Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, L. H. (2008). Twisted. New York: Speak. ISBN 978014241184

Plot Summary 

Teenager Tyler Miller spent a long summer doing hard landscaping work in order to pay for graffiti that he tagged his high school with.  Before the summer, Tyler was your average student, secretly crushing on Bethany Millbury.  That summer changed him though, and when he came back to school, everyone, including Bethany was impressed by Tyler's new physique.  The sudden attention causes Tyler to have to adjust to a new lifestyle and place within his school and at home where his relationship with his father is less than ideal. 

Critical Evaluation 

Twisted is important in that it is a young adult novel that deals with depression and suicide in a subtle way.  Tyler does not necessary seem like what some people would describe as depressed, but notes that thinking of death is calm and relaxing.  This kind of depression is creeping, but it Tyler's thoughts are not out of the ordinary for teens who are trying to sort out all manner of thoughts that run through their heads, trying to figure out if they are normal or cause for concern.  Anderson addresses this admirably, and with a light touch.

Reader's Annotation 

After blending in for so long, what happens when you start getting the very thing you want but stand out a bit too much?

Author Information 

Laurie Halse Anderson was born in Northern New York in 1961.  As a child, she thought she wanted to be a doctor.  When she was 16 she lived as an exchange student in Denmark on a pig farm for 13 months.  Coming back to the states, she worked a menial job, and realized that she needed to attend college.

She studied Language and Linguistics at Georgetown University.  Writing began as a hobby that she realized she could monetize, and Anderson became a freelance reporter before writing fiction.  Her first published novel, Speak, was published to great critical reception, even being nominated for a National Book Award.  Since then, she has authored several young adult and children's books (Biography).

Genre 

Fiction, contemporary

Curriculum Ties 

Reading and Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas 

As Bethany, describe seeing Tyler for the first time in the new school year, emphasizing

Reading Level/Interest Age 

Twisted ranks a HL680L on the Lexile Range.  It's sometimes mature subject matter, including thoughts of suicide, make it suitable for ages 15-18.

Challenge Issues 

Suicide, depression, violence, vandalism, and language are all addressed.

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

Twisted interested me because it was a story in which a teen that fit in for the most part was suddenly standing out in way that should benefit him.  Most teen stories about identity are about trying to fit in, and this book plays with that concept.

Twisted was also selected as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults in 2008.

References 

Biography: Laurie Halse Anderson. (2013). Scholastic. Retrieved March 17, 2013, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/laurie-halse-anderson