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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
Content Warnings
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.
orangerful's review against another edition
3.0
'Right Behind You' is another book from the 'Great Books for Teens' discussion group I picked.
The story starts out with a young man handing his story (the book) to someone else and telling them they need to read it. The book is him trying to relate the events of his life to this new friend. But Kip's life has been anything but fun. When he was 9 years old, he got angry at another kid and, in a fit of rage, set him on fire. He is sent to a juvenile prison and spends the next 4 or so years there. Eventually, he is deemed well enough to leave and goes back to rejoin society.
Another book that I was surprised I enjoyed! Gail Giles' writing is clear and quick. The chapters are short but leave you wanting more. The only complaint I have is the "reader" of the story. They disappear and reappear from the narrative at inconsistent intervals. It made that part seem a bit stretched. I think it would have been better just to leave this piece of the story out. Or perhaps to just bookend it with them getting the book and maybe their reaction to Kip's story at the end.
All in all, this book was a quick, enjoyable read. Clearly it comes from the dark side of the YA shelves, but I felt that you could identify with Kip and that made it work. The conclusion wasn't as satisfying as the rest of the book, but if you can ignore the last page, you have a solid read on your hands.
Originally posted on orangerful.vox.com
The story starts out with a young man handing his story (the book) to someone else and telling them they need to read it. The book is him trying to relate the events of his life to this new friend. But Kip's life has been anything but fun. When he was 9 years old, he got angry at another kid and, in a fit of rage, set him on fire. He is sent to a juvenile prison and spends the next 4 or so years there. Eventually, he is deemed well enough to leave and goes back to rejoin society.
Another book that I was surprised I enjoyed! Gail Giles' writing is clear and quick. The chapters are short but leave you wanting more. The only complaint I have is the "reader" of the story. They disappear and reappear from the narrative at inconsistent intervals. It made that part seem a bit stretched. I think it would have been better just to leave this piece of the story out. Or perhaps to just bookend it with them getting the book and maybe their reaction to Kip's story at the end.
All in all, this book was a quick, enjoyable read. Clearly it comes from the dark side of the YA shelves, but I felt that you could identify with Kip and that made it work. The conclusion wasn't as satisfying as the rest of the book, but if you can ignore the last page, you have a solid read on your hands.
Originally posted on orangerful.vox.com