Crosses (Laurel-Leaf Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

First-time novelist Stoehr draws a hard-hitting, graphically realistic portrait of troubled adolescents who indulge in alcohol, drugs, sex, shoplifting and "cutting" themselves, deliberately, an activity that somehow assuages inner turmoil. Fifteen-year-old Nancy's first-person narrative, more a journal than a story, spans the years 1985 to 1988. This intrinsically intelligent teenager embodies the punk look and attitude. Meeting Katie, a like-minded schoolmate who becomes her closest friend, draws Nancy even deeper into a risk-taking ideology that occasionally results in ineffectual punishment at school and at home--where the environment is hardly idyllic. Expletives abound in this provocative work, and one hopes that the contents won't inspire like behavior among foolishly curious readers. Yet this morbidly compelling chronicle of promising lives gone astray commands attention throughout. Ages 14-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 9-12-- Self-abuser Nancy deals with alcoholic, abusive parents by hurting herself and drinking. At school she meets Katie and they become best friends; both are freshmen, both are punkers, and both are scarred from cutting. Cutting--with fingernails, glass, or any sharp instrument--is their escape from the sordid reality and lack of control of their lives. When you hurt physically, you can't feel emotional pain. They use the system--teachers, counselors, classmates. Drinking at school, they get caught. But well-intentioned adults believe their lies, and the girls begin again. Nancy has Mike, her straight boyfriend; he cautions her about her actions, but she doesn't listen. She knows sex with Mike keeps him happy, and he will never tell her parents. Events, however, do finally conspire against Nancy, and she attempts suicide. Strong street language, sex, and violence mark this portrayal of a troubled young teen. Written as a first-person narrative, the compelling story draws readers into Nancy's mind: they will feel the intensity of her pain, both physical and emotional. Characterizations of parents, caring but misguided school personnel, punk rockers, and other teens are strong, realistic, and consistent. Stereotypes have been avoided, and the language, conversations, and relationships are contemporary and genuine. Consequences for actions are logical; didacticism is avoided, yet the unstated message of the horrors of drugs and alcohol is there. Reminiscent of Go Ask Alice (S. & S., 1971), the powerful portrayal of Nancy and Katie will be read again and again by today's teens. --Gail Richmond, Point Loma High School, San Diego
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (October 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440227801
• ISBN-13: 978-0440227809
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,013,724 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Silent Screams I take with me----, July 3, 2004

By	Nikki (Houston Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crosses (Paperback)

I first came upon Crosses in my local library. It caught my eye because of it's description. When I got to the 4th line in the summary of the book, I thought someone had written a book about me. This book goes into the cutter's mind and not only gives reasons, but stories followed by them. I could not put this book down. I could feel the pain in the character as I seemed to live her life myself. I could relate to nearly all of her stories, and felt I was reading my diary from years, months, even days ago. Her feelings and thoughts seemed to intertwine with mine and felt I was going through this depressing and sometimes uplifting journy with her the whole time. Unfortunatly I continue to cut myself, and I do not intend on getting help until I feel I am ready, but for all of the other people suffering from this terrible, depressing, confusing disorder, you're not alone. I highly suggest this wonderful descriptive book to all cutters around the world. Not as an answer, a relief of any sort, but to let you all know that you are not alone

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Message, February 14, 2006

By	Brandon Bell (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Crosses (Hardcover)

I got into reading this book when I was in high school ditching oneday and couldn't put it down. I was dating a girl who was a cutter and even though she didn't get into the drugs part of it like a few I have met since then. It got to the point that she would cut in the middle of class while we were in Colinary arts. I never really thought to much about it until I got this book and I realized what was really going on and that she needed some help or something could happen to her. She promised me she would get help and I beleived her so I never told her parents about it. she ended up killing herself from cutting to deep one night after we got into a fight. This book although takes it a little far sends out a powerful message that this is serious and if you know someone who cuts help them get help becuase sadly to say people do end up dying from this sickness. This powerful message is something all teens should read I know my kids will

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars CROSSING HERSELF OUT, November 5, 2001

By	BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Crosses (Hardcover)

The protagonist of this story which is set in Babylon, Long Island is an angry young punker named Nancy. Her alcoholic parents have little to recommend them and are generally despicable and odious. Nancy describes the abuse she suffered from her mother throughout the book. She "crosses" her parents out of her lif.

Nancy is suffering from more than adolescent angst. The story opens in 1985 when the then 15-year-old Nancy tires of conforming and presenting a seemingly wholesome image. She adopts the punk trappings of the 1980s, yet she offers a softening contrast to the hardened, nihilistic 1980s look with her love for 1970s rocker, David Bowie. She meets a classmate named Katie with whom she finds many common bonds. Both love David Bowie; both have turned to recreational drugs and both have a terrifying secret: they cut themselves.

Katie, at 5'10" cuts an imposing figure indeed. Raised by her single mother, the 15-year-old is left to her own devices. She and Nancy share cutter stories; both explain that since they have nobody else to inflict harm on or vent their anger on, they turn on themselves. Nancy is an outcast at Babylon High School; when a classmate sees her cutting herself, that classmate ostracizes her as do most of the other kids. Katie is the one friend Nancy feels she can depend on. But can she? Katie's cutting escalates to an extreme level and Nancy has to recognize what coping mechanisms she has. She also has to learn to recognize whether or not Katie is a friend or a "cutting buddy," somebody who triggers the desire to cut herself.

A gritty, painful book that will leave readers with a lot to think about.