The Paper Knife - Softcover

Talbert, Marc

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0595198031 ISBN 13: 9780595198030

Publisher: iUniverse, 2001

Synopsis

Nobody, not even Jeremys mother knows the terrible secret that keeps him wary and afraid. On Halloween night, however, Jeremys worst fears are realized his secret is revealed and a charge of sexual molestation explodes with devastating impact.

About this title

About the Author

Marc Talbert has written many award-winning books for young readers, several of them published in foreign countries. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Tesuque, New Mexico. For more information visit www.marctalbert.com.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8 The focus of this problem novel is the sexual molestation of a ten-year-old boy by his mother's alcoholic and abusive live-in boyfriend, George. Jeremy and his mother flee to a small town where they hope to stay with George's parents (something that is hard to believe). Eventually Jeremy unwittingly reveals his secret. The devastating effect that molestation can have on a child's personality and the ambivalence that a child can feel when molestation is done by someone close to him are adequately described. But there is too much content, plot detail, and characterization that strain belief or seem introduced without a purpose. For example, a teacher cavorts with the boy in a tickling scene in a classroom on a Saturday; a mother who shares her bed with her son pulls down his underpants and marks his buttocks with lipstick; the boy reveals molestation at bedtime and has an appointment with a psychologist when he gets up for breakfast (not the police or child protective services). Talbert provides an upbeat ending; but actually Jeremy is left with an inadequate, sexually provocative mother and a molester who visits on weekends and is apparently going to be cured after his release from jail (through some miraculous therapy?). The topic is unlikely to appeal to many children, and this presentation contains too many flaws. Ronald A. Van De Voorde, Graduate Library School, University of Arizona, Tucson
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: iUniverse
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0595198031
• ISBN 13: 9780595198030
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 196