Vandal

By Michael Simmons

Book Overview

Will is pretty much your average 16-year-old. He does well enough in school, plays in a rock band, chases girls with little success, and has a typical collection of oddball friends...with one significant exception. For as long as he can remember, he has been systematically beaten up--physically, mentally, and emotionally--by his older brother. Taut, gripping and at times mordantly funny, "Vandal" amply fulfills the promise of Michael Simmons's justly praised first novel, "Pool Boy."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1596430702
• ISBN13: 9781596430709
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.6" x 0.8" x 5.7"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 6 to 12

Customer Reviews

-----Well done-----

VANDAL is the story of Will Brenner, a sixteen-year-old boy who has a pretty good life. He`s a decent student, has reasonable parents and great kid sister named Olivia. He also plays lead guitar in a rock band called KISS FOREVER. The various members dress up and imitate the rock band KISS. Will is the youngest person in the group. The other guys are in their thirties and were big fans of KISS when they were teenagers. The only thorn in Will's side is his older brother Jason who is a bully and a jerk. He's attractive and athletic, but is constantly in some kind of trouble. As a young kid, he was difficult at home, then in school, and as he gets older his bad behavior becomes more serious. His teenage years lead to petty theft and police involvement. The family is in turmoil because of Jason's conduct. They have even sought family counseling and professional help for Jason, but nothing has helped. Will is the over achiever to the difficult big brother. Perhaps Will's good-boy behavior is a shield and defense against Jason and the problems that he causes. This story brings up serious family issues when Jason's thoughtless actions cause a disastrous situation. It also gives an interesting look at how a difficult child can effect the lives of his siblings. As a parent myself, it made me think how I might have handled Jason. Michael Simmons has a unique talent for delving through the minds of his teenage characters and giving us some insights about how they think.