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The Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks I read this book a couple of months ago and I am still not sure what to think of it. Ruben is a 14 year-old half-Gypsy in London, England. His father, a legendary bare-knuckle fighter, is in jail for man slaughter. His older brother Cole is very much like his father, quiet, almost cold-blooded, direct, and very good with his fists. Ruben is nothing like them. He is very sensitive to others' feelings and thoughts, to the point where he sometimes experiences his family's emotions even when they are far away. As the book begins Rueben has taken shelter from a sudden downpour in a wrecked car in his family's breakers yard. It is there that Ruben "sees" the Dead Man attack and kill his sister Rachel miles away on the moors of Devon. Ruben, Cole and their mother want only to bring the body back to London for a proper burial. But, as the murder is unsolved, the police will not release the body. Cole, a young man who needs to act, decides to go to Devon to find the killer so the body can be released. Ruben goes along to help and to keep his brother out of serious trouble. Once in Devon they find that everyone is hiding something and violence threatens to erupt-and sometimes does-- at every turn. Brooks masterfully evokes the desolation of the moors and the quiet desperation of many of its residents. The book is pervaded by an almost dream-like mood, somewhere between creepy and depressing. The violence is quick and devastating and treated by the characters, even the sensitive Ruben, matter-of-factly. The relationship between the brothers is also very well done. The two boys couldn't be more different in their approaches to life yet they share a bond that only brothers can fully grasp. So much of their relationship is understood but never discussed. Long before the end it becomes obvious who the killer is and why Ruben perceived him as "the Dead Man." The continuing danger and deception keep the book interesting to the end but there is the feeling that everything did quite come together in the end. Foremost among those loose strings is Road of the Dead itself, which seems to be more an interesting aside rather than a central plot element. Overall though, it is an interesting and compelling read that will appeal to many teen boys, particularly younger brothers. Recommended for grades 8-12. This review is also available on the LHS Reading Blog: http://lhsblog.edublogs.org Anthony Doyle, Librarian Livingston High School Livingston, CA tdoyle@MUHSD.K12.CA.US Http://www.lhswolves.org/library/index.htm "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture; you just have to get people to stop reading them." Ray Bradbury -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------