I actually really enjoyed it and I read it when I was about 16 maybe. I thought it was a beautifully written book filled with sad realities and harsh lessons at times. I still remember many quotes from that book that had a big effect on me when the traumatic end event happened (I'll keep it secret in case anyone read it still) It was a beautifully written work.
The Crimes and Punishments of Miss Payne
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Teens try to prove tough teacher is a drug dealer.
Why We Rated This
for Ages 13–16
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Crimes and Punishments of Miss Payne was written by Matt Berman
Parents need to know that these very sympathetic teens have very bad attitudes toward adults, authority, and school, caused (in Kiffo's case) by an abusive father and a brother dead of a drug overdose, and (in Calma's case) by a missing dad and a mom with two jobs who's pretty much absent from her life. There's plenty of swearing and bad behavior, and an ambiguous ending that may frustrate some readers.
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the book's ambiguous ending. Is Miss Payne a good teacher or a drug dealer? Why do you think the author left it open? Did you like this -- or did it frustrate you? Can you think of other books or movies that end this way? What kind of endings do you like best?
More on The Crimes and Punishments of Miss Payne
Book Summary
Unlike most literary teen sleuths, they're realistically not very good at it, and soon are facing police accusations of stalking. And when it begins to look like they were completely wrong, Calma wants to quit. But Kiffo won't let go, leading them both into tragedy and a final twist.
Is It Any Good?
It's always exciting to see a first-timer with major talent appear on the scene, and author Barry Jonsberg is all that and more. This is a passionate, complex, humorous, and moving story with some satisfying plot twists and a truth that is only gradually revealed. Told in the first person by Calma, it has a witty, sardonic voice and gritty realism.
It also has plenty of rookie mistakes. The narrative goes off in too many directions, and the pointlessly ambiguous ending will frustrate many readers. Jonsberg also seems determined, as many first-time authors are, to throw in every good idea he's ever had: funny horoscope entries, imagined movie dialogue, flashbacks, last-minute revelations, comedy, tragedy, letters, essays, etc. But the core of the story, Calma's and Kiffo's friendship, feels authentic and touching, and it remains in the reader's thoughts after the last page is turned.
Publisher’s Details
Number of pages: 257, Price: $15.95 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 13, Read Alone: 13
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
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I rate this title on and give it
great book
this book, dispite the sexual referencs, violentce, etc. was a very well witten, entertaining book. i hate 2 read, but with this book, i actualy wanted 2 read it!

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