Synopses & Reviews
Julian Drew can only confide his troubled life to his green spiral Econoline notebook. Even there he conceals his feelings in a private code. Word by mysterious word, Julian's three NBs become a refuge from the confusions of the world around and a means of recording his dreams, goals, and search for understanding
Review
"Abused by his father and stepmother, Julian is too upset and afraid even to write about it clearly in his journal. Instead, he writes in code to express his despair. When a teacher disbelieves the severity of his problem, Julian runs away. Readers who struggle through the complex text, much of which is written in Julian's personal code, will be rewarded with a powerful and gripping survival story."
Review
"With an inventive vision, Deem present a hard-edged tale of abuse and recovery."
Review
"A challenging and oddly compelling story of an abused teenager who fights a heroic battle to deal with his mother's death and to survive the mistreatment of one of the most vicious stepmothers in all of literature. . . . All of the characters, even the most minor, are surprisingly vivid and real." --School Library Journal, starred School Library Journal, Starred
"With an inventive vision, Deem present a hard-edged tale of abuse and recovery." -- Kirkus Reviews Kirkus Reviews
"A powerful and gripping survival story." --Horn Book Horn Book
Synopsis
Julian Drew lives” with his father, his abusive stepmother and her children, but its not a life anyone would want. He buys his first NB on October 25 at Osco Drug in Tucson. Green spiral. 80 pages. 34 lines per page. He tries to write but his pen wont cooperate. Then he develops a secret code. Mysterious notebooks record his fight for survival and recovery. Gripping and poignant, this story will hook readers from the first page.
About the Author
James M. Deem is the author of numerous books for young readers, including 3 NB of Julian Drew, Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Rediscovery of the Past, and Faces From the Past. Mr. Deem lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona.