Desire Lines

By Jack Gantos

Book Overview

Sixteen-year-old Walker has discovered something potentially scandalous--two of his female classmates are having an affair. It is a secret he has no problem keeping to himself . . . until it comes to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374317720
• ISBN13: 9780374317720
• Release Date: March 1997
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Desire Lines

I really enjoyed this book. It does have a bit of a dystopia ending, yet i think it is really well written. Someone else's comment said they thought it was something out of the 50's, I can sortof understand how they might come to that conclusion, but, another more plausible reason (I think) is that the town where this happens is a small town, not a big city or anything, and in small towns like this, storys like this are much more likly to play out. I agree that the ending is a little exaderated, or played up, but overall I thought that this story was very well portrayed.

Fascinating

Besides being thought provoking this book is exceptionally well written. I agree with everything Booklist said. It's a gut wrenching story about a basically likable kid making the wrong choices. Bravo to Mr. Gantos for finally writing a story about a realistic teen who struggles with his conscience and doesn't do the right thing.

It doesn't deserve an award, but it makes you think...

Let's be honest-- Desire Lines is not a well-written book. But with that same honesty, let's admit that the book is absolutely awe-inspiring in the feeling it leaves you with. Living in the midwest, I walked through my house after finishing it, numb; I brought it to school as passed it around among my firends who have the same concerms I do. I recomended it to every English teacher I could talk to. I want to make it a requirement for joining the GSA I head... This book is important because it makes you think about the way things can get out of control; it makes you think of a phrase I assume originated from an Amnesty tee shirt: 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for enough good people to do nothing...;' it makes me paraphrase Kim Gordon and say you take a look at all the hate, it makes you feel very up-to-date...

A completely different Jack Gantos, and just as good.

When I started reading this book, I thought it would be somewhat like Jack's New Power, or Heads or Tails, books I really enjoy. But as I read on, I realized that this wasn't going to be a drive through a country of humor. It's a serious, thoughtful book about what some people are like and what they go through. It's very different, but like his other books, I enjoyed it greatly