Mason

Mason
By: Thomas Pendleton

256p
HarperTeen

ISBN-10: 0061177369
ISBN-13: 978-0061177361


Annotation:
When a sadistic high school student tries to cover up a murder by brutally beating an innocent girl, his mentally challenged but psychically gifted brother, Mason, uses his powers to bring about justice in their sleepy Louisiana town.

Summary:
In Pendelton’s first novel we are introduced to Mason; a mentally challenged young man and his sadistic drug dealing brother Gene. As the story opens we are exposed to the graphic image of a nine year old Gene attempting to asphyxiate his resented “special” younger brother, only to be stopped in time by his parents, both of which are gone after that fateful night.

Fast forward; Gene and Mason are now in high school, Mason is constantly harassed and bullied by his classmates and his brother’s friend much to the enjoyment of Gene. Mason’s only saving grace is Rene a childhood friend of his, a friend that is a whole lot of danger. Little does Rene know that she is putting herself at risk by befriending Mason, risk at the hands of Gene.
Mason also has a very special ability; he is able to project lifelike images into other people’s mind. When Rene gets brutally attacked by a group of high school students, orchestrated by Gene, it is up to Mason and his special ability to avenge her.

Pendleton creates interesting well developed characters from the first page. The story is quick paced and manages to keep the readers attention. The tension is thick in the air once the final confrontation is at hand. Readers will be hooked, and unable to put down this chilling young adult novel.

Monster

Monster

By: Walter Dean Myers

p. 281
Publisher Scholastic

ISBN-10: 0064407314
ISBN-13: 978-0064407311

Annotation: While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the courtroom in the form of a film script as he tries to come to terms with the course his life has taken

Summary:
Imagine you find yourself on trial for murder. What did you do to end up in such a dire situation? How could your life have gone so incredibly wrong? What if you were actually innocent and just in the wrong place at the wrong time? These are only a few of the questions that Steve Harmon asks himself. Steve an aspiring film maker, tells us his story in a style more like a film script than a novel. This literary work explores prisons and jail in ways many of us will never truly experience.

We are introduced to a world of harsh realities and cruelty. With such lines as "The best time to cry is at night, when the lights are out and someone is screaming for help" we are very much aware that this is no ordinary Young Adult novel. This novel will stay with you for years to come and constantly remind you that prison is a place you never want to have to stay in.

Through this work we must explore the ideas of peer pressure, and culpability to truly understand if Steve is indeed the "monster" that everyone views him as.