The Last Safe Place on Earth

by Richard Peck

Book Overview

The award-winning author of Mall Rats uses insight and humor to take on the forces of censorship and fundamentalism in suburbia. When his sister is frightened so badly that she has nightmares, and a parent group tries to remove evil books from the school libraries, Todd begins to wonder what dark forces are at work in his quiet community.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385320523
• ISBN13: 9780385320528
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 161 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

The Last Safe Place on Earth: A Must-Read for All

When I began reading this book, I was unsure if I would like it or not. But soon after beginning, I found myself caught up in the plotline. The way Peck so vividly describes the world we live in, as well as the false sense of security that many have, struck me. What was particularly fascinating was how he captured the attitudes of high schoolers, how they wish to be "cool", and the uncertainty many people experience below placid facades. This book is a must-read for anyone, young or old, male or female, "cool" or not.

A Brilliant Author Who Happens to Write for Teens

The trouble with many young adult books is that they simply aren't well written and the characters are stagnant and interchangeable. This is far from the case in Richard Peck's "The Last Safe Place on Earth". In reading this book you can tell that Peck prefers to write for a young audience, as opposed to some of his peers who seem forced into that realm because adults won't tolerate their simplistic writing styles. "The Last Safe Place on Earth" never demeans its audience with sledgehammer plot points. The characters figure out what is happening in their small town alongside the reader, not a frustrating 20 pages later.Peck's novel teems with interesting, multi-dimensional characters of all ages who snag the attention of the reader from the first page. In reading the book, I simultaneously felt I already knew the characters, and wanted to know them even better. The themes of censorship, troubled homes, and religious fanaticism impact the peaceful town. The ways each character deals with these events create a wonderful spread of heartful mirth and family bonding.

This should be required reading for adults and children.

Richard Peck has weaved a story that is well written, extremely interesting, believable and relevant. Engagingly narrated in the first person by main character Todd Tobin, the book reveals the Tobins to be crafted as an All-American family. They are not perfect, however, in the vein of Leave it to Beaver or Ozzie and Harriet. This family has its flaws, questions its actions and makes mistakes. You can easily believe that they are based on a real family.In addition to the excellent writing and characterization, the text touches on some alarmingly real and modern issues facing families today. One of the Tobin family helps organize an AIDS seminar which is virtually ignored by the conservative community. Todd's best friend has an alcoholic mother. The Tobin's babysitter is from a religious fanatic family and has corrupted the youngest daughter's mind in a way that borders on child abuse. Several members of the community are trying to ban books from the school library because they do not show Christianity in a superior position to other religions. Mr. Peck does not resolve all these issues and there aren't any easy answers, just like real life.These are all important issues that touch the livesof all. Everyone should be required to read this book.

An easy reader for any one

I really enjoyed this book as a teenager and could relate to the problems in life Todd faced. Todd is 15 years old in the 10th grade. He lives in Walden Woods a nice dressed up suburb. His family moved here because they thought it was a safe sane neighborhood to raise their kids but they soon learn the reality that no place as is safe as their own house. He is not the most popular kid in school but gets by with a few close friends and his sister Diana who is the same age. Todd developes a crush on his little sister Marnie's baby sister not realizing what she was about. Todd learnes the hard way he is wrong when Laurel, the baby sitter tries and almost succeeds in brainwashing Marnie that Holloween is bad and that the Devel is everywhere. This book tought me that you don't always know people the way you think you do and that no one is as normal as you.This is an easy reader I recomend to any one out there looking for a mind bogling plot.

very good

this book really made me aware of evil in the world, and how even though something looks nice and civilized, it can be bad. the way that laurel made the little girl into a brainwashed weirdo when she babysat was a great plot twist. i give this book a nine instead of a ten because the story never really ended. i didnt feel the sense of closure that i always feel when i finish a book.