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Summary: When Jeff Comes Home,by Cathrine Atkins
Review: "When Jeff Comes Home,"by Cathrine Atkins, is a thrilling and exciting book that keeps you on your toes.Atkins' discription of what Jeff,the main character, had to go through is excellent.She is a brilliant writter and really manages to get to your emotions.
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Summary: Rouses empathy
Review: A family's prayer is answered When Jeff Comes Home after being held captive by a sadistic pedophile. This is the story of Jeff's struggle to cope with his pain and move on with his life. The emotional scars run deep. Shame, guilt, fear, depression and self-hatred haunt him. Catherine Atkins did an excellent job of putting the reader in Jeff's shoes. A sensitive portrayal of a young victim of sexual abuse, this is an emotional book sure to rouse empathy.
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Summary: Painful, scary, disturbing, and real --
Review: As a librarian, I just read and reviewed this book as part of my job. I was glad that I also discussed it with other colleagues, and got teen comments about it as well. The book is very well written, fast to read, realistic, scary, and disturbing -- especially from my vantage point as a mother. Colleagues have already noted that it has been very well received by teens, some of whom have come up to tell us so. This is high praise for a 230-page young adult novel. The story is told in the first person, by Jeff himself, and his pain is so real and so palpable that I can't imagine it having been written any better. The tense mood of the book never lets up; there is very little lightness or humor to give the reader a chance to breathe. This technique would not have been my choice, but I can see that it will keep teen readers going right up to the end. I have only a few slight criticisms about the story: What really compelled Jeff's kidnapper to bring him home? Does this really ever happen? And, why is there no mention of a counselor or therapist for Jeff? If my son had come home so obviously disturbed and in pain, my first phonecall would have been to seek professional help. I don't quite understand that omission in the story. I hope it really isn't standard police operating procedure NOT to include the help of a therapist for an individual like this! -SMS
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Summary: Astounding story of a kidnapped and abused teen
Review: Atkins's first novel brings to light the effects of a kidnapping of a 13-year old boy. After he returns home, his kidnapper is suspected of molesting the teen, which the boy strongly denies. The rumors that ensue haunt the victim and he is forced to confront his friends and his father. An excellent story for any teen who has faced similar problems.
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Summary: Wow!
Review: Catherine Atkins has done herself proud. Jeff's story is the one we never hear, often because most 'Jeff's' don't come home at all and partly because living through a hell like that once is more than enough. Jeff's fear and self-loathing is painful to read, but gripping. I agree with another poster that suggested more than one point of view, I could see a sequel written from the father, Charlie, or even Vinnie's view point. What will happen when 17 year old Jeff gets a girlfriend? Will the cruel stigma leave him? How will he cope as he enter's adulthood. What was life like for Charlie and Brian while their parents were searching high and low for Jeff? How did Connie and Dad hold their family together during that period? I'm looking forward to Ms. Atkin's next work, whether it's about the Harts or not.
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Summary: A tough but important read
Review: Even a trigger warning could not have prepared me for the gut-wrenching reality of this story. When I was 12 and 13, I was abused repeatedly by a knife-wielding counselor at a summer camp. I just can't imagine how the author managed to get into Jeff's head the way she did and KNOW so much about how it really is. Maybe the author's name is really Jeff Atkins and this autobiographical? If not, I'm amazed at Ms. Atkins' powers of perception. If this never happened to you and you want to know what it's like, read this book. Just have a box of tissues handy.John M.
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Summary: sensitive and realistic portrait of victims
Review: I agree with other readers that this is book is well worth the time to read, and will add that the authors sensitive and realistic view points should make this novel required reading material for highschools. My only disappointment was too many loose ends and unfinished story lines. I would hope that a sequel to this novel would address not so much the legal aspects of the story, but explore the continuing realtionships between family members as well as Jeff and his old friend Vinnie. The character of Vinnie should be given a larger voice. Using the Jeff's first person POV was extermely effective, but I would also like to experience other characters POV.
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Summary: Amazing!
Review: I am 15 years old. I was 14 when i read this book, and i still continue to read it every know and then. It definately intrigued me. This book was so good i had my friend read it and she also enjoyed it as well. My advice to you is: if you like mystery novels, or like to be intrigued GET THIS BOOK!
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Summary: When Jeff Comes home
Review: i am a high school freshman whom has just read this book for class. This is one of the better books that i have read in a while.The characters are very carfully constructed. The only problem that i had with the book is that i wish the author would have written more.it kinda leaves you at a cliff hanger to imagion the rest of the book for yourself.
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Summary: When Jeff Comes home
Review: i am a high school freshman whom has just read this book for class. This is one of the better books that i have read in a while.The characters are very carfully constructed. The only problem that i had with the book is that i wish the author would have written more.it kinda leaves you at a cliff hanger to imagion the rest of the book for yourself.
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