The Burn Journals

Rating:
Summary: Great VOICE!
Review: An amazing story of an eighth grader who, in the first twenty pages, soaks his favorite black bathrobe in kerosene, steps into the shower, and lights himself on fire. The book is a journey of recovery, both from severe burns, and from depression. What astounded me most about this biography was the excellent way the author captured the voice of an eighth grader: from worries about his `religion' (the Ace of Spades) to concerns about his [...]. The voice, almost nonchalant and not terribly sad, left me wondering: what was the reason for suicide? Brent, as he struggles toward recovery, is often unsure himself.

Rating:
Summary: Wow...
Review: Brent Runyon has looked unflinchingly at his past self, and poured his memory onto paper in page-turning fashion. Reading The Burn Journals is like getting to read Runyon's diary - so intimate, so powerful, so sad, so incredibly real and honest it will make you cry. With humor and a succinct writing style, it draws you into Runyon's harrowing experience, from his frightening suicide attempt to the effort of him and his family to heal wounds both physical and emotional. Ultimately hopeful and hopefully inspiring to troubled teens, The Burn Journals is a beautifully crafted piece of work.

Rating:
Summary: Hard to put down...
Review: I finished this book two days after I purchased it. From the first page on, this was a very emotional and engrossing read. I consider a book worthwhile if it can make me laugh, cry, and rethink an idea. This book brought me to tears more than once, but the dialogue is also very funny at times. You can tell it is written by a young adult because of the humor and use of language, but this is not a bad thing. The dialogue is easy to grasp, yet full of emotion and meaning.

This book is a real page turner. None of it was boring. I never found myself wishing that a chapter was over, or flipping ahead to see how much I had left. It wasn't a chore to read, it was very enjoyable. I find books about accidents, trauma, and disabilities very interesting, so I was engrossed by the story- a young man lighting himself on fire and his struggle to live after the accident. This is a story of hope, courage, and the will to live. It helped me realize the value of life.

I recommend it to older teens, 16 and up.

Rating:
Summary: In the mind of a 14 year old boy
Review: If you've ever wondered what goes around in the head of a 14 year old -- you will find out in the Burn Journals. The frankness, folly,freakyness and funny world that turns upside down in the flash of a match. The mystery of what this young mans says out laud -- and what he actually thinks -- is the strength that is a reflection of this generation. The humor an warmth of Brent's and his family's journey will touch you.

There is also a very surreal quality to Brent's fateful decision that results in the remainder of the book becoming VERY REAL. It is a new genre and I recommend The Burn Journal.

Rating:
Summary: The Burn Journals
Review: The book was very moving. It was a very easy read because it was a teenager reading his views on the way things were going. Anyone could connect with the Author because I think at one point or another everyone was unhappy with their life. I would recomend this book to someone who is suidical because you get to see other peoples stories and that you aren't the only one suffering. I wouldn't recomment this book to someone who doesn't enjoy reading journal type writing. Overall this book was very good and I recomment it to everyone

Rating:
Summary: So Much More Than I Expected
Review: This book is so much more than an account of a 14 year old's attempted suicide. It is, at the same time, wickedly funny and poignantly insightful. It's about families and friends (and random celebrities), about the heady effects of testosterone and the hard edges of being cool. It is also about unspeakable pain and uncompromising love. Beautiful, simple language. Dialogue that will ring true to the ears of teens and parents. Insights only a 14 year old could have combined with perspective only an adult could give. Impossible not to laugh and cry.


Rating:
Summary: what a read
Review: this book succinctly takes you into the thoughts and mind of a 14 year old who's about to attempt suicide and then through the torturous recovery of a burn victim. while the subject matter is grim, the lesson runyon learns--the hard way--is invaluable; life, no matter how painful, is worth living. this is an incredible book and quite easy to read. the pages fly by and leave you wanting more when you reach the last one.