Crash into MeBy Albert Borris
2009
257 pages
“I’ve tried to kill myself six times; seven if you count walking down the median strip near the trucks and thinking of jumping in front of them.”
Summary: After trying to kill himself yet again, Owen meets Jin Ae in the hospital. When they are released they stay in touch online, where they also meet Audrey and Frank, two more teens who also want to die. Together they decide to make a pact; take a summer road trip and kill themselves together at the end in Death Valley. However, spending so much time together on the trip results in Owen caring for people for the first time in his life, and he starts to question whether or not he can actually go through with it. A poignant story of heartbreak, friendship, self-discovery, solace and strength.
Review: Owen’s story was captivating from the beginning. The frankness by which the teens discuss suicide is haunting and adds considerable honesty to a difficult story to tell. While sometimes difficult to read, the story is engrossing. The reader quickly becomes attached to the quirky, vulnerable characters and is emotionally invested in the final outcome. There is also the element of the roadtrip and quirky celebrity suicide facts that add a bit of dimension. There are times of deep unbelievable sorrow and times of friendship, fun, love and light heartedness. This complex story will appeal to a wide audience.
This is Albert Borris’ debut novel
If you liked Crash Into Me you might also enjoy: By the Time you Read This I’ll be Dead by Julie Anne Peters, Impulse by Ellen Hopkins, Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
Additional Info:
Ontario Association for Suicide Prevention. This is a list of Crisis and Contact numbers throughout Ontario
gURL – great website just for teens, has information and resources on suicide, bullying and other difficult issues teen face
Author website: http://www.albertborris.com/
Rating: W3/4 C3/4 P3/4 O3.5/4 PP2.5/4 (because it’s issue fiction) CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: JS
Author website: http://www.albertborris.com/
Rating: W3/4 C3/4 P3/4 O3.5/4 PP2.5/4 (because it’s issue fiction) CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: JS
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3 comments:
I've seen this book at the store and wondered if it was good, now i HAVE to buy it :)
Great review! I wish I had loved this book more. I thought the issue was tackled very well, but I found it so hard to get into Owen's head...or any of their heads for that matter :)
I really liked this one as well. The openness of the dialogue really got me thinking. It was a hard read but a great one that tackled a very difficult to discuss topic!
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