Title: The Body of Christopher Creed
Author: Carol Plum-Ucci
Genre:Realistic Fiction
Awards: Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award 2001, Edgar Allan Poe Award finalist 2001, Children's Choice List 2001, Best Books for Young Adults 2001, Most Popular Paperbacks 2004
Summary: Christopher Creed has always been a social outkast in the small town of Steepleton. One day he disappears leaving a typed letter on the school library computer.
Sixteen year old Torey Adams and his friends reminisce about the times they had bullied Creed. Now that he is gone, they joke uneasily about him to ease their guilt. The town is full of ugly rumors, as Torey's lawyer mother tells them "See, guys, this is what happens when a kid suffers a personal tragedy. Nobody wants to take responsibility. Nobody wants to admit they had a part in it. So, they spend a lot of time pointing the finger, and things just get worse and worse." Suspicion of murder conveniently falls on big, tough Bo Richardson, an outcast "boon" from the boondocks edge of town. Torey's smug assumptions about people are rattled when he discovers that his childhood friend Ali is secretly romantically involved with Bo.
Torey, Ali, and Bo try to solve the mystery of Creed's disappearance by attempting to steal Creed's diary. Soon the town of Steepleton is consumed with rumors and adult secrets. Torey finds himself distanced from his other friends who don't have as much compassion for people who are "different" from them. Just when you think you have figured out the mystery of Creed, the book takes a twisted turn.
Reaction: This book was very hard to put down. Right from the beginning the author really draws you in. There is a constant flow of rumors, secrets, and mysteries that are revealed throughout the novel. Steepleton is a small town, but it is definitely full of secrets and drama. Just when you think you have figured everything out, the author throws you a curve ball.
Recommendation: This book is recommended for young adults but it is written at a 5.3 reading level. I would recommend this book to both boys and girls who are in grades 10-12. I think mature freshman could handle it as well. There are a few scenes in the book that deal with sex and there is some foul language in the book so that is why I would not recommend it to any immature students. I think many students would relate to this book because either they have been bullied, witnessed someone being bullied, or they themselves are a bully. Everyone has problems of their own, it is easy to assume that everyone else's life is better than your own. In this book, students will realize that people who seem to have perfect lives, may just have as many problems as they do.
Book talk hook: I would read the following letter that Christopher Creed had written before his disappearance.
Dear Mr. Ames,
I have a problem getting along with people. I know that people wish I were dead, and at this moment in time I see no alternative but to accomodate them in this wish. I have a wish. Not that anybody cares, but if anybody cared over the years, it was you. Here is my wish. I wish that I had been born somebody else--Mike Healy, Jose DeSantos, Tommy Idle, Evan Lucenti, Torey Adams, Alex Arrington...
I don't understand why I get nothing and these boys get everything--athletic ability, good personalities, beautiful girlfriends. I'm sure their parents will be buying them cars next year, while I will still be riding my bicycle until my parents decide I'm old enough. Quite possibly, I'll be tewnty-five. I wish to understand life and luck and liberty. But I will never do that confined to this life, the personality defects I've been cursed with, the lack of abilities, the strain. I wish no malice on anyone. I only wish to be gone. Therefore, I AM.
Yours respectfully,
Christopher Creed
This sounds like a really great read. Bullying in schools appears to be worse than ever and I think it would be good for students to read about other bullying situations. And, I think starting a book talk with that letter is great. It really draws you into Christopher's feelings as an outcast and it can snag some readers in the way that it mentions specific names of the characters in the book.
ReplyDeleteCarol Plum-Ucci is a remarkable writer. I've read Streams of Babel; it is really good. I wanted to read this book, but I can't catch it on the shelf. It is always going out.
ReplyDeleteI also think I would like to read this book. It is very encouraging when someone says it is hard to put down. I think it is sad that someone would hate there life this much and feel helpless to do anything about it. I hope that our students will continue to pick up books like this so that they will have more empathy for others.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very suspenseful story, one that will have your mind going in all sorts of directions. It does seem to be pretty mature in content though, which would make it a good read for adults as well (I am assuming.) I must say, I am curious to hear about this twisted turn of events!
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in checking this one out and always pleased when the unexpected occurs in a story. Bullying continues to be a problem at all grade levels. In addition, there are those children who feel as though they don't fit in for a variety of reasons. Although this title is for a more mature audience, we need to make sure that all students have access to appropriate resources and information on these topics.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting read. I am quite sure there are several 8th graders I could get interested as well. I love books that throught a huge plot twist right near the end after I'm sure I have it all figured out!
ReplyDeleteWow - what a great post! I was immediately drawn into the book with your description and reaction. The book talk hook is perfect to let the audience into Creed's confused mind and reading the book would remind students that people aren't always who they appear to be. I think it's hard to go through that stage of life (adolescence) when all you want is answers and all you get is more questions. This is a great topic for high school.
ReplyDeleteAh!! I just read this book for my Printz title. I won't say too much, as I have yet to write my blog, but I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read it in about a day - I just couldn't put it down. The ending is a bit ambiguous, but still satisfying. I would definitely recommend this to high school readers.
ReplyDeleteYou know I haven't read any books by this author but I definitely should. Other times I have taught this course, students have raved about this book.
ReplyDeleteI love books with a twisted ending. I'm constantly trying to figure out how books will end, especially mysteries. Looking forward to reading this soon.
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