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You Don't Know Me (by David Klass)

common sense media says

Teen uses humor and fantasy to cope with abuse.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the protagonist deals with serious abuse at the hands of his mother's live-in boyfriend. Fourteen-year-old John is an easy character to feel sorry for and root for as he deals with everyday problems, and larger ones, like the abuse. Alienated and angry, John briefly considers suicide. Some profanity and sexual references as well.

Educational value: Parents may want to use this book to talk about abuse and how kids can help friends in similar situations. Families who wish to delve into the plot with their kids can ask: How could he have gotten out of his dilemma? How do his problems affect his view of the world?
Positive messages: This tale focuses on the realistic, and sometimes hard to stomach, issue of physical abuse. Check out our Families Can Talk About section for some ideas for delving in to this tough topic.
Positive role models: Like teen protagonists before him, all the way back to Holden
Caulfield, John notices above all the falseness and hypocrisy around
him, but his descriptions of each moment, ruthlessly parsed, are
uniquely creative, at times almost surrealistic. It is easy to feel sorry for him as he deals with everyday problems, and larger ones like his abusive would-be stepfather.
Violence: John suffers increasingly severe abuse at the hands of his mother's boyfriend, beginning with smacks, escalating to a beating with a belt, ending with a beating severe enough to require a hospital stay and reconstructive surgery. A gun, a riot at a basketball game. John briefly considers suicide.
Sex: A couple of make-out scenes, not graphic. An oblique reference to masturbation
Language: Some moderate swearing.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: John's mother's boyfriend gets drunk on whiskey, the punch at a high-school dance is spiked.

More on You Don't Know Me

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the heavy theme of this book. Is it important for kids -- even those who have never had to deal with an abusive home life -- to read John's story? Why or why not?
  • How do you think the author handled the descriptions of violence? Were they appropriate for the story? This book is targeted to 12 and up -- does it seem appropriate for this age group?

What's the story?

What's the story?
John, 14, describes his life, filled with the usual teen miseries: he has a crush on a manipulative, selfish girl, he doesn't understand algebra, he has no good friends, and he is alienated both at school and at home. But he also has a more serious problem: his mother's live-in boyfriend, referred to only as "the man who is not my father," beats him regularly, and may be involved in criminal activities. In the course of this book, John has a more disastrous than usual date with the girl of his dreams, his "friend who is not a friend" is arrested for shoplifting, and he is given a tuba solo in the school band. But then his mother has to leave town to deal with a dying relative, and John is left alone with her abusive boyfriend.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This is a stunning combination of brilliantly sardonic teen observation, lyrical writing, and anger. Like teen protagonists before him, all the way back to Holden Caulfield, John notices above all the falseness and hypocrisy around him, but his descriptions of each moment, ruthlessly parsed, are uniquely creative, at times almost surrealistic.

Some of the scenes are laugh-out-loud funny, so the denouement comes as even more of a shock. John's problems may get a bit melodramatic at the end, but by then the reader is so immersed in his character that it is moving nonetheless. Sharply observed, and with a powerful voice, this is David Klass' best novel yet.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: David Klass
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Publication date: May 30, 2005
Number of pages: 344
Hardcover price: $17.00
Paperback price: $6.99

This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Its Real
I had to read it for summer reading in my high school. I think it is somewhat beneficial because it makes you realize that people aren't always what they seem to be. I think it would be good for kids to read to just have their eyes opened and to know and understand that the things that happen in that book are real and happen to kids everyday.

hollylujah
teen, 16 years old
 
Um, Great.
This is the best book I have ever read(and i've read A LOT). It is stylistically so different from other books and almost impossible to put down!

kaliel10
teen, 16 years old
 
amazing
I loved how sarcastic he was and how he was just like anyone at his age. And the way he dealt with the abuse was just like anyone his age would too. This author knows just how the average kid thinks.

teenage_review ...
teen, 15 years old
 
this book is a perfect example of a sittuation many teens are put in . My self im four teen and i personaly loved, it made me realize how easy my life actualy is. It gives a good example of the struggles of a teenagers life i recomend that parents read this book. it is well writen with a good story line.

