Rotten

Jun 07, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

JD, somewhat of a troubled youth, returns home from a summer-long trip to an unexplained location, only to find his mother has rescued a dog. Shortly after returning home, a friendship blossoms between a misunderstood teenage boy and a misunderstood dog. JD's three friends are both desperate to discover JD's summer whereabouts as well as acquaint themselves with the dog, JR (Johnny Rotten). When Mars, one of JD's friends, gets bit by JR, drama ensues with a lawsuit and the strong potential that...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 14, 2013 Jackie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: animals-dogs, ya-fiction, abuse, friendship, juvenile-delinquents

JD's home from spending all summer between sophomore and junior year in juvenile detention. It was his second offense and now he had to do time, even with his hot-shot lawyer uncle pleading his case. His friends aren't 100% where he was or what he did and JD wants to keep it that way. Things don't always work as planned though.

When he finally gets home, a week before school starts, JD is introduced to the new member of the family...Johnny, or Jon-Jon, or JR...a huge 100+ pound Rottweiler that h...more

like · see review

Mar 03, 2013 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: animals, bullies, community, families, friendship, school, self-esteem

After a summer spent away from home, Jimmer (JD) Dobbs returns to the same group of friends with whom he's always hung out. While they go back to the same activities they enjoyed before he left, things just aren't the same. JD desperately holds onto the secret behind his absence even while it's clear that his friends know where he's really been. He's desperate to reconnect with his ex-girlfriend, but since he's been incommunicado for the whole summer, that's not going to be easy. Things are a li...more

like · see review

May 18, 2013 Kelly Hager rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book so much! I immediately sympathized with JD and obviously with his dog, Johnny Rotten.

It's probably a good thing I read this on my Kindle so that I couldn't skip ahead. As a result, I spent most of the book worried that Johnny would have to be put down (obviously I won't tell you what happens; you'll have to read the book).

It was wonderful seeing a bond develop between JD and Johnny. Obviously, JD didn't have that many relationships he could really count on in his life, and Jo...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 03, 2013 Jessica rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction, read-on-2013, ya

Originally posted in Teacher's Choice

I came across this title as I was clicking through NetGalley. The cover had me immediately as I am a HUGE fan of dogs. Anyone who knows me can tell you that. The idea of the main character connected to a rescue dog pulled me in. I put in a request, got my approval, and started reading.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a pretty quick read. It is clear that JD did not stay with his aunt and I felt like his friends, wanting to know how he really spent his summ...more Originally posted in Teacher's Choice

I came across this title as I was clicking through NetGalley. The cover had me immediately as I am a HUGE fan of dogs. Anyone who knows me can tell you that. The idea of the main character connected to a rescue dog pulled me in. I put in a request, got my approval, and started reading.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a pretty quick read. It is clear that JD did not stay with his aunt and I felt like his friends, wanting to know how he really spent his summer. JD did not seem like a “bad boy” at all, so I really wondered what he could have done. I also loved Johnny Rotten as a character in the book. He went through quite a bit – being chained and beat – before JD’s mom rescued him from the shelter. I really liked watching Johnny and JD’s relationship blossom as they learned to trust each other and JD learned there was more to Johnny than his tough outside. I feared for Johnny’s fate after one of JD’s friends, Mars, claimed Johnny bit him unprovoked and his family sues JD and his mom. As JD fights for his dog, we see the many sides of JD as he learns to come to terms with his past and his present.

One thing I really liked about this book is how it hit on the issue of stereotypes against “bully breeds.” Johnny is a Rottweiler, one of the most misunderstood of dog breeds, probably after Pit Bulls. Being a proud Pit Bull owner and lover of all dogs, I appreciate how Northrop addresses this issue as JD fights for Johnny. Many dogs have a lot stacked against them just because of the misconceptions that are out there. Johnny had some growing to do in order to trust people, especially males. But at his heart, he was a sweet dog that was just looking for companionship. I’m glad to see a book for teens that brings this up for teens to think about.

