Freaks and Revelations by Davida Wills Hurwin

****Freaks and Revelations by Davida Wills Hurwin****

Originality- 19/20
Characters- 19/20
Remembrance- 8/10
Quote-ability- 8/10
Entertainment- 18/20
Ending- 10/10
Recommend to read- 8/10
TOTAL- 90/100
Grade- A

This raw, moving novel follows two teenagers-one, a Mohawk-wearing 17-year-old violent misfit; the other, a gay 13-year-old cast out by his family, hustling on the streets and trying to survive. Acclaimed author Davida Wills Hurwin creates a riveting narrative told in alternating perspectives of their lives before and after the violent hate crime that changed both their futures. This tragic but ultimately inspirational journey of two polarized teens, their violent first meeting, and their peaceful reunion years later is an unforgettable story of survival and forgiveness.

----------------------------------------------------------
I just finished this book last night and I am still realing. I usally am kept up thinking about books that are really creative, books that shine a whole new light on an idea. This book kept me up for other reasons.

First, the characters. Both of the main characters are based on two real people! How can you not feel every one of their emotions when these people really had to go through this? I couldn't stay mad about anything that either one of them did, or be angry about the choices they made because I saw their past. I couldn't help but fall in love with both of the boys. What they went through was very sad, and I felt that just reading their story brought them close to me.

The story itself had me turning away at times because I had to take a minute to gather my thoughts and push through what just happened. In the beginning of the book we get to look at the past experiences of the boys from when they were younger. In the younger years lay the ground work of the reasons they made some of those bad choices later on. I couldn't help but identify with some of the family relationships, and my heart break with some of the others.

I can't think of one fault with this book. It kept me hooked the whole way through. The ending gave me closure. The whole book is filled with so much hate it was nice to know that some people can learn to get past the hate and try to forgive and love.

This book was hands down one of the best real life stories that I've read. If you want a book that will make you reach deep into yourself and realize what hate can do, then you need to check out this book.

-Amanda
Book received free from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers