Common Sense Media Review
By Kate Pavao
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gritty tale of teen runaway connecting with homeless kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
When readers meet KILLING TIME IN CRYSTAL CITY's protagonist Kevin, he's on the bus to Crystal City. A shy runaway who introduces himself as Kiki, he explains that his dad is responsible for the cast on his arm. In the working-class town, he stays at his mostly absent -- and criminal -- uncle's house, trying to fit in with the homeless young people he hangs out with on Crystal City's so-called beach. He especially wants to spend time with strong Stacey, who looks out for him and other urchins. But, although he may be living without any adult supervision, it's clear that he has a different life and resources than the other kids. This becomes more obvious as flashbacks reveal what actually happened to drive him away from home to begin with -- and what he still needs to face.
Is It Any Good?
Kiki's a likable misfit, and readers will enjoy his good-hearted bumbling. (In one scene, he trips a bad man who's chasing a girl, using his whole body: "I might not be a superhero, but I can fall down like nobody's business," he says). Readers also will like his best friend Jasper, whom they learn about in flashbacks; Jasper gives Kiki a hard time -- and the nickname that he initially hates -- but he's also there when Kiki needs him, including helping him see the flaws in his own thinking.
Unfortunately, many of the other secondary characters seem rather two-dimensional, including Stacey -- a tough but golden-hearted girl from the streets who moves on "when I feel like I have saved somebody" -- and Kiki's criminal uncle, who prepares elaborate meals in his clean house but is unflinching about murder. These characters keep readers from investing enough in Kiki's world to really connect with his adventure and understand what he's learning along the way.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about runaway teens. What would you do if you met someone in Kiki's situation?
What do you think of the way the protagonist reveals his story, interweaving the past and the present?
How does Kiki change by the end?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster
- Publication date : January 13, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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