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Summary: Powerful storyline, redeeming messages--a must-read!
Review: A. M. Jenkins' handling of tough issues such as homosexuality, alcoholism, and parental abandonment in her Delacorte winning novel, Breaking Boxes, makes this a book well worth reading. Dealing with such difficult subjects could easily result in a dark novel, but by weaving in redeeming messages of hope and friendship, Jenkins creates a compelling novel that kids will appreciate for its candor.
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Summary: Breaking Boxes - Breaking the Barries in Teenage Readings.
Review: Breaking Boxes clearly brakes the traditional barrier in teenage readings. It effectively deals with contemporary issues incl. alcoholism, domestic violence and homosexuality that are often avoided or dealt relunctantly in young adult literature. AM Jenkins's potrayal of the characters are all thorough and emotionally touching. It's an excellent reading for both young adults and adults alike.Personally I would include Breaking Boxes as one of my old-time favorites.
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Summary: One of the best young adult books out there!
Review: Breaking Boxes is a very touching story that I think many teens can relate to. In this book you get introduced to Charlie Calmont, and his older brother Trent. They live in a poor section of town, but that's alright with Charlie because he's never really had many friends. Then, at school the rich kids start picking on him, he ends up getting into a fight and is sent to the office. He and Brandon, who was also in the fight, get in school suspension. Before either one realizes what is happening they become friends. Charlie gets a little experience about the world Brandon has to live in and vice versa. Brandon starts to give him rides in his silver Corvette and never stops to ask questions when Charlie waves at this little blonde kid on the corner of his block. He and Brandon become close enough that Charlie reveals his deepest secret about Trent to him, and Brandon turns away. One last fight at school brings them back together again, and makes Charlie realize that he does actually care about things.
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Summary: A powerful, unflinching look at some tough teen issues
Review: Charlie is such a wonderful character -- he reminds me so much of what it was like to be a teenage boy, while at the same time he is so complex and interesting...a study in contrasts at times, which makes him so more real for the reader. I like the way he gathers his inner resources to cope with challenges on his own....I know YA books these days are supposed to provide the reader with everything right down to 1-800 helplines -- but this book is much more realistic than that, which is one reason it is so good. Because so often in life there IS no help that is readily available or even apparent, and it is through dealing with these challenges that a person's inner strength is grown and matured. I am astonished at A.M. Jenkins's ability -- especially as a first-time author -- to get into this character's head so perfectly. I also love the interplay between Charlie, his brother Trent, and Charlie's new friend, Chase. An emotional, satisfying read!
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Summary: Philemon thinks it's awesome!
Review: I felt that "Breaking Boxes," by A.M. Jenkins is one of the best books I have ever read. Interesting and emotional characters that you can really get into, a very good and believable plot, good settings, this book has it all. I could not put this book down, and finished it in less than a week. I would urge all young adult readers to check out this book.
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Summary: great book for teenagers!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I really loved this book a lot. The reason I liked it so much is I could relate to the characters because a similar thing that happened to Charlie Calmont, happened to me. I think this book is very realistic, and while it displays the everyday issues teens have to deal with, it also shows how two different people (or so it seems) could have so much in common and end up being friends. I also really liked the ending.
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Summary: It was something...
Review: I thought it was nice, and only nice, mind you. It wasn't that the writing was bad. Heaven's no- the writing was brilliant, for god's sake, that was the best part! However, the book beside the writing- meaning the plot, the charactors, the setting- was a little on the boring side for my taste and I'm only saying that because the book is somewhat long and yet nothing really interesting happens, but don't let something silly like that stop you from reading it.
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Summary: Uncompromising in its realistic portrayal
Review: Progress doesn't always come in enormous leaps and bounds, and it comes harder for some than others. By the conclusion of 'Breaking Boxes,' protagonist Charlie Calmont has made progress- in some small, cautious but positive steps. The novel may strike some people as bleak because it doesn't compromise in portraying the world of its characters in honest terms. Young adult readers could use more, not fewer, works of the quality of 'Breaking Boxes.' If you want a fun, moving, candid novel about the struggles of being open and trusting both to oneself and others, 'Breaking Boxes' is right for you. If you want empty moralizing, look elsewhere.
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Summary: No resolution of plot or character flaws
Review: Since this book won the Delacourte Press contest, I kept telling myself there would surely be something redeeming about it. I read the entire book and still felt Charlie did not change in a positive manner, too many loose ends in the plot were left in a negative way with no resolution, and I did not LIKE Charlie at all--very important for a book aimed at teens. Beware the explicit language and sex. I will NOT put this one on my school library shelves!
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Summary: Good story from male point of view
Review: So many of the teen stories of today are from the female's point of view and it is nice to see one from the male point. I liked this story because I thought it was typical of the way that the "popular" kids treat others who might not be as fortunate as they are. I liked the book and would recommend it to anyone.
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