This is an enjoyable book and one I look forward to adding to my classroom. I can see reluctant drawn to this and enjoying it. Overall – 3/5 stars.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 14, 2013 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013, ya-fiction

You know how in YA there are 16-year-old boys and they have really mature voices and really deep story lines? A lot of times they're really good and they are so spot on. But other times you start to wonder what about those 16-year-old boys in the world who are kind of goofy and do really dumb things and yet are lovable and likable despite that?

Rotten is about the somewhat immature but really likable 16-year-old boy who is just kinda goofy.

When Jimmer Dobbs -- JD -- returns home from a "summer...more You know how in YA there are 16-year-old boys and they have really mature voices and really deep story lines? A lot of times they're really good and they are so spot on. But other times you start to wonder what about those 16-year-old boys in the world who are kind of goofy and do really dumb things and yet are lovable and likable despite that?

Rotten is about the somewhat immature but really likable 16-year-old boy who is just kinda goofy.

When Jimmer Dobbs -- JD -- returns home from a "summer at his aunt's house," he discovers that his mom has a new roommate. No, it's not another person. It's a giant and intimidating dog. JD is skeptical and not into the idea, but once he names the dog -- Johnny Rotten or JR for short -- suddenly the dog feels a lot more like his dog. JR damn well becomes a friend, especially as the guys that JD hangs out with become more and more suspicious of his story about spending the summer at his aunt's house.

There is, of course, more to the story. But it doesn't pop up until an incident with JR and one of JD's friends. An incident which puts the fate of JR into the hands of someone else. Suddenly, JD wants nothing more than to prove how innocent and misunderstood JR is.

What I love about Northrop's writing is that it's humorous. Yes, there are some real issues at the heart of the story, but none of them are so supremely serious that JD cannot be funny. And he has some brilliant one-liners in the story that are so 16-year-old dorky boy it's impossible not to laugh out loud. They're not cheap shots, either. It's in a true-to-teen voice that's observant as much as it's spur-of-the-moment.

JR and JD have so much in common, especially as it comes to the things that brought them together. What happened for JR to end up "at his aunt's house" mirrors in many ways what causes JR to end up as a new family member. The severity is different, but they parallel one another such that they understand each other.

Pass this off to readers looking for a story about friendship and about relationships, especially of the human-animal kind. Because I know the question on a lot of people's minds will be "what happens to the dog?," you should know in advance that (view spoiler)

Longer review to come. (less)

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 01, 2013 Annette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rotten is a heartfelt story about a teens trying to do the right things, and not always succeeding.

JD is returning home at the end of the summer. Presumably, he's been at his aunt's house for the entire summer, with no internet, phones, or any other way to contact the outside world. His friends don't really buy this story, but JD isn't talking. His mother has adopted a rescued dog -- a huge rottweiler, that JD names "Johnny Rotten" (he's a Sex Pistols fan.) Johnny has problems of his own. He doe...more

like · see review

Apr 07, 2013 Alise (Readers in Wonderland) rated it 4 of 5 stars

_________________________________
Rotten Review
_________________________________
Full formatting of this review at link above.

When I saw this on Netgalley, I knew I had to request it because of my own little Rottweiler sitting right in front of me. I even broke my "no books about animals" rule to read this, and I am glad I did!

JD comes home from his summer stay at his "aunt's house" to a surprise. His mom adopted an abused Rottweiler dog, which JD names Johnny Rotten. Their relationships starts o...more _________________________________
Rotten Review
_________________________________
Full formatting of this review at link above.

When I saw this on Netgalley, I knew I had to request it because of my own little Rottweiler sitting right in front of me. I even broke my "no books about animals" rule to read this, and I am glad I did!

JD comes home from his summer stay at his "aunt's house" to a surprise. His mom adopted an abused Rottweiler dog, which JD names Johnny Rotten. Their relationships starts out rocky, but they learn trust each other. JD sees that Johnny isn't aggressive, and Johnny sees that JD won't treat him like his old owner.

Unfortunately, the peace doesn't last very long, and JD's friend gets bitten by Johnny, and he wants compensation, but might end up taking more than that. They might end up taking Johnny's life. His second chance.

