the_fenharel's review against another edition
5.0
This novel focuses on the despair of a teenager running in the same circles his parents did. Although he wants to break free from their failures, he finds himself joining them in a slow descent.
Hutch, the protagonist, has an inability to read or seek help for any of his problems. He prefers being on his own and letting the pieces fall as they may; until he gets into some serious trouble. Now, he has to attend a meeting with other troubled students and a Priest who shared the same path as them at one point. As Hutch learns the true value of friendship and kindness, his other relationships begin to change. His only friend which he dubbed 'Fat Nyla', is bullied for being smart and overweight. However, when Hutch begins to learn his true worth and reflect it upon the people in his life, she begins to learn hers too, and reach out for what she truly wants.
This book had me gripped from beginning to end. Each character was fascinating, from the Spanish girl who would make oddly sexual comments in class to the boy who had to leave town because his father was getting out of jail. These tiny side characters had so much to offer! The language was spot on, which meant the reader would understand the kind of barriers Hutch had to overcome.
This book is worth the buy! It shows an accurate display of struggling kids in the modern era and sends a message that sometimes all you need to do is listen to the people around you.
Hutch, the protagonist, has an inability to read or seek help for any of his problems. He prefers being on his own and letting the pieces fall as they may; until he gets into some serious trouble. Now, he has to attend a meeting with other troubled students and a Priest who shared the same path as them at one point. As Hutch learns the true value of friendship and kindness, his other relationships begin to change. His only friend which he dubbed 'Fat Nyla', is bullied for being smart and overweight. However, when Hutch begins to learn his true worth and reflect it upon the people in his life, she begins to learn hers too, and reach out for what she truly wants.
This book had me gripped from beginning to end. Each character was fascinating, from the Spanish girl who would make oddly sexual comments in class to the boy who had to leave town because his father was getting out of jail. These tiny side characters had so much to offer! The language was spot on, which meant the reader would understand the kind of barriers Hutch had to overcome.
This book is worth the buy! It shows an accurate display of struggling kids in the modern era and sends a message that sometimes all you need to do is listen to the people around you.
jlennidorner's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. I'm a "Catcher In The Rye" fan, so mentioning Holden Caulfield instantly wins bonus points with me! And I'm from PA, so the mention of Hershey's candy gets my chocolate heart all melty. But that's stuff that appeals to me, personally.
The characters are all written and developed with care. The reader is smack dab inside Hutch's messed-up head. He's a kid with problems. (Drunk, abusive mom, absentee dad, poverty and hunger, reading issues largely due to a need for eyeglasses, etc.) All the teens in this book have problems, some which are only hinted at. How his friendship with Nyla began, that right there makes him a hero. I imagine some of the Nylas of the world (smart teen girls who prefer books to make-up and are outcasted because of it) reading this book to a few of the Hutchs (who would get all defensive and say it isn't like their life, but it probably is).
If you enjoyed the movie Dangerous Minds, and would like a book told from the point of view of one of the students, here you go!
I'd also suggest requiring everyone in politics to give this book a read. Increase literacy! Reduce crime! The ideas for the making a better society might slip in their minds.
There's a lot of wisdom in these pages.
If I'd change one thing about this book, it would be at the end... I'd add "Maggie's suggested reading list."
The characters are all written and developed with care. The reader is smack dab inside Hutch's messed-up head. He's a kid with problems. (Drunk, abusive mom, absentee dad, poverty and hunger, reading issues largely due to a need for eyeglasses, etc.) All the teens in this book have problems, some which are only hinted at. How his friendship with Nyla began, that right there makes him a hero. I imagine some of the Nylas of the world (smart teen girls who prefer books to make-up and are outcasted because of it) reading this book to a few of the Hutchs (who would get all defensive and say it isn't like their life, but it probably is).
If you enjoyed the movie Dangerous Minds, and would like a book told from the point of view of one of the students, here you go!
I'd also suggest requiring everyone in politics to give this book a read. Increase literacy! Reduce crime! The ideas for the making a better society might slip in their minds.
There's a lot of wisdom in these pages.
If I'd change one thing about this book, it would be at the end... I'd add "Maggie's suggested reading list."
tyrean's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! I just finished Double Negative five minutes ago, and now I'm sorting through that after the book "wow" moment.
