Book Description
Review
From Publishers Weekly
This engrossing book portrays how easily even
"good" kids can lose control of themselves and
do cruel and horrible things. Seven
junior-high-school students (all "second-bests")
led by narrator Jared and best friend Cheryl
form the Shadow Club to get back at the "unbeatables"
who make their lives miserable. Revenge tastes
very sweet when they play humiliating practical
jokes on all the school's first-bests, including
track star Austin, Jared's nemesis. Any qualms
that Jared has about the club get tossed aside
when he's acknowledged as president. And, though
he calls a temporary halt to the pranks, someone
starts playing really dangerous tricks. Events
come to a head when Austin is seriously injured.
Sure that school weirdo Tyson is the culprit,
the Shadow Club captures him. Jared leads the
others in beating him up, then almost causes the
boy's death. In the thrilling denouement, Jared
learns where the blame really lies. Shusterman
vividly conveys the overwhelming qualities of
violent emotions and chillingly shows how a
group of "nice" people can become an ugly,
vengeful mob. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up A group of competitive high-school
students, all second best in their areas of
talent, form a secret club in order to pull
anonymous practical jokes on their rivals. The
pranks, which at first are humiliating but
harmless, escalate to the point that they result
in vandalism and injury and nearly cause a
student's death. Shusterman's focus is on how
the actions of these teens create a power that
feeds on a previously hidden cruel or evil side
of their personalities. This is strong material,
and sections of the book have a punch that
matches the subject. The dialogue of the teens,
their concerns, and especially their feelings,
are on target. Unfortunately, most of the book
lacks suspense. The club members believe that an
unpopular student who has eavesdropped on them
is responsible for some of the more vicious
pranks, but this is such an obvious red herring
that the drama of the situation is lost. This
book is neither as complex nor as well written
as Robert Cormier's novels, but as its premise
and tone hold interest, The Shadow Club may
appeal to Cormier's fans and those readers who
are not yet ready for his books. David Gale,
``School Library Journal''
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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