Shadow of a Doubt

Rating:
Summary: A great teenage read!
Review: Being a middle school librarian I'm always searching for good books kids can relate to and enjoy reading, this is one. The personna of Shadow is what our gothic-type students portray, and yet, many times is a facade. The older brother returning after missing for 7 years shows the tender thread that holds all families together. His murder charge and the facts surrounding it, give a good idea as to how difficult it is to make it in the world alone and how quickly what you love can be taken from you. And, finally, Shadow realizing that he is capable of change - in clothes, in attitude, and in friendship - shows our students that change is always an option.

Rating:
Summary: A great teenage read!
Review: Being a middle school librarian I'm always searching for good books kids can relate to and enjoy reading, this is one. The personna of Shadow is what our gothic-type students portray, and yet, many times is a facade. The older brother returning after missing for 7 years shows the tender thread that holds all families together. His murder charge and the facts surrounding it, give a good idea as to how difficult it is to make it in the world alone and how quickly what you love can be taken from you. And, finally, Shadow realizing that he is capable of change - in clothes, in attitude, and in friendship - shows our students that change is always an option.

Rating:
Summary: Shadow of a Doubt
Review: Shadow of a Doubt is one of the best books I have ever read. Shadow hasn't heard from his brother ever since he ran away, 7 years ago. Now, his brother is back in the picture and Shadow isn't willing to forgive him, let alone deal with the crimes his brother has done. You will see Shadow unfold into a better person. I loved this book.

Rating:
Summary: One to Buy for Your Library
Review: Though Shadow of a Doubt, by S. L. Rottman, will appeal to both male and female young adult readers on several levels, adults will also profit from reading this excellently written story about a 15 year old boy whose brother returns to the family after being gone for 8 years. The book deals with family dynamics and issues of trust. The main character dresses in black and we see the pre-judgment people have made expecting him to be like his brother who had made a reputation for himself in high school before his disappearance. There will be families who will be able to identify with the grief and sacrifices that go along with someone in the family facing incarceration. We can see the tension between the main character and his parents and understand what is going on, why the mother is so over-protective. We see the value of friendship and the hope of parents changing. We see the power of respect(...) there is the hope of a shadow of a doubt when the older brother goes to trial. There is also a little love interest. I read the book in one sitting (unusual for me). This book is on my highly recommend list.

Rating:
Summary: What Happens When A Runaway Returns as a Murderer?
Review: When Daniel returns to the Thompson household after running away seven years previously at fifteen, Shadow's life is forced to radically change for the second time. Shadow, named because of the way he used to follow his brother around, has enough going on in his life as he begins High School, and things are further strained in the Thompson household by the fact that Daniel has been accused of murder. With Shadow, his mother and father, each reacting in different ways to Daniel's return Rottman vividly portrays the intense, and sometimes contradictory, emotional journey that the stress of Daniel's return causes on each of the four family members. Teenagers will be able to relate to Shadow's excellent narration. For a book that does an excellent job of examining an emotionally complex issue, readers might be frustrated with the ending, which too neatly resolves some conflicts while intentionally leaving other issues unresolved.

Rating:
Summary: What Happens When A Runaway Returns as a Murderer?
Review: When Daniel returns to the Thompson household after running away seven years previously at fifteen, Shadow's life is forced to radically change for the second time. Shadow, named because of the way he used to follow his brother around, has enough going on in his life as he begins High School, and things are further strained in the Thompson household by the fact that Daniel has been accused of murder. With Shadow, his mother and father, each reacting in different ways to Daniel's return Rottman vividly portrays the intense, and sometimes contradictory, emotional journey that the stress of Daniel's return causes on each of the four family members. Teenagers will be able to relate to Shadow's excellent narration. For a book that does an excellent job of examining an emotionally complex issue, readers might be frustrated with the ending, which too neatly resolves some conflicts while intentionally leaving other issues unresolved.