The Boy in the Basement by Susan Shaw

 

Shaw, S. (2004). The Boy in the Basement. Dutton Juvenile: New York.

Plot

  Charlie has been imprisoned by his violent father for years because he was "bad". When he accidentally escapes, he is thrown into a world full of holidays and love but he is still struggling to feel safe. Through Charlie's first person account we see an emotionally and physically scarred boy who still longs for the love of his abusive parents and wonders if he will ever be happy despite the new safe life he has been given. 

Review

  This book reminded me of a tone downed version of A Child Called It. It had that same "I want to throw this book against the wall" feeling and tears when you read about the horrors Charlie has to endure yet he still has the ability to forgive and love his abusive parents. Readers scream for justice as the details of the abuse is outlined, you want to cry when good people mend and save Charlie and you want to campaign against the horrors you read about in this book. With the popularity of A Child Called It this book is better suited for the tween level and readers can still learn about survival and hope.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Interest Level

Tween/ 4-7th grade/ 9-12 years

Similar Books

Black Eyed Suzie bySusan Shaw

Gillyflower by Ellen Howard

Promise Not to Tell by Carolyn Polese

Awards

• New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age 2005
• A Junior Library Guild Selection
• Texas Tayshas Reading List
• Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection
• Starred Kirkus Review

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Hatchet. By Gary Paulsen. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, [2000], c1987. 195 pages.

Plot:
The story revolves around Brian who is 13 years old. He is flying over the Canadian wilderness when the pilot of the small plane dies of a heart attack and Brian somehow manages to guide the plane into a crash landing which he survives. Now hundreds of miles off course and no civilization evident he must find the will and the means to live. The book takes its name from the only tool Brian has, a hatchet his mother gifted him just before he left. Immediately Brian is confronted with providing food and shelter for himself without ever having had survival training. Each day presents incredible challenges and a few near death experiences. The story covers the 54 days Brian survives and the life changing experience he encounters before winter sets in.

Review/Personal thoughts:
I was captivated by this story. In addition to the excellent turns of events that kept me interested in Brian’s survival, there is another story revealed through Brian’s thoughts which reveal a “secret’, that only he carried, which involved his mother’s involvement with another man that eventually leads to the divorce of his parents. The book is well-written, capture’s the reader’s interest and explores the themes of survival and divorce. I would definitely recommend this book and I think it will appeal more to boys than girls.


Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level: 6.0 Interest level: Ages 11 and up

Awards:
Newberry Honor Book, 1988
ALA Notable Children’s Book
ALA Best of the Best for Young Adults
"Booklist" Editors' Choice