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Book Summary

Reviewed by Monica Wyatt

Evil stalks the halls of Trinity High. A vicious student and the corrupt temporary headmaster control the school, targeting freshman Jerry Renault when he quietly resists them. With the whole school against him, Jerry stands alone. This dark, disturbing novel towers as one of the true classics of Young Adult Literature.

Is It Any Good?

5

This book, dealing with life's cruelty, often gets mixed and extreme reactions from high school students. Many older readers enjoy the stark reality and honesty, but those not yet ready to grapple with the book's themes frequently dislike it. One sophomore found it too disturbing, saying, "It just hit too close to home for me." That boy's reaction reflects the book's intensity. Evil in all its ugliness pervades the story, which Robert Cormier sets in a private Catholic school, presenting evil as something that can invade even our own protected lives.

Only a few villains cause all the mayhem, and the book exposes them early. However, Cormier won't spare us from life's nasty truths. Readers might wonder, "Would any of us have done better, or would we make the same easy compromises as Cormier's characters?" For that reason, this book remains relevant: It forces readers to face the reality of evil, and examine how to confront it.

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