Twisted

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Twisted. ISBN-10: 014131088X, ISBN-13: 9780141310886. Puffin. 1999.

Summary
Before his senior year, Tyler was a nobody. He was invisible, but that's all changed due to his creative graffiti on the school walls and his summer spent in punishment working hard-labor outside. His reputation and his body have changed. He's no longer lurking in the shadows, and he's caught the attention of his crush and super-popular Bethany. This leads to conflicts at school because she is the sister to his archenemy, Chip. And this makes home awkward as she's also the daughter of his Dad's boss. As the story unfolds, Tyler's got to deal with his feelings to find out what kind of man he really is, or is growing to be.

Critical Evaluation
So many times books are written to help girls who suffer from social issues, but in Twisted Laurie Halse Anderson opens up the heart and mind a teen called Tyler. He's always been an outsider, and would still be overlooked if not for his crazy act of rebellion where he vandalized his school. His crime changed his reputation, and his punishment of manual labor changed his body. The superficial changes bring the attention of Tyler's crush, an equally superficial Bethany. He's now caught in the dilemma of what does a man do when he's got what he wants and it's nothing like he thought it'd be. Young readers will be acquainted with the inner conflicts of sex and love, drinking and partying, school, and parental issues.

Reader's Annotation
Now that Tyler is popular and attention-worthy, he needs to face the ethical quandaries of being a man in the world today.

About the Author
Laurie Halse Anderson is a native to New York state, and that is where she currently lives and writes. The bestselling author writes books for kids of all ages, but is maybe best known for her young adult books. Her debut novel Speak was a National Book Award finalist, a New York Times bestseller and a Printz Honor book. Catalyst followed in 2003, Prom in 2006 and Twisted in 2008—all of which touching on tough subjects with delicacy and the right about of humor.

Anderson is also very well known for her American History picture books that highlight the women who also helped shape our country. Vet Volunteers is a chapter book series written for elementary readers. Anderson alternates between her projects all the while being presented with 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award for Catalyst, Fever 1793 and Speak. In 2008, she received the ALAN Award for her "outstanding contribution to the field of adolescent literature. And in April 2010, she was chosen to be the School Library Month spokesperson by the American Association of School Librarians.

Genre
Boys/Men
Adolescence

Challenges
Underage Drinking
Sexual Content

Curriculum Ties
n/a

Booktalking Ideas
When faced with getting the very thing you wanted and realizing that it's all wrong, how do you respond…
How do you shake the reputation that people gave you when they only know what they think you do without really getting to know you …

Awards
n/a

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 15+

Why I included this title...
Often the feelings of young men are overlooked, and this book is a great look inside the feelings of a guy.