Time Bomb
By Michael Berry,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Explosive high school thriller marred by flat characters.
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What's the Story?
As TIME BOMB opens in the wake of a bombing, six students find themselves trapped on the second floor of their high school. Musician Cas has tried to fit in socially, but never succeeded. Star quarterback Frankie isn't interested in a pursuing a romance with Tad, especially when Tad demands to know why not. Teen rebel Z is still getting over the death of his mother, while Rashid struggles with how his religion is viewed by his intolerant classmates. As the group alternately searches for help or stays to tend to a wounded student, they learn that most bombs are in the building and that one of the second-floor survivors is believed to be the culprit. How will they save themselves and whom can they trust?
Is It Any Good?
School safety, especially concerning guns or explosives, is a hot topic, and this race-against-the-clock contemporary thriller puts readers smack in the middle of a high school bombing. Author Joelle Charbonneau concocts a chilling scenario for Time Bomb, in which the half-dozen students trapped on the second floor must find out who among them might be the perpetrator. The teens are a diverse bunch, but their individual motivations seem a little one dimensional, their dialogue a little too on the nose. The identity of the culprit might surprise some readers, but others will be wondering whether the given solution makes a whole lot of sense. This is a solid enough entertainment, but Time Bomb doesn't have that extra oomph that makes for a classic thriller.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Time Bomb and how it addresses issues of school safety. Do you feel safe at school? What actions by teachers and administrators might make you feel safer?
Why are people often suspicious of others who dress differently and practice other religions? Is it better for foreign students to try to fit in or to maintain their traditional practices?
Two male characters in Time Bomb share a romantic moment, but only one will admit it. Why do some teens hide their sexual identity? What are the risks and the gains of coming out to family and friends?
Book Details
- Author: Joelle Charbonneau
- Genre: Mystery
- Topics: Friendship, High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: March 13, 2018
- Number of pages: 352
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: April 30, 2018
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