Breaking Point

May 20, 2002
Heavy-handed writing undermines Flinn's (Breathing Underwater) stated goal for her second novel, namely, to "stimulate discussion" among teens about why kids commit violent acts. When geeky ex-homeschooler Paul Richmond enrolls as a sophomore at an exclusive Miami private school, he is immediately targeted for harassment. Living in a shabby apartment with his needy, newly divorced mother (her job in the school office lowers Paul's tuition), Paul would feel miserable even if the jocks weren't calling him "faggot" and trashing his locker. Then popular Charlie Good suddenly befriends him—outside of school, that is—and Paul seems willing to do anything to stay in favor. First Paul vandalizes mailboxes, then he hacks into the school computer system to change Charlie's transcript. Charlie's hold on Paul intensifies until he persuades Paul to plant a bomb in the school. Characterizations are stock, and no one, particularly not the all-powerful Charlie, seems convincing. The boys' reasons for wanting to blow up the school remain murky, and many of Flinn's devices, like the school sermons that parallel the plot, are contrived. For a more developed treatment of similar themes, readers may appreciate Gail Giles's Shattering Glass, reviewed Feb. 11. Ages 13-up.

May 1, 2002
Gr 7 Up-Being the new kid in school is always difficult, but it is especially hard for a scholarship student now in an exclusive Christian school where his divorced mother is the secretary. From the first day, Paul Richmond has problems with the charismatic leader of the in crowd, Charlie Goode. As the year progresses, he is tormented and verbally abused, but finds himself caught up in Charlie's group, which "courts" him in the evenings. A couple of other students try to warn him about his new friends, but outsider Paul is much too happy about being included to heed their warnings. The plot intensifies when Paul helps Charlie change grades on the school computers and set a bomb in one of the classrooms. No one is hurt, but Paul discovers that he has been set up as the scapegoat, and he recounts the events that lead to his arrest and imprisonment. In this intense story of peer pressure and the need to be accepted, the characters are realistically drawn and reflect the nature of high school relationships. Flinn states in her author's note that she wrote about one young man who reached his breaking point and that she has tried to understand what makes teens feel so angry, fearful, and isolated that they commit acts of violence. She has succeeded in her goal. Despite his actions, Paul comes across as a likable, although misguided, teen in a book that is well worth reading.-Janet Hilbun, formerly at Sam Houston Middle School, Garland, TX

Copyright 2002 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2002
Desperate to be accepted at his new private high school, Paul falls under the influence of a popular but troubled classmate, who convinces him to plant a bomb at school. This disturbing novel looks at many areas of culpability, including what responsibility adults and other students bear for Paul's actions. While the characters are drawn with fairly broad strokes, this is a compelling look at a complex issue.

(Copyright 2002 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2002
Gr. 7-10. Handicapped by his compromised status at a rich kids' private high school--he is new and his mother works at the school--Paul longs for social acceptance. His estranged father won't return his phone calls. His emotionally fragile mother relies on him in spite of his youth. Eventually, Charlie, one of the most prestigious kids on campus, seems to court him as a friend. Paul's escapades with Charlie, however, have a distinctly dangerous side; there's a mailbox-bashing incident followed by hacking into the school computer. Paul feels suspicious about some campus events, and he is particularly sickened by the school's response to a suicide. A final conflagration brings Charlie's motives into clear focus, but by then, it's too late. Flinn returns to themes of abusive teen relationships that she explored in her debut novel " Breathing Underwater "(2001" ). "Grim and emotional, this is cathartic reading for teens who wonder how anyone could have a worse set of circumstances than their own.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)