C. Lee Mckenzie knows how to portray real people with real problems in real conversations and situations in a way that reels readers in and then takes them on an incredibly journey of the heart and mind.
Hutch is a gritty, attitude-filled teen with problems. At first, I was hesitant to go on a journey with him. He's tough and almost unlikeable until he shows his heart of gold underneath all the mess of his life. He's worth the chances given to him, and his friends, some of whom seem completely unlikeable at first, are worth those chances too.
I loved this story of heartache and triumph. The relationships and the characters leapt off the pages and wound their way into my imagination.
Double Negative tackles issues like drug use, language use, drunk and abusive parenting, death, love, friendship, trust, and illiteracy.
C. Lee Mckenzie knows how to portray real people with real problems in real conversations and situations in a way that reels readers in and then takes them on an incredibly journey of the heart and mind.
Hutch is a gritty, attitude-filled teen with problems. At first, I was hesitant to go on a journey with him. He's tough and almost unlikeable until he shows his heart of gold underneath all the mess of his life. He's worth the chances given to him, and his friends, some of whom seem completely unlikeable at first, are worth those chances too.
I loved this story of heartache and triumph. The relationships and the characters leapt off the pages and wound their way into my imagination.
Double Negative tackles issues like drug use, language use, drunk and abusive parenting, death, love, friendship, trust, and illiteracy.
chrysfey's review against another edition
5.0
Hutch is always in the wrong place at the wrong time and making the wrong decisions time and time again. He is stuck with an abusive, neglectful mother while his dad is hauling a big rig from here to there. He struggles with school work, steals food because he's hungry, gets arrested, and receives second chances. Through this story we see him grow and decide to swim rather than sink. He learns from those around him and develops a sense of normalcy.
My favorite characters were Nyla and Maggie. All of the characters, especially Hutch, reminded me of students I knew in middle and high school. I've always wondered what happened to them. Now I have hope that things turned out okay.
*I won a copy of this book. This review is 100% honest.
My favorite characters were Nyla and Maggie. All of the characters, especially Hutch, reminded me of students I knew in middle and high school. I've always wondered what happened to them. Now I have hope that things turned out okay.
*I won a copy of this book. This review is 100% honest.
ltg584's review
5.0
I could tell within pages that this book was pure genius and it only became more apparent the deeper I was pulled into the story. I devoured it as quickly as I could… and now it’s over! :( I wish there was some way that it could be a series, just so I could have more! I have already been perusing the author’s other works, debating over which one to read next.
The best part about this book was the progression, not just of the characters, but of the writing style. It literally shifts throughout the book as Hutch grows and changes. Hutch is an easy character to root for, but only because we can see the truth of who he is from the beginning. I can easily imagine how hard it would be for anyone on the outside to get to know him, or even to give him a chance.
The secondary characters are just as amazing as Hutch, and the tenuous connections between them all in the beginning strengthen throughout the story. Nyla is probably my favorite, with her soft spoken demeanor and low self esteem. I wanted to protect and encourage her. Along with all the other misguided miscreants!
I was pleasantly surprised when this book didn’t degrade into swears, as many teens often have a tendency to fall back on that kind of language. Maybe that makes it not quite believable, since it’s not realistic to think that these kids never swear. BUT it made this book more approachable for parents, and allowed the writing style to shine.
I can’t recommend this book enough. <3
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The best part about this book was the progression, not just of the characters, but of the writing style. It literally shifts throughout the book as Hutch grows and changes. Hutch is an easy character to root for, but only because we can see the truth of who he is from the beginning. I can easily imagine how hard it would be for anyone on the outside to get to know him, or even to give him a chance.
The secondary characters are just as amazing as Hutch, and the tenuous connections between them all in the beginning strengthen throughout the story. Nyla is probably my favorite, with her soft spoken demeanor and low self esteem. I wanted to protect and encourage her. Along with all the other misguided miscreants!
I was pleasantly surprised when this book didn’t degrade into swears, as many teens often have a tendency to fall back on that kind of language. Maybe that makes it not quite believable, since it’s not realistic to think that these kids never swear. BUT it made this book more approachable for parents, and allowed the writing style to shine.
I can’t recommend this book enough. <3
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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