Synopses & Reviews
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
Review
"With an inventive vision, Deem present a hard-edged tale of abuse and recovery." -- Kirkus Reviews
Review
"A powerful and gripping survival story." --Horn Book
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 introduces readers to one of the world's original disaster stories and the startling discoveries that have been made as the people and the city of Pompeii have been slowly, painstakingly, brought back to life. Mr. Deem is the author of numerous books for young readers. He lives outside Phoenix, Arizona.