Cindy S. (cindoid) reviewed The Burn Journals (Ira Children's Book Awards (International Reading Association)) on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting, well written. Didn't give as much insight into teen suicide as I had hoped. The author also seemed to have been "cured" much more easily than I've generally thought possible.
Michelle F. reviewed The Burn Journals (Ira Children's Book Awards (International Reading Association)) on + 13 more book reviews
Excellent book
Nancy A. (Chocoholic) reviewed The Burn Journals (Ira Children's Book Awards (International Reading Association)) on + 291 more book reviews
At times darkly comic and other times heart-wrenching, this is the memoir of eighth-grader Brent Runyon who has been quietly struggling with depression. After one particularly bad day at school, Brent decides to end it all and sets himself on fire, burning over 85% of his body. This happens in the first 25 pages or so of the book; the rest of the book is devoted to his slow recovery process. This book is not my usual reading fare; I usually read books in the horror genre. Having said that, certain parts of this book were really hard for me to read and readers with a queasy stomach are advised that certain scenes are incredibly difficult to read and visualize...there was more than one place where I put the book down and considered quitting it. In the end, I'm glad I stuck with this book and I'm glad that Brent was able to make the recovery that he has.