After Old Yeller, Where The Red Fern Grows, Wild Animals I Have Known, Black Beauty, Marley and Me, etc; I had promised not to read any books or watch any movies about animals. Why can't there be a Happily Ever After? I'm not saying whether or not ROTTEN has one, but I had to read this regardless of the promise I made to myself.

I did not connect to JD's character at first, he was somewhat rude, vile, and gross: a teenage boy. Once I got used to his voice, I really saw that underneath he was a great person. He goes through some intense rounds of character development as well. Mr. Northtrop can write a believable male protagonist, something that is refreshing and unique. He also knows Rottweilers, I found that the behaviorisms and actions were spot on with how my own Rottweiler acts.

This is so much more than just a "boy and his dog" story. There are many different elements that make this a good novel, especially the relationships. JD and his mom, JD and his friends, and most importantly-JD and Johnny. They all are written excellently: they are realistic and relatable. You find out that everyone has their own story, and own reasons for behaving the way they do.

If you like a great novel with strong male protagonist, this is one for you!
(less)

like · see review

Apr 27, 2013 danielle. added it

Shelves: read-or-re-read-in-2013, kindle-books, review-copies, netgalley

Review originally appeared on my blog, Mercurial Musings

In high school, I had a dog named Abi. She was the sweetest, smartest, most well-behaved dog I've ever known. And she was a Rottweiler. Now, I have a rescue dog named Samwise and she is every bit as kind, well-behaved, and gentle as Abi was, though Sam is only half rottie. It's fair to say I have a soft spot for the breed, so when I saw JR's drooly, smiley face on the cover of a book, I knew it was a must read. Thanks to the amazing people...more Review originally appeared on my blog, Mercurial Musings

In high school, I had a dog named Abi. She was the sweetest, smartest, most well-behaved dog I've ever known. And she was a Rottweiler. Now, I have a rescue dog named Samwise and she is every bit as kind, well-behaved, and gentle as Abi was, though Sam is only half rottie. It's fair to say I have a soft spot for the breed, so when I saw JR's drooly, smiley face on the cover of a book, I knew it was a must read. Thanks to the amazing people at Scholastic and NetGalley, I didn't have to wait to devour this gem.

Rotten follows teenage (sort of) delinquent JD's homecoming after having been "upstate" for a while. After a long bus ride and a tense car ride with his mom, JD arrives back home to find a large, skittish, and intimidating dog in his house. The descriptions of the dog (who will later be dubbed Johnny Rotten, or JR) are so vivid that readers will have no problem seeing his big dopey Rottweiler head cock to the side while he raises his eyebrows hoping for a snack.

Both JD and JR are in need of rehabilitation and friendship and they find both in each other. Those of us who are dog people already know the power dogs can have in our lives. JD sees much of himself in JR who was abandoned, given up on, and misunderstood. The two form a powerful bond that is threatened when JD's friends decide to stir up trouble.
And this leads me to my only complaint about the book: the ending. I tore through Rotten at break-neck pace, truly invested in the characters (especially JR) and their story. The writing is vivid and realistic. And then the last few chapters happened. It's not that it's a terrible ending, it's just that it's too tidy, too convenient And while this is a common occurrence in YA, I think it is just a disservice to readers. Though there are certainly other endings that would have made me even angrier, so I won't complain too much.

In all, this was a sweet read, full of hope and redemption (and even a little romance). It's a great weekend read and would appeal to anyone who has ever loved a dog, anyone who's ever felt misunderstood, or anyone who enjoys a good story. Definitely check it out, and then come back and tell me what you thought of the ending.
(less)

like · see review

Apr 03, 2013 Savannah (Books With Bite) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reading a story about redemption and following your heart always is a great recipe.

