Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
This fast-paced read presents the frightening side of high schools today. The action starts by page five, when an unknown shooter is heard firing shots in the high school quad. Terrified students run screaming in all directions. One small group barricades themselves in the school store.
C. G. Watson begins her story on Monday, April 6. Through flashbacks, the reader learns about the lives of the students at Muir High School. Everyone gets to tell their story - the Jocks, the Freaks, the Techies, the Drama Queens, the Choirboys, etc. Each group has the potential to have spawned the mystery shooter.
Could the violence be the result of "roid rage," homophobia, a jealous girlfriend or boyfriend, or some nerd sick of teasing and taunts? All aspects of today's teens and their roller coaster ride called high school appear in this book. The characters, though fictional, are frighteningly similar to real life. Readers will recognize their fellow students and will probably shudder to think how close to home this story hits.
QUAD speaks to the problems faced by many teens and offers many opportunities for discussion of current topics. Every library needs a copy, and perhaps every school curriculum needs to adopt it as a learning tool in the classroom.
This fast-paced read presents the frightening side of high schools today. The action starts by page five, when an unknown shooter is heard firing shots in the high school quad. Terrified students run screaming in all directions. One small group barricades themselves in the school store.
C. G. Watson begins her story on Monday, April 6. Through flashbacks, the reader learns about the lives of the students at Muir High School. Everyone gets to tell their story - the Jocks, the Freaks, the Techies, the Drama Queens, the Choirboys, etc. Each group has the potential to have spawned the mystery shooter.
Could the violence be the result of "roid rage," homophobia, a jealous girlfriend or boyfriend, or some nerd sick of teasing and taunts? All aspects of today's teens and their roller coaster ride called high school appear in this book. The characters, though fictional, are frighteningly similar to real life. Readers will recognize their fellow students and will probably shudder to think how close to home this story hits.
QUAD speaks to the problems faced by many teens and offers many opportunities for discussion of current topics. Every library needs a copy, and perhaps every school curriculum needs to adopt it as a learning tool in the classroom.
