REVIEW for Brutal

Thank you to Random House Children for sending me this book!!!!

TITLE: Brutal
AUTHOR: Michael Harmon

GENRE: YA

RATING: 4 Years

Brutal introduces us to Poe Holly who is being uprooted from her current life and literally shipped to a life of suburbia with a father she hardly knows and, from all extent and purposes lives in a completely different universe. However, Poe grudgingly tries to make the best of it and even starts making some friends, including a somewhat love/hate relationship with a next door neighboor who seems to be more of a doormat than anything else.

However, when a prank goes deadly, Poe interferes to try to make things right. What I liked most about this book is the honest look at the results of a dysfunctional home - I mean, I felt for Poe - with a mother who puts her needs and desires before her daughter's. Poe's dad is a tad better, but he is so partly clueless.... I like that the aduls are not perfect and I like the fact that Poe, although clearly out of her element, is willing to "try" to make it work.

The story is one of friendship and redemption - up to a point. Poe has an interesting relationshig with Velveeta and finds herself feeling for this person and from there comes most of the basic storyline and the most interesting of the relationships.

I think the strongest part of this book is the relationships - most, if not all, are seriously dysfunctinal, but yet, I found myself involved and committed in their lives.

The writing is honest and down to earth and I did enjoy this book.