 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Surrender
- By Sonya Hartnett
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Lyrical, award-winning thriller is complex; read with teens.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that one of the protagonists in this award-winning read is apparently dying of a gruesome degenerative disease, and as a child accidentally killed his disabled older brother -- and may have killed his parents as well. The other protagonist is an arsonist. There is some smoking and drinking. The language and ideas are compelling -- but tricky for younger teens. Parents may want to read with their kids and discuss the book together.
What's the story?
In alternating chapters, as Anwell/Gabriel is dying, he and Finnigan tell their story. Anwell lives a restricted life with his frigid mother and controlling father. Even at a young age he harbors dark secrets: he accidentally killed his disabled older brother, possibly with his mother's complicity. When he meets a wild boy, Finnigan, who seems to live in the forest, he is enthralled. Finnigan seems to know all the secrets of their small town, including Anwell's, and they make a pact -- they will be mirror images of each other. Anwell will always be good, while Finnigan will be bad. Since Anwell will be an angel, Finnigan calls him Gabriel. Soon a series of arsons begins tearing the town apart, and only Gabriel knows who the arsonist is. Finnigan is fulfilling his part of the bargain, and the victims are those whom Gabriel doesn't like. His father leads a group of vigilantes to try to stop the arsonist, not knowing that his son is involved. But as they grow up, Gabriel, though fearful, begins to chafe under Finnigan's control, as well as his parents'.
Is it any good?
This lyrical novel, a psychological thriller told in gorgeous prose poetry, has an ending worthy of M. Night Shyamalan, though considerably more confusing. That ending will have readers paging back through this bizarre story to try to figure out what was real, and what wasn't. And even then they won't find all the answers.
Tolerance for ambiguity, then, is one of the prerequisites for enjoying this book. The author has said she doesn't really write for children. There's not much that would be considered objectionable for teens, but it won't be to all of their tastes. At the same time, many adults will enjoy SURRENDER, and shouldn't miss it because it's being sold in the children's section -- with shimmering prose, a uniquely strange plot, and that surprising, confusing ending, this will be a joy to some and frustrating to others.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the audience for this book. The author has said she doesn't really write for children -- who do you think this book is for? Why do you think it was published as Young Adult rather than for adults?
This book won a Printz honor book from the American Library Association. Why do you think it was singled out for an award? Does it make a difference to you? Have you read any other of the Printz award winners?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Teen, 13 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
A Must Read
This is the best book I have ever read. The end is incredible. The violence is a little bad. Like when a baby gets stuck in a refrigerator. Or when 2 parents were murdered by a hatchet. Anyway, a must read for kids 13 and up
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 14 years old
June 8, 2011
AGE
A Really Good Book
The psycological thriller Surrender by Sonya Hartnett is very entertaining. The protagonist, Anwell, is dying at the age of 20. He remembers his short life and all the humiliation and mistakes he's made. When young Anwell meets a dirty boy named Finnegan on a hot, boring day, they make a pact. Anwell must only do good things from now on, after accidentally killing his brother, and so calls him Gabriel after an angel. Finnegan can do bad things and becomes an arsonist, punishing people who did bad things to Gabriel and making a game out of leaving the town in terror. Gabriel realizes how dangerous Finnegan is and wants to get rid of him, but is afraid of what Finnegan will do. I thought it was interesting how Finnegan thought he should be Gabriel's only friend. He acts like he owns everything and doesn't care about what the consequences might be, while on the other hand, Gabriel just wants to live a normal life. I felt bad for Gabriel because both his parents seclude him from other people. This makes Gabriel's only friends Finnegan and his dog, Surrender. I also feel bad for how Gabriel had to keep the secret that after the pact was made, Finnegan becomes an arsonist, teasing and terrorizing the town with fire. This novel was very good and I would recommend it to someone who likes suspense. The violence in the novel was a little frightening, but it kept you on the edge of your seat and left you feeling content at the end.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Parent of 13 year old
June 30, 2010
AGE
Amazing Book
I loved this book and i feel that it teaches teenagers many importaint life lessons on love friendship and death.Although partially gruesome, i believe that teens will cherish this book for years to come,as did my 13 year old son.Thank you Sonya Hartnett for writing this masterpiece.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 13 years old
March 23, 2011
AGE
AMAZING BOOK
i read surrender first when i was twelve and again when i was 13. i understood SO much more the second time! it was an amazing book but for teenagers because it will be hard for younger kids to understand dome of it.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Author: | Sonya Hartnett |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Candlewick Press |
| Publication date: | March 1, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 248 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 14 |
| Read aloud: | 13 - 13 |
| Read alone: | 13 - 13 |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
