Common Sense Note
Among issues of power and wishes lurks a hidden metaphorical theme -- the entire progress of the glasses' hold on Kevin exactly parallels the course of drug addiction and withdrawal.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Matt Berman
One of the most exciting, suspenseful, and enthralling adventures to come along in some time, and this makes a superb read-aloud. In addition, it provides the deep satisfaction of pushing an idea as far as it can go, and far beyond the boundaries of the usual story.
This author's imagination is not limited by normal boundaries. The first half of the book is very funny, but as things get further and further out of control, as the glasses and Kevin's mind begin to change the fundamental order of the universe, the consequences are sobering and breathtaking. It would be hard to imagine the child who could put this book down before the end.
From the Book:
The clouds spread out and blackened. Now the entire mountain was covered by gray clouds, turning black. A billow shrouded the moon, and the forest became as dark as moonshadow. Kevin held both hands up to the sky. "Wind!" he said. And the mountain breathed, sending a wind that rasped across the treetops, then swooped down, picking up leaves and pine needles, dragging them away.
Josh labored against his full stomach to stand up. "Are you deaf? I said that's enough!"
"Faster!" Kevin said. The wind began to groan and the trees bent to its voice.
Plot Summary:
Kevin Midas is a seventh grader who gets picked on a lot. On a camping trip he climbs to the top of a mysterious Indian mountain just at the summer solstice, and finds a pair of sunglasses there. He soon discovers that they make his wishes come true, and he and his best friend, Josh, have a wonderful time wishing for everything they ever wanted.
But this is only the beginning. He also discovers that they cannot undo what they have done, and that when exposed to sources of electricity, such as a wall socket, they become stronger. Soon they begin to make anything he says come true, then to make any passing thought real, and finally to reach deep within his mind. In addition they find that using the glasses becomes physically addictive, the realities they create become normal to everyone else, and Kevin has an enemy who also knows about the glasses.
Related Books:
Other Books by Neal Shusterman
The Schwa Was Here
The Shadow Club
Speeding Bullet
What Daddy Did
Darkness Creeping II:More Tales to Trouble Your Sleep
Mindquakes: Stories to Shatter Your Brain
MindTwisters: Stories to Shred Your Head
The Dark Side of Nowhere
Mindstorms: Stories to Blow Your Mind
Full Tilt
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Sexual ContentKevin tries to force a girl to like him, and gives her an unwanted kiss. |
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ViolenceBertram the bully beats up on Kevin and others. |
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LanguageOne mild expletive, necessary to the story. |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorKevin, drunk with power, spins totally out of control |
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CommercialismKevin and Josh wish up lots of products. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThe entire story is a metaphor for drug addiction. |
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