Prep (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

Coburn, Jake

ISBN 10: 1417736690 ISBN 13: 9781417736690

Publisher: Turtleback Books, 2005

Synopsis

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. One-time tag-artist, Nick tries to come to terms with the death of a friend, to protect the brother of his would-be girlfriend, to escape the violence of wealthy New York City prep school hoods, and to figure out who he really is.

About this title

About the Author

Jake Coburn was born in New York City in 1978. He grew up on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and attended several different prep schools. In 2000, he graduated from Brown University magna cum laude with a degree in Modern Culture and Media.

Jake’s first novel, Prep (Dutton, 2003), is based on his teenage years, where he witnessed New York’s privileged offspring form some of the city’s most vicious street gangs. Prep was named an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults and a Junior Library Guild selection.

Jake is also the author of LoveSick and lives in Los Angeles, California.

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-This novel focuses squarely on the world of Manhattan prep-school teens with too much money, too little family, and too few morals. These young men beat and cut one another for fun, territory, or girls, and generally use violence to gain reputations, power, and control. Nick, a famous ex-tagger, is haunted by the memory of the knife that nearly killed his friend Kodak, and ignores the recruiting efforts of various gang members. He is secretly in love with his best friend, Kris. When her younger brother gets in trouble, Nick tries to intercede and is once again drawn into the gang circle, though he's not sure that he's ready to fight. Prep does an excellent job of revealing the darker side of growing up rich, including drugs, easy sex, and drinking. Coburn's brief sentences and often-raw gang slang create a cadence and reflect the movement of the novel through four suspenseful days. While some of the gang members seem to be from central casting, the main characters are exceptionally well drawn and sympathetic.
Gail Richmond, San Diego Unified Schools, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Turtleback Books
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1417736690
• ISBN 13: 9781417736690
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 192