Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

So I don't know why I'm surprised that I thought this book was amazing... I have been wanting to read it for such a long time and now I finally was able to! This book is absolutely fantastic (as are all of Laurie Halse Anderson's books.





To sum it up quickly, Tyler went from scrawny to steamy over the summer after having to do community service. Now the most popular girl in school, not to mention Tyler's dream woman, Bethany is starting to notice. But when riskay pictures end up on the internet of Bethany, the cops think Tyler did it. What is Tyler suppose to do. Everyone tells him he's on a short leash and on thin ice. Tyler tries to act like a man, but no one ever told him how to be one.





Here's a review:


In TWISTED, Laurie Halse Anderson presents readers with 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 bod 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 Chip Milbury (Bethany's brother and the bane of Tyler's rebirth) comes across a little cartoonish in his machinations, the characterizations ring true.

TWISTED, with its tip of the hat to black comedy, does what all good cautionary tales should do: leaves the reader with the certainty that something would be missing in their life without it. Don't miss out on this.