The plot of the book is touching and automatically enticing. Especially if your a dog lover like myself. And rescuing a dog that has been abused and only to be put into another scandal it only fuels me to read fast. I like that the plot didn’t only deal with Johnny Rotten but also what is going around in JD’s life. Friends, family and of course a special girl. The author managed to mix everything in well that it f...more

like · see review

Mar 21, 2013 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book feels like it really is geared toward boys, but I do think that girls would also like it as well. But then again, I'm an unusual girl who loves big puppies... ;) It's also written simply so that MG readers wouldn't have problems with it, but it does depict boys 16 years and they do talk about sex and alcohol. So, it would depend on the kid. I would suggest parents read it first for younger YA kids. However, for the older kids, it's fine. Nothing graphic, just boys being boys. It's also...more This book feels like it really is geared toward boys, but I do think that girls would also like it as well. But then again, I'm an unusual girl who loves big puppies... ;) It's also written simply so that MG readers wouldn't have problems with it, but it does depict boys 16 years and they do talk about sex and alcohol. So, it would depend on the kid. I would suggest parents read it first for younger YA kids. However, for the older kids, it's fine. Nothing graphic, just boys being boys. It's also a quick read and I also think that would appeal to those that may be otherwise reluctant to read (not that we can understand anything about that... LOL).

In a way this is a story about secrets and relationships. Not in a major philosophical way, but in a relatable down to earth kind of way. The plot is predictable, but still entertaining. JD, the main character has a major secret that he is keeping from his friends and even though he catches hell for revealing that secret, it is also freeing. It's also a relationship of a boy and his dog. Both reluctant to trust each other, but extreme circumstances slowly bring them together. Yes, you can safely say I loved that dog as well. :)

The secondary characters were also well drawn. There was even an urge to see the traitorous friend in a compassionate light. Although, I admit, at 16 I would be hard pressed to so easily forgive even knowing the circumstances. I should also mention something about that... reading the blurb and knowing that many of you feel the same way I did about animal books... here is a spoiler: *spoiler* After a bite and a law suit, Johnny Rotten (the rottie) is being threatened to be "put down". He isn't... and all turns out well. *end spoiler* Yea, I did flip to the end of the book to know that. :D

There were just a few things that bugged me in the story which may be more specific to me personally (warning it's about dog training... non-doggy peeps might want to skip this):

*The dog needed training and I would have liked to have seen the novice dog owners (his mom and JD) get some professional help from a positive dog trainer. Positive training because the dog had fear agression which can also be quite serious. Also, at one time the mom and JD both grab Johnny's collar when he is upset at a new person in his area. That one bugged me the most because it's a good way for JD or his mom to get bit and kids could emulate it. They needed to learn specific techniques to calm the dog and I don't think it realistically could have happened in the way it was presented.
*There was a scene in which JD growled at Johnny to get him to pay attention. If a fearful dog doesn't take it as agression and want to defend himself, he might also take it as a play growl and you'd still get overexcited behavior. Neither is acceptable while trying to calm him down.

However, despite those problems, I did LOVE that the author took so much time to try to demystify the "bully" breed a bit. Loved that JD took the time to research how people and the courts often sentence a dog without knowing the circumstances.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I really think it is a good book for teen boys especially. The problems I had really run secondary to the story and if you aren't into dog training, it would not bother you in the least. It also has a cute puppy (yes, I said puppy... they are all puppies to me!) what more do you want? :)(less)

like · see review

Apr 11, 2013 Brad rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-own

This review is spoiler free.

Rotten is a wonderful story about bonding love and friendship. This book is outstanding!

I am a huge lover of dogs (I have two myself), so when I found out that this book was about a dog, I was all over this one. I was so happy I read it! The friendship that grows between JD and Johnny Rotten was amazing to read. They truly connected to each other as best friends, and I was rooting for both of them during the entire book. Plus, who doesn't love a story about dogs?

My...more

like · see review

Mar 16, 2013 Elvina Barclay rated it 5 of 5 stars

When 16 year old JD returns home after spending the summer up-state “visiting his aunt” he finds his mother has taken in another young boy in trouble. Only this boy has four legs, Jon-Jon is a very large, slobbery and frightened Rottweiler. As JD tries to re-enter his life and connect with friends he also begins to develop a relationship with the renamed JR, short for Johnny Rotten. As their trust of each other grows, JD and his friends still seem wary of each other and JD is still refusing to t...more

like · see review

Apr 12, 2013 L.S. Murphy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rotten is a heart-warming story about a boy and his dog. Sounds cliché, right? Not so. Michael Northrup puts a fresh spin on an old idea.

