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Burn
- By Suzanne Phillips
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Disturbing novel explores the aftermath of bullying.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know this is a compelling story about bullying, fear, and violence. Written from the perspective of a victim of domestic violence and school bullying, the novel walks a thin line between creating a sympathetic character and condoning his resulting act of aggression. The narrative is nearly relentless in portraying Cameron's sense of helplessness (adult intervention just makes the situation worse; when the bully is expelled, Cameron still insists, "He runs the school") to the point where teens in similar situations may wonder if there really is any hope. The idea of being gay -- or "acting the fag" -- is portrayed in a negative way. Cameron feels powerful and even joyful when lighting fire. The character's desperation and lack of remorse make this a choice for older teens, and one that's worth discussing.
What's the story?
High school is a dangerous place for 14-year-old Cameron, a slightly built freshman who is emotionally and physically tormented by a bigger, older football player and his cronies. Cameron, already a child of a dysfunctional family, copes with his anger by burning himself with matches. A final assault by the bullies pushes Cameron to the point where his own actions blur with the violence against him.
Is it any good?
In BURN, Phillips adeptly gets into Cameron's head, effectively conveying the "can't-do-anything-about-it hopelessness building inside him" as school bullies step up their assaults. Adult readers will certainly hope no school allows this sort of violence, but Phillips doesn't offer many solutions to her grim situation. Teachers, parents, and counselors are ineffectual, if not dismissive of the gravity of the abuse.
It's a morally troubling book; readers want to sympathize with Cameron even as he becomes more and more emotionally disturbed. Secondary characters aren't well developed; perhaps this is intentional to emphasize Cameron's isolated perspective. When Cameron physically lashes out at another teen, the author seems inclined to forgive Cameron, with questionably little account for his victim. His guilt, in the eyes of the court, lies in his intention. Readers will have to decide if they agree that is justice or not.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about bullying at school and possible ways students can protect themselves. Cameron says there are no second chances in high school -- do teens believe this is true? Should Cameron have asked to change high schools? An adult insists that "it is humanly impossible, at the age of 14, to know the complete ramifications of an act that was spontaneous and defensive in nature." What do teens think? Do teens agree with the sentence the judge gives Cameron?
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AGE
Great.
This book is one of the best I've read. It really shapes the reality of bullying. I just kept turning the pages to find out what happened next. I really liked the plot; it intrigued me. Very good story :). But I would only recommend to those in high school and age 14+.
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AGE
Loved it
Omg, I read this book when I was thirteen going on fourteen. Yeah, it had a lot of raw content but that's what made it near impossible for me to put the book down. I could relate to Cameron because he was an average teen and he wasn't sugar coating what bullying is really like.
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AGE
Okay
It was okay. If you like books about bullying, this would be one of the best ones out there, but sometimes I feel they are redundant. It is an interesting look into a seemingly new type of self-destruction and rehabilitation.
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AGE
this is a book good for all ages in the high school grades from 9-12
i like the book i thought that the book is really good i like it i really recoend the book to all the people that like the really good mysterys and thing s like hat i liked the book have a good time reading it
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AGE
Amazingly haunting
Coming from someone who understands, this book potrays bullying in schools excatly how it really is. The book had a haunting feeling, something that effects you and makes you wonder what to think. In the end, I loved Cameron's character. Some other books to read like this would be Shattering Glass by Gail Giles and Shooter.
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AGE
Very Realistic
This book gives the reader a good idea of how it really is like to be bullied. The author shows the way the bullying affects people emotionally and physically in a way that makes the book hard to put down. The only thing I would consider is the fact that the way the high school boys bully the main character is very different from the usual name calling and fights. The scene is not described in too much detail, but it does get the message across. All in all, this is a fantastic book that really expands one's knowledge. Please give it a try!
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AGE
liove it though it has unappropriate words in it it is good!!! :)))
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| Author: | Suzanne Phillips |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Little, Brown Books for Young Readers |
| Publication date: | November 1, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 288 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 14 |
| Read alone: | 14 |
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