Twisted

It’s been exactly a month since my last post when I finished my personal inquiry project for my class. After finishing the rest of my finals, I’ve been incredibly busy with very important things like Netflix binging, catching up on my zzz’s, knitting bad scarves, celebrating Christmas (Happy Holidays, y’all!), reading other books besides contemporary realistic YA, and other activities of critical importance.  Oh, and I’ve been trying to finish this book.

This is my first book by Laurie Halse Anderson–I know, I know. How can I have a blog about contemporary realistic YA and not have read Speak? I just haven’t, okay? It’s on my bookshelf. I’ll get there, I promise.  Twisted is Anderson’s fourth novel and won LA Best Book for Young Adults 2008, ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults 2008, International Reading Association Top Ten of 2007, and New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age, and became a The New York Times best seller.

Twisted
by Laurie Halse Anderson
250 p. Viking Juvenile. 2007.
Gr 9 Up.

Once invisible and slightly nerdy, Tyler Miller returns to high school for his senior year after a summer of “character building” physical labor following a graffiti prank, as a result his physique and reputation both recieve a boost.  His physical growth attracts the attention of ultra-popular Bethany Milbury, sister of his worst enemy, Chip, and daughter of his father’s boss.  After an incident at a party, Tyler must contend with the police, a verbally and emotionally abusive father, a principal still angry about the graffiti, and new enemies at school.  Anderson captures Tyler’s struggles with responsibility, integrity, and what it means to be a manwith honesty and vulnerability.  As Tyler’s emotional instability mounts, he reaches a crisis point in a poignant and rousing scene.  With short chapters tackling issues of sex, alcohol, school, and family, this compelling novel will stay with readers long after the book is finished.

“I’m not the problem here . . . I’m tired of feeling like I am.”

The Feels

I picked up this book looking for an emotionally-charged contemporary novel that captured the male point of view.

“Everybody told me to be a man. Nobody told me how.”

This probably isn’t my favorite book I’ve read this year. I sympathized with Tyler’s turmoil, and was at the edge of my seat as the tension mounted, but I myself struggled to identify with Tyler.  Despite some of his disturbing and cringe-worthy thoughts, Tyler is hard not to root for, because he ultimately feels like one of the “good guys.”  The book deals with serious problems modern teens face and is a good source for entertainment as well as serious discussion.

I definitely plan to read more from Anderson.

The Outsiders

It would be almost impossible to talk about contemporary realism in the young adult literature without talking about Hinton’s The Outsiders. When her book was published, “there was no young-adult market.”  It was a story for teenagers, about teenagers, written by a teenager.  At the age of 15, Susan Eloise Hinton was frustrated with the lack of realistic fiction for teens and began writing a book that transcended the previously established boundaries in its portrayal of violence, class conflict, and prejudice.  With its frank depictions of adolescents, The Outsiders revolutionized the way young adult literature was written, as there was suddenly a demand by teenagers for stories that reflected their realities.  The book has gone on to sell more than ten million copies and remain the best-selling young adult novel of all time.  In 1983, it was adapted into a movie starring Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, and Ralph Maccio.  The movie was directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

The Outsiders
by S.E. Hinton
192 p. Viking Press. 1967
Gr. 6 Up

14-year old Ponyboy Curtis is a member of the “Greasers” gang, a group of underprivileged teenagers living on the east side of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The greasers are frequently under attack by the socs (short for “socals”), the rival gang of rich kids living on the west side.  Ponyboy, an orphan, lives with his brothers Sodapop and Darry.  When a fight among the two rivals goes bad, Ponyboy’s friend ends up committing manslaughter. Terrified and desperate, Ponyboy finds himself on the run to hideout.  Throughout his journey, Ponyboy discovers that “Things are rough all over” regardless of socioeconomic status.  Honest and gritty, the novel touches on many themes: bridging the gap between rich and poor, honor and loyalty, and the importance of youth and innocence.

The Feels

I have so many feels about this book.

Hinton created characters are sympathetic with their ill-fated lives facing fear and violence, poverty, and absentee, non-existent, or abusive parents.  But there is this pervading sense of camaraderie that exists among the boys.  Ponyboy’s honest and vulnerable narrative makes the story more powerful and lends credibility to teenage readers.

And don’t even say “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold,” to me, because I may very well lose it.

“Stay gold” is, of course, a reference to Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” which the boys apply to the idea of youthful innocence.  Ponyboy is essentially a good and smart kid who is trapped by his environment, and his friend Johnny wanted him to remain pure.  I think the message of staying true to yourself despite your circumstances is something that probably resonates with many teens.

It’s easy to see why this book is still so popular, because it addresses so many issues that are timeless, especially the need teens feel to be accepted. Plus, everyone loves a good “rumble,” right?

And I, like Ponyboy, think we could all watch more sunsets.

See also:

• “‘The Outsiders’: 40 Years Later“
• “S.E. Hinton and the Y.A. Debate“