Jimmer “JD” Dobbs gets home from “upstate” and discovers a new roommate: a rescued Rottweiler. JD renames him Johnny Rotten after the lead singer of Sex Pistols. I have to admit that the name suits the dog, but the idea that JD listens to old school punk seems far-fetched. JD’s voice wavered, at times coming across as younger than his sixteen years, but it even...more

like · see review

Apr 06, 2013 Allie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: animals

Rotten by Michael Northrop is a great book. It tells us about JD and his new dog Johnny Rotten aka JR and how they bond together as they spend more and more time together. The story line and plot is awesome and I really enjoyed reading this book. The BIGGEST thing i REALLY wish was different is the ending. It doesn't sum anything up and leaves readers with many questions. The ending was very rushed and i felt that if Michael Northrop had not rushed the ending and had written the ending much more...more

like · see review

Mar 16, 2013 Jen Ryland added it

Shelves: netgalley, blog-tour

Rotten is a story that's deceptively simple at first, then sneaks right up on you with a lot of humor and heart. Johnny Rotten is a rescue dog, and he has some issues. But so does JD. The parallels between the two of them are subtly drawn, but central to the story: JD is a kid who needs a second chance, and Johnny Rotten is a dog who needs one too. The two slowly start to bond and then … something bad happens.

I'm not going to tell you what happened or how things end up, just that I really enjoye...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 04, 2013 Candace rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved that this book is narrated by a boy. And I think that it was a realistic portrayal of a teenage boy (which isn't always the case) as JD is a character that we see his flaws, but we also see the good in him. He may not be so great at communication, but he's not a bad kid. He's made some mistakes though and we know that from the beginning, but we don't know what he did. That's part of the urgency to keep reading, because we know something happened and we want to know more.

Dog books are alw...more I loved that this book is narrated by a boy. And I think that it was a realistic portrayal of a teenage boy (which isn't always the case) as JD is a character that we see his flaws, but we also see the good in him. He may not be so great at communication, but he's not a bad kid. He's made some mistakes though and we know that from the beginning, but we don't know what he did. That's part of the urgency to keep reading, because we know something happened and we want to know more.

Dog books are always a little scary to read because almost always something sad happens. When I was reading I was SO tempted to skip to the end just to make sure that the dog lived. But I didn't and I'm glad I didn't because I enjoyed watching things unfold and seeing where they went. While I got extremely angry about how some people behaved I never actually cried. So that's all I'm going to say about that.

This doesn't have a ton going on. It's about JD who meets Johnny Rotten when he returns from a summer away and Johnny Rotten is a rescue. He's been badly abused and is terrified of men. But JD sees the good in Johnny and watches the healing happen as Johnny starts to discover that there are people he can trust and love. Watching the affection grow between JD and Johnny was fantastic and made me think of the pit bull we use to have. She wasn't a rescue or anything, but she had so many of the same traits as Johnny. As for JD we see him as a normal teen boy who just wants to hang with his friends and avoid trouble. He also has some girlfriend issues which we also see unravel. While this appears to be a book that could be for middle grade boys it is definitely YA.

I wasn't real sure about this one going in, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying it and I read it almost straight through one night before bed. I definitely recommend it though I would say that it's one that more boys will like. Girls who enjoy 'boy' books will likely enjoy it and dog lovers will certainly connect to it as well.

You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com (less)

like · see review

Mar 22, 2013 Jennifer Pittman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-books-read, kindle-books

I am partial to “bully” breeds. I grew up with Rottweiler’s, and currently have a pit bull. I had to think about whether I wanted to read this book or not. Rottwieler and a dog bite doesn’t mix. I had to decide if the chance of the dog being put down was worth the time to read Rotten. I don’t mind reading about people getting killed in books……just not dogs. I am glad that I read the book.

