The Trouble in Me

I started off shook because I did not realize the book was based on a true story, and on involving the author at that! I feel it kind of took forever to get a point across at first. I felt like everything was a rambling speech. About halfway through the book I got the feeling and the concurrence that Jack was not just simply wanting to be like Gary, but had developed an almost obsessive like attitude to become Gary. The probation officer was not what I expected. I was taken back by his attitude and lack of professionalism during my reading encounter with him. One thing I didn't like was how an entire side story seemed to start near the end of the book. I was wanting to know more but at the same time annoyed that it started in the first place. All in all the book was alright, but I feel it was a gateway to attempt to get readers to read another book, which was clever don't get me wrong. I just feel this story was a compilation of side stories bunched together.

ahhh this book was so tense it made my stomach hurt the entire time I was reading it. I'm not really sure how to rate it? There's definitely skill involved in writing that kind of intensity, but I didn't really enjoy reading it, and I'm not really sure who the intended audience is? I loved [b:Hole in My Life 842087 Hole in My Life Jack Gantos https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316130742s/842087.jpg 80002], but I felt like that had a more structured narrative? This one is just like, Jack's neighbor Gary keeps encouraging Jack to do an escalating string of shitty things, and Jack does them.. but since it's all set before Hole in My Life, if you've already read that one, then you know that the worst is yet to come. But also, Hole in My Life ends with like... a clear resolution, where Jack ends up in jail. This just ends with vague uneasiness. Which I guess is fine? I mean, lots of times life leaves you with vague uneasiness. I guess kids who like Ellen Hopkins-style books about kids doing fucked-up stuff would probably like this? But unlike Ellen Hopkins et al, you don't have the sense that Jack has been mistreated (which I think is the appeal of a lot of Ellen Hopkins etc, feeling righteous indignation on behalf of the teens whose abusive homelife pushes them toward drugs/crime/whatever?), just that, for whatever reason, he feels unfulfilled and wants to set shit on fire. Which again–I know there are kids like that? So maybe they will like this book????PS A PUPPY FACES SERIOUS PERIL IN THIS BOOK BUT DOESN'T DIE, at least not in the narrative