Review by Savannah Keaton -- A Bloody Book by Chris Bowen

[Savannah Keaton]

[Following is a volunteer review of "A Bloody Book" by Chris Bowen.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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To begin, please ignore the summary and read A Bloody Book by Chris Owen. It doesn't do this book justice. If you are a teacher, principle, daycare worker, cafeteria lady, janitor, or just anyone who works with children, then you need to read this! Especially if you work in a Title One School. There are so many students I know that fit into the characters in this book, that it really struck home. If you have students that give you a hard time, this will really make you rethink how you view them and what happens when they leave the sanctuary of school.

The story revolves around a young man named Maxx. Like many kids, he doesn't have the idle childhood and the adults in his life who should be helping him and his sister fail to do so. Dad is on drugs, his mom is a battered wife who won't leave the situation, Maxx's teachers ignore obvious signs of abuse, and many others fail to see his sweet spirit. Maxx is a very intelligent young man, but due to a lack of respect from teachers, he doesn't realize this. He has spent his whole life being put down, and Maxx doesn't see a way out of his situation. This really affects many of the decisions he makes as the story progresses. Maxx is a very kind, sensitive young man who has been molded into being a rebellious teenager by the very people who should have been looking out for him. It is a heartbreaking story that makes you hurt for what could have been. It's also a call to action for those of us who work with children and have the chance to make a difference, no matter how brief.

I gave this book a four out of four stars because of Chris Owen's uncanny ability to get into the mind of a child who is in this situation. It might be a work of fiction, but there are countless amounts of children being put through this every single day. The writing was also incredibly detailed. I was pulled in immediately by Maxx's story and had a difficult time putting it down. In spite of Maxx's claims that he isn't smart, the way he observes those around him and tries to protect those who can't protect themselves is inspirational; This, in spite of the fact that Maxx had no one defending him. If you are looking for a quick read that will make you think, you've found it.

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A Bloody Book
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