Shadow of a Doubt - Hardcover

Rottman, S. L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1561452912 ISBN 13: 9781561452910

Publisher: Peachtree Pub Co Inc, 2003

Synopsis

Shadow’s life changed forever when his brother Daniel ran away. What will happen now that Daniel is home again?
For fifteen-year-old Shadow Thompson, life ended seven years ago—the night his older brother Daniel ran away from home. That’s when Shadow stopped depending on other people and turned inward, relying only on himself. But now Daniel is back and he stands accused of murder.
Shadow’s anger at his brother, his parents’ struggle to cope with the sudden return of their son, and Daniel’s own feelings of guilt create an emotional undertow that threatens to consume the family. But as Shadow begins to open up to new friends, he slowly learns to trust and finally, to forgive. Now the Thompsons may get a second chance at being a family.
Award-winning author S. L. Rottman once again crafts a powerful story that depicts the complexity of human relationships within the framework of a troubled adolescent’s struggle to make sense of the people and the world around him.

About this title

About the Author

S.L. Rottman is a former teacher and the author of several young adult novels. A graduate of Colorado State University, Rottman lives in Colorado.

From the Back Cover

When Reba Jo finds herself in a mess of trouble, she's forced to strike a deal with a horned toad - he'll save her hide, but only if she grants him three wishes. Reba Jo tries her darnedest to weasel out of her part of the bargain, but the clever horned toad won't let her off the hook in this Southwestern-flavored retelling of "The Frog Prince."

Reviews

Grade 9 Up-Ernest (Shadow) Thompson is beginning his first year of high school, and he has worked hard to cultivate his apathetic persona, complete with an all-black wardrobe and sunglasses. He has just turned 15, the age at which his brother left home, 7 years ago. Shadow idolized Daniel for the first half of his life, and then he was gone without a word, leaving his family to wonder what became of him. Suddenly, all of that uncertainty is changed when Daniel calls from jail to tell his parents that he's been arrested for murder. When he reappears, Shadow's life is turned upside down; no one seems to care about him anymore and Daniel is the focus of his parents' concern. With help from new friends on the forensics team, Shadow does his best to deal with these dramatic events. Rottman has a history of creating male characters that are dead-on, and Shadow is no exception. His struggle to be recognized as a unique person is something every teenager goes through, and the added stress of his brother's return exacerbates the situation. The unusual plot gives the book its strength and appeal, and the realistic ending adds to its credibility and message.
Lynn Evarts, Sauk Prairie High School, Prairie du Sac, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Gr. 7-10. Shadow Thompson's fifteenth birthday marks seven years since his brother, Daniel, ran away. It also marks his first day in high school, which has its own challenges. When Daniel unexpectedly surfaces, accused of murder, family life is once more torn apart, miring Shadow in conflicting feelings. Rottman, the author of Stetson (2002), creates a three-dimensional, introspective protagonist facing difficult circumstances and choices. Shadow's dilemmas and changing perspective are realistically portrayed, as are his vacillating feelings, from resentment to confusion. Particularly notable is Rottman's insightful depiction of family dynamics, which demonstrates the range of responses to crisis. The conclusion, though open-ended, seems hopeful, providing a stepping stone to exploring issues of family loyalty, responsibility, and the legal system. Tough Shadow, clad in black, reveals his vulnerability, which reminds readers, as does the somewhat heavy-handed story, of the importance of looking beneath the surface. A thought-provoking novel that highlights the difficulties and rewards of second chances and new beginnings. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Peachtree Pub Co Inc
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1561452912
• ISBN 13: 9781561452910
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224