there was part of me that desperately wanted him to like me.

Will is pretty much your average, garden-variety 15-year-old. He does well enough in school, plays in a rock band, chases girls with little success, and has a typical collection of oddball friends. With one significant exception. For the last several years, he has been systematically beaten up—physically, mentally, and emotionally—by his 18-year-old brother. The impact of Jason’s seemingly inexplicable behavior on Will, and the other members of his family, is the subject of Vandal. This novel is taut, gripping and at the same time riotously funny.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up–Will, a musically gifted teen, is making his mark in a semiprofessional Chicago band. He is saddled with an abusive older brother who torments him and who, despite bottomless remorse, continues to commit stupid acts and crimes that create ongoing chaos and challenges for his family. Writing in a journal of sorts, Will tells his story in colloquial language, describing his futile crush on Amanda and the outrageous behavior of the adult band members who create a cult following as Kiss Forever, which both memorializes and satirizes the infamous band Kiss. Loving parents and understanding school and police officials try everything with Jason, and Will even gets him a job with the band, but Jason continues on his self-destructive path. The seemingly final blow happens when he has a car accident in which their younger sister sustains permanent, crippling injuries. Does Jason finally learn? No. Do Will and his parents ever wash their hands of him? No. Is there hope for Jason changing? No. Sadly, the characters are as flat as the ending, making it difficult to believe or care what happens, and the journal device works only erratically. Readers wait for some insight or resolution that clarifies the relationships and brings the challenges alive, but they aren't forthcoming.–Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 7-10. "Just in case you've been thinking that I'm a funny, lighthearted guy, and that this is going to be a funny story, let me say one more thing: this is a sad story. Really." No disagreement here, but it's also a deftly structured, refreshingly unsentimental, and witty analysis of the resilient, complicated bonds that connect siblings. Sixteen-year-old Will has conflicted emotions about his delinquent older brother; he fears Jason's wild, frightening behavior but continues to yearn for a closer relationship. When Jason returns from a stint in juvenile hall, he accepts a job with Will's up-and-coming KISS tribute band, triggering events with consequences devastating to the entire family. Evolving alongside the tense drama is the equally fascinating story of Will's guitar-playing career, well stocked with behind-the-scenes glimpses of gigs and as articulate about the joys of music as Christopher Krovatin's Heavy Metal & You (2005). The boys' "unblemished, totally enchanting" younger sister is too angelic, but other off notes are difficult to find: the character study of a bully who "was more than just a brute" is nuanced, the pacing is skillfully modulated, and the conclusion, free of nostrums about catharsis and rehabilitation, feels touching and true. For another novel about a teen grappling with a sibling's misdeeds, look to David Klass' Dark Angel. Steer teens looking for more books with a music theme to Mike Tanner's Resurrection Blues (2005) or Blake Nelson's Rock Star Superstar (2004). Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Square Fish; First Edition edition (September 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312371470
• ISBN-13: 978-0312371470
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,504,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars -----Well done-----, June 21, 2006

By 

Judith Miller (Bluemont, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vandal (Hardcover)

VANDAL is the story of Will Brenner, a sixteen-year-old boy who has a pretty good life. He`s a decent student, has reasonable parents and great kid sister named Olivia. He also plays lead guitar in a rock band called KISS FOREVER. The various members dress up and imitate the rock band KISS. Will is the youngest person in the group. The other guys are in their thirties and were big fans of KISS when they were teenagers.

The only thorn in Will's side is his older brother Jason who is a bully and a jerk. He's attractive and athletic, but is constantly in some kind of trouble. As a young kid, he was difficult at home, then in school, and as he gets older his bad behavior becomes more serious. His teenage years lead to petty theft and police involvement. The family is in turmoil because of Jason's conduct. They have even sought family counseling and professional help for Jason, but nothing has helped. Will is the over achiever to the difficult big brother. Perhaps Will's good-boy behavior is a shield and defense against Jason and the problems that he causes. This story brings up serious family issues when Jason's thoughtless actions cause a disastrous situation. It also gives an interesting look at how a difficult child can effect the lives of his siblings. As a parent myself, it made me think how I might have handled Jason.

Michael Simmons has a unique talent for delving through the minds of his teenage characters and giving us some insights about how they think.