Week 6: Phsychology explored

Title: Cracked
Author: K.M. Walton
ISBN: 9781442429161
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Copyright Year: 2012
Reading Level: grade 8 and up
Themes: bullying, teens,suicide, mental illness
Awards: None that I know of

Thumbs Up or Down?: Thumbs Up

Book Trailer: 


My Summary: This book is the story of a young man named Victor who is is being bullied by another boy named Bull. Being bullied by Bull and having parents who are very hard on him drives Victor to take a bottle of pills in an attempt to commit suicide. Victor's attempt lands him in the psych ward. Much to his surprise he soon gains a roommate, unfortunately the roommate ends up being Bull. It turns out that Bull has his own set of problems. Bull has been abused by his grandfather who gets drunk and beats him. Bull decides that he has finally had enough and is driven to kill his grandfather. The two boys are put together in psych ward to work out their problems. In the end to two boys reconcile and find the love for which they were so desperate.


My Review: I thought this book was a good quick read and I enjoyed the realistic points of view of both the boys in the novel. If you are looking for a feel good novel about happy lives of teenagers this is NOT it! This novel provides a fabulous vignette into the lives teens and some of the psychological struggles they can endure. This is a great book that can send the message to a teen that they are not alone and that other teens have felt exactly as they do. The author captured the characters beautifully and portrayed them in a way we feel sympathy for both of them, even the bully. Well done K.M. Walton!