In TWISTED, Laurie Halse Anderson presents Tyler Miller, whose transformation from a meek, social Mr. Cellophane to a chiseled, admired "tough guy" sets his world on end. As someone who spends his days unnoticed, Tyler finds himself with more attention than he wanted after he vandalizes school property and, to pay for his crime, takes a summer job doing landscaping. The unforeseen side effect is that he returns the next school year with a brand new body that's turning heads, most notably the head of Bethany Milbury.
But not everything, even Bethany's advances, works out well for Tyler. As he struggles to contend with his angry father, a mistrustful faculty and the aftermath of a drunken party, Tyler comes to the painful realization that there's a substantial price tag for his newfound popularity, and juggling the consequences lead him to thoughts of suicide.
While the overall story tackles weighty issues such as identity, family and suicide, Anderson masterfully interjects wry humor that always seems to find its mark. There's something very genuine in the portrayal of Tyler's struggle, both as he seeks attention and as he seeks to banish it. His volatile family situation, especially his relationship with his father, is familiar without bowing to a stereotypical, dysfunctional family. Despite times when Bethany's brother comes across a little cartoonish in his machinations, the characterizations ring true.
TWISTED, does what all good cautionary tales should do: leaves the reader with the certainty that something would be missing in their life without it.
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