Age Level: Teen
Format: Book
"There are three things you need to know about me," he said.
"First, you don't know my real name.
"Second, I murdered somebody once.
"Third . . . well, maybe number three can wait. Until you read this."
And he was gone. Down the stairs into the dark and rain.
When Kip was nine, and living in the Alaskan wilderness with his father, he set another child on fire. Now, after years of living in a juvenile ward, he and his family are trying for a second start at life. But the ghosts of his past will not leave him alone and he soon has to reveal his secret. What happens to Kip and his family when he finally reveals that he really is - or was - a murderer?
Let me start off by saying that if you've read other books by Gail Giles, this one is a little different. With this book, the crime's at the beginning rather than the end.
It's an amazing portrayal of the humanity of someone who has committed an inhuman act. The story is riveting. Kip's movement from first, rage to redemption is an amazing ride. I found myself rooting for Kip, wanting him to finally lay his demons to rest so he could move on with his life and find happiness, or if not happiness, then at the very least, acceptance of who he is and what he did.
You move through the stages of his life with him - first in Alaska where the incident happened. Then in the juvenile ward where he's first catatonic and then as he starts dealing with the issues in his therapy sessions. From there you move with Kip and his family to Indiana where he has the chance to finally live a relatively normal life, but that slips away. Finally, you move with Kip and his family to Texas. It's his last chance to make things right.
This was an amazing story. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.
Reviewed by Sara.
Format: Book
"There are three things you need to know about me," he said.
"First, you don't know my real name.
"Second, I murdered somebody once.
"Third . . . well, maybe number three can wait. Until you read this."
And he was gone. Down the stairs into the dark and rain.
When Kip was nine, and living in the Alaskan wilderness with his father, he set another child on fire. Now, after years of living in a juvenile ward, he and his family are trying for a second start at life. But the ghosts of his past will not leave him alone and he soon has to reveal his secret. What happens to Kip and his family when he finally reveals that he really is - or was - a murderer?
Let me start off by saying that if you've read other books by Gail Giles, this one is a little different. With this book, the crime's at the beginning rather than the end.
It's an amazing portrayal of the humanity of someone who has committed an inhuman act. The story is riveting. Kip's movement from first, rage to redemption is an amazing ride. I found myself rooting for Kip, wanting him to finally lay his demons to rest so he could move on with his life and find happiness, or if not happiness, then at the very least, acceptance of who he is and what he did.
You move through the stages of his life with him - first in Alaska where the incident happened. Then in the juvenile ward where he's first catatonic and then as he starts dealing with the issues in his therapy sessions. From there you move with Kip and his family to Indiana where he has the chance to finally live a relatively normal life, but that slips away. Finally, you move with Kip and his family to Texas. It's his last chance to make things right.
This was an amazing story. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.
Reviewed by Sara.
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