abscarlet's review against another edition
3.0
My opinion of this book is kinda conflicting. The storyline was great. The summary held such potential. However, I️ don’t particularly like the author’s style. I️ felt like I️ was reading a middle school book with a plot meant for a well grown adult. If the writing had been a bit better, there’s no doubt that this would have been a five star rating. The storyline was phenomenal.
jcarsrud's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 This was a great quick read. I really liked Kip/Wade’s story and felt sorry for him fairly quickly. These types of crimes/accidents? are sensationalized, and rightly so, but seeing the crime from the perpetrators’ eyes was intriguing. The italicization for Sam’s thoughts was slightly confusing. I think the author could have done away w that completely and still had a great story.
theycallmerash's review against another edition
3.0
Decent book but wasn't my favorite. I had to reread a lot of stuff to understand what the author meant.
georgia_sara93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
When Kip McFarlane was 9 years old he set 7 year old Bobby Clarke on fire. Kip gets a second chance in life after spending time in a facility. But do second chances really work? Why did he set Bobby Clarke on fire? Can you ever change who you are? Can you be trusted again?
This is a YA book that I loved when I was a teenager 15 years ago. And reading it in tandem with The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog by Dr Bruce Perry as coincidental timing made it all the more interesting in some ways. I don’t think the Right Behind You is accurate or revolutionary and some of the language is most definitely out dated. But I actually kind of loved it once again? Maybe there’s just something about second chances that I’m just a sucker for if there’s a redemption arc. Who knows. Either way. Loved it as a teen, loved it again in a different way I suspect as an adult.
TW: cruelty and death of animals, murder
cassizzle's review against another edition
2.0
Very slow. Kinda creepy. But not in a good way. I really didn't like this book. I feel like the back cover mislead me. I wasn't what i thought it was going to be at all. I mean, there are worse books but i would never recommend this book to anyone.
mychala's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death and Violence
Moderate: Addiction and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty
logel's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the book, it's different than most books. I didn't like the ending, I was hoping that we could also read the conversation they had after she comes back.
librariann's review against another edition
4.0
Ages 13+ (language) A nine year old douses a seven year old with gasoline and sets him on fire. The seven year old dies, and the 'murderer', Kip, is institutionalized until he's fourteen, when he's deemed fit to reenter society, with a new name and thousands of miles away from his native Alaska. With the help of his father, stepmother, and a few therapists, Kip - now called Wade - must struggle to come to grips with his past actions and make decisions about what he can reveal to the new people in his life. The novel is set up as a book of his story that he gives another character, to confess what he has done. A page-turner.