Holdup

by Terri Fields

Book Overview

Always caution, Joe has never even gotten so much as an after-school detention. So how is it that this Saturday night, he's at Burger Heaven, waving a loaded gun, yelling at the teen workers to get... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1596432195
• ISBN13: 9781596432192
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
• Length: 163 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

Richie's Picks: HOLDUP

This Saturday night's cast: Jordan, a high school senior: "I tried to keep it from happening, I really did, but when I said I didn't think I could manage so many Advanced Placement classes, my counselor shook her head. 'Jordan, don't you realize the difficulty of getting into a selective college?'...So now my supersized class load devours me every day. And every AP teacher warns, 'Don't even think of complaining about the homework. You signed up for this class!'...Trying to find a little breathing room, I told my parents that given my homework load, I didn't think I could manage an after-school job. My father frowned, reminding me, 'You're not a child any longer. Do you realize how much the kinds of colleges you're looking at will cost?'...And then there's basketball. When I said I didn't think I could play varsity this year with all my other commitments, my coach came unglued. 'Do you realize how much this team is counting on your shot?' " It is supposed to be a Saturday off from Burger Heaven for Jordan, but when they are short-handed and the manager calls her in desperation, Jordan can't say no to coming in, nor to taking responsibility when the manager suddenly encounters a personal emergency and leaves Jordan in charge for the night. Just before closing time on Saturday night Jordan will be at the front counter. Sara: "If I had just, like, one chance for a do-over, I so know what it would be. I, for sure, would not have shoplifted that red skirt. I, like, wouldn't even have cared that it fit so perfect and was going to mean all eyes on me at Tommy R.'s party. I mean, not to exaggerate or anything, but I looked like a supermodel...Getting busted was like a nightmare in slow motion...I, like, kept seeing myself getting sent to that awful tent city for teens doing time on weekends. So, like, after a long lecture, when they finally said something about a second chance, I was ready to say yes to whatever it was...But I am so sure that I didn't really get it then that I'd be spending all my Saturday nights ringing up burgers and cleaning up after slobs." Just before closing time on Saturday night Sara will angrily be cleaning up tables after slobs and trying to forget that she's got the next restroom check. Alex: "I'm done waiting. I reach over to that beautiful [...] and grab a nice little pinch. I'm thinking she's thinking it feels pretty good. "And then wham! A whole steel ketchup container slams into my head. Man, I can't see much, but what I'm seeing is all red. And I'm hoping it's just ketchup, but my head hurts something awful. " So after my head gets bandaged, and the ketchup gets cleaned, the overall manager shows up. Not just the shift guy, but some big shirt. He yells at me about 'sexual harassment.' Says I better be on my knees she doesn't sue Burger Heaven, because if she sues, they don't have my back. "What about her wearing those tight pants?' I say." Just before closing time on Saturday night Alex will be in the

discovered by teen - shared with parent

'Holdup' was full of action and believable characters. We felt like we knew teenagers similar to the ones in the book. Terri Fields kept us turning the pages with a story of good and bad judgements that headed for a breath-taking conclusion. Lots of emotional moments that hold mirrors up to our sometimes 'crazy' society. A big 'thumbs-up' to young and older readers as well.

Recommend this book to kids!

What a great, taught, tense little story about a hold-up gone horribly awry! I see that SLJ is recommending it for grades 10 and up, but I'm going to lead with this book next year for my booktalks at grades 8 and above, even with the mature bits--- it all rings true. The theme about making wise decisions will be easy for kids to pick up, though they might miss some of the subtler echoes. Finally--- a summer of reading and now I have a book boys will like as much as girls. Read it--booktalk it---spread the word!