BroganSolig
teen, 16 years old
 
I LOVED IT! I cried and laughed
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I just finished it and can relate to this boy. He must feel so alone in this world. The author made it so we can feel like we were actually there ! 5 star book I have told all my friends to read this book!

Adriana62
teen, 16 years old
 
Well Written
This book had an interesting way of writing, it was often in second person (to his mom) but used a lot of metaphors. It was hard for me to read about the physical abuse, so that subplots were a nice break.

Jayy17
teen, 16 years old
 
Perfect for teenagers, but not for younger kids because it deals with mature issues.
I loved this book. I thought that the main character John was extremely heroic and funny. I liked the way that John dealt with situations by being sarcastic and witty. Teenagers can really relate to John and some of the things that he goes through. John is an excellent example of a person who is strong willed and refuses to back down even when the odds are against him. Through his actions he demonstrates that kids can get through anything with a little determination.

sweep26
teen, 16 years old
 
BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ.
I love this book ever since i read when i was in eight grade (14) and my teacher recommend this book to me, it was constantly reading at night trying to see, if John would get the girl. It is a very real and captivating story for all ages. This book deals with drugs and abuse (we can see how those two go together) and it very funny at times. John's only friend is him self so to speak because he is alone and no one knows that he suffering. John makes up a lot things that he believes what is really under the skin of that object or person. Such as he believes his tuba is really a frog acting like a tuba. This story like i mentioned before is captivating and a page turner all the way. I am very happy my Eight grade English teacher told me about this wonderful book. I loved this book so much that i am reading it again a year later. This book is a definite MUST read for any age in the teens. This novel deals with brain and depression and suicide. But remember there is alway light at the end of the tunnel. :-)

I am here
teen, 14 years old
 
It's ok but freaky
I thought the book was ok, but kind of creepy. Not good for projects or book reports. There's so many conflicts and characters, it's hard to keep up.

LoverofLiterature
teen, 15 years old
 
It's a sureal psychological novel.
Personally I loved this book. I read it in 6th grade and it really allowed me to delve into the character's mind. People believe that it should be for 13+ but I read it around age 11. (I stumbled upon it in my collection of books) There isn't really any gorey scenes, but the step father does beat the protagonist. I've read the book at least 13 times. It's a book you can read again and again and not get tired of it. There may be some concern that it's to mature for young readers, but you should allow your kids to read it if you believe the are mature enough. It's an awe inspiring book.

 
Good story, bland writing
I thought the story was great and I enjoyed the characters. The writing was pretty basic. The narrator is supposed to be 14, and the style of writing didn't seem to fit. Although the summary says his moms bf's abusive, its actually not brought up in the story as much as you would think.

DuGeOs
adult
 
perfect for ages 13+

Houstonlife
teen, 16 years old
 
It's really realistic.

erfon naruto
parent of 15 year old
 
the best book!
this book is the best book i every read.!

JVazquez
teen, 17 years old
 
Its a vary good book. i can connect with the kid because i have been in many of his situations.but the face that it shows a teenagers prospective is a vary good feel of life.

DarkHaze321
teen, 15 years old
 
summary?
this book was very notifying for kids who are abusing/bullying other students in school. being respectful can vary in many good results or feedbacks. Most students dont think before doing something. this can effect the childs emotions and procpectives as they live there life.

Shahl
teen, 17 years old
 
I officially made this my favorite book of all time. I read it a year ago and it's still my favorite. It's just . . so sweet and sad. John is a person almost anyone can identity with

 
a good book to read
it was overall good, in my opinion... it had a message to deliver and it has some characters that are life like and be related to an everyday teenage life . it also clearly gives the message that parent-children communication is extremely important ...so why not..

 
i think it is a great book if you and/or your child/children know the difference between fact and fiction.

 
This is a good book. I discovered this book because one day I was in class and I saw this book. I read the cover and it was pretty good. So I started reading and it pulled me in it was so interesting.

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