Summary:
Steven "Crash" Crashinsky is an 18-year-old hero. He has just saved his school from David "Burn" Burnett who took hostages and threatened to blow up the school. Because Crash managed to stop the mass murder, he has been thrust into stardom. He even received a book deal about it. The problem is, Crash actually has to write it. While Crash is attempting to write his story, he goes back and forth between investigating his relationship with Burn in elementary school and his present life trying to write the book.
Crash also has ADHD, so the book moves through several topics. He hates his father, but has a strong loyalty to family. He drinks, smokes pot, and has sex. He also is very conceited and is not afraid to talk/think about how awesome he is. This is all mashed up with details about the siege, reflecting about his own life in a very honest way, and connecting himself with Burn.
My thoughts:
Wow! This is a very raw book. Everything is poured out for the reader. Crash is not necessarily likeable, but he is extremely realistic. If you've read my reviews before, you know how much I love character development. Hassan gives me a character that I feel like I know. Crash could definitely be in one of my classes. I've read student journal entries that reflect several aspects of Crash. It's amazing how much he comes to life and in so many different ways. The plot becomes secondary when you have a character that is such a showstopper. The added aspect of ADHD makes the reader feel like they are with Crash. It gives the reader a very realistic way on how someone with this disability might feel/think/learn.
I would have liked a little more about the siege itself. Working in schools, I want to understand the ins and outs of school violence. Even though this is fiction, it feels like a real life memoir. Because of that, I want to know more so that I can explain it better in my head. As a teacher, I want to prevent and prepare.
Finally, I would have no problem handing this book to my juniors or seniors. I actually know several students that have already read it and loved it. I'd be hesitant to hand it to younger students. It is very descriptive with more bad words than can be counted. A younger student would have to have a very understanding parent before I would consider passing the book over myself. I would hate to have the backlash if a parent came back to me complaining that I was encouraging children to read about sex, violence, and f-bombs galore!
Steven "Crash" Crashinsky is an 18-year-old hero. He has just saved his school from David "Burn" Burnett who took hostages and threatened to blow up the school. Because Crash managed to stop the mass murder, he has been thrust into stardom. He even received a book deal about it. The problem is, Crash actually has to write it. While Crash is attempting to write his story, he goes back and forth between investigating his relationship with Burn in elementary school and his present life trying to write the book.
Crash also has ADHD, so the book moves through several topics. He hates his father, but has a strong loyalty to family. He drinks, smokes pot, and has sex. He also is very conceited and is not afraid to talk/think about how awesome he is. This is all mashed up with details about the siege, reflecting about his own life in a very honest way, and connecting himself with Burn.
My thoughts:
Wow! This is a very raw book. Everything is poured out for the reader. Crash is not necessarily likeable, but he is extremely realistic. If you've read my reviews before, you know how much I love character development. Hassan gives me a character that I feel like I know. Crash could definitely be in one of my classes. I've read student journal entries that reflect several aspects of Crash. It's amazing how much he comes to life and in so many different ways. The plot becomes secondary when you have a character that is such a showstopper. The added aspect of ADHD makes the reader feel like they are with Crash. It gives the reader a very realistic way on how someone with this disability might feel/think/learn.
I would have liked a little more about the siege itself. Working in schools, I want to understand the ins and outs of school violence. Even though this is fiction, it feels like a real life memoir. Because of that, I want to know more so that I can explain it better in my head. As a teacher, I want to prevent and prepare.
Finally, I would have no problem handing this book to my juniors or seniors. I actually know several students that have already read it and loved it. I'd be hesitant to hand it to younger students. It is very descriptive with more bad words than can be counted. A younger student would have to have a very understanding parent before I would consider passing the book over myself. I would hate to have the backlash if a parent came back to me complaining that I was encouraging children to read about sex, violence, and f-bombs galore!
