I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Lyga, B. (2012). I Hunt Killers. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316125840 

 

Plot Summary 

Jasper "Jazz" Dent is the son of the infamous serial killer, Billy Dent.  As a child, Jazz was shown by his father how to kill and how to do it well.  He arranged his father's murder trophies and thought life was normal.  Now, years later, his father caught and Jazz trying to adjust to a regular life, someone starts to imitate Billy's murders.  Jazz, with intimate, first hand knowledge of those previous murders, notices first and begins working with the police to uncover the murderer and dispel any idea that he could be the murderer.

Critical Evaluation 

This book is not only a taught thriller, but it is Jazz's search for his identity and an example of the struggle of nature versus nurture.  Jazz has a hard time reconciling his past and all the gruesome things he was shown by his father with the non-murderous man he hopes to continue being.  Helping the police, Jazz is taking control of his life, attempting to thwart someone his father hoped he would become.  This process is still torturous as he cannot undo his past, and rising above it is a challenge.

Reader's Annotation 

Raised the way he was, Jazz is the best person to help find this serial killer; his dad is the template for the copycat.

Author Information 

Barry Lyga was born in 1971 and attended Harvard where he graduated with a degree in English.  Being a lifelong fan of comic books, he went to work at Diamond Comic Distributors before releasing his first young adult novel in 2006.  He now refers to himself as a "recovering comic book geek."

Genre 

Fiction, thriller, contemporary

Curriculum Ties 

Reading and Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas 

Examining a crime scene, have Jazz recall a past murder he was witness to with his father, comparing likenesses but also regretting the fact of how he gained his knowledge.

Reading Level/Interest Age 

I Hunt Killers ranks a HL750 on the Lexile Range.  It's mature subject matter lends it to be read by older teens, 15-18.

Challenge Issues 

Murder scenes and serial killers are chief subject matter, and profanity is used.

If challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly. Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone. As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.

Reason Selected

I Hunt Killers is an interesting twist on the young adult genre and soars along at a brisk pace, even for a thriller.