Rotten was a great book. You get to experience what a teenager (or anyone for that matter) goes through when...more

like · see review

Apr 29, 2013 Crys (The Hodgenator) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction, teen, ya, young-adult, read-in-2013, social-issues, kindle

I loved this book. I absolutely loved it.

Why?

Because I love a story about a boy and his dog. I love a story about a boy, his dog, and fighting for its right to live.

That is what Northrop delivers in this novel.

I knew from the moment JD returned from “upstate” and met the dog that this was going to be a symbolic story of redemption, for both of them.

And it was.

The author has paced the plot of this novel nicely, introducing JD as he is returning from “upstate,” which leaves readers with questions...more

like · see review

Apr 18, 2013 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

JD returns home after a summer away to find his mom has acquired a new dog, a Rottweiller, a "bully breed." She calls him Jon-Jon; JD prefers Johnny Rotten after the lead singer for the Sex Pistols. Johnny has been rescued from an abusive home, so he still has some trust issues. JD recognizes he must build a relationship slowly, but when a friend jumps the fence and confronts Johnny, the dog does what scared animals do. And now JD may lose his new friend. Michael Northrop writes teenage boys wel...more

like · see review

May 16, 2013 Brenda Kahn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, dogs, friendship, juvenile-delinquents, plnnj

It's a lonely bus ride home for sixteen-year-old Jimmer (JD) Dobbs. He's been "upstate" for the summer and would really rather not talk about it. His single mom is not at the bus station to meet him and it's a quiet ride home once she arrives. He's unpleasantly surprised to find a hulking Rottweiler in their home. JD's mom rescued the dog, who doesn't like men because he had been abused. As JD tentatively reconnects with his friends and angsts over his ex, JD slowly bonds with the dog, whom he n...more

like · see review

Apr 15, 2013 Betsy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, realistic-fiction, young-adult

Confession: I had a part Rottweiler, part lab that looked an AWFUL lot like the dog on the cover. Ergo, I was totally biased going into this book :-).

Still, I found the book true to life and well written, both in the way the dog and boy come to terms with each other, the way the boys' friendship worked, the language these edgy teens used (they're the kind of kids who have a bad image, but aren't really "bad"--they won't turn down a beer at age 16, but that's about it), and the plot in general. I...more

like · see review

May 11, 2013 Amy Fournier rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, blog-tour-2013, own

I admit that I was nervous going into this because I was terrified about what might happen to the dog. This story was very hard to read if you are an animal lover. It was emotional, enraging, and hopeful. This was a book that had me feeling irrationally angry at times, close to tears at others, and smiling at other times. This is about a broken boy and a broken dog and how they save each other. I thought it was wonderful!

JD has been away for the summer and when he comes home his mom has gotten t...more I admit that I was nervous going into this because I was terrified about what might happen to the dog. This story was very hard to read if you are an animal lover. It was emotional, enraging, and hopeful. This was a book that had me feeling irrationally angry at times, close to tears at others, and smiling at other times. This is about a broken boy and a broken dog and how they save each other. I thought it was wonderful!

JD has been away for the summer and when he comes home his mom has gotten them a dog. JD is beating himself up over the secret that he's hiding, and isn't so sure about the dog, but he slowly opens up to him just as the dog, JR for Johnny Rotten, opens up to him too. JD seems like he might be a troubled boy, but he really is a good kid and he just happened to do some stupid things. Things that are now coming back to bite him as they have to fight to save JR. I thought that JD was insecure, afraid, and most of all, ashamed of himself. I loved the bond that he formed with JR and what he was willing to do to save him.

Now here is where I get a little personal in this review. The whole situation with them just labeling the dog as bad and dismissing him as an object makes me so mad. The fact that they can just dismiss how horrible the other people are because a dog is "just an animal" made me get very worked and angry. I got very emotional reading this book because I know what it's like to lose a dog because of a situation gone wrong. I won't go into my actual situation, but I do know how JD felt so this really hit my emotions hard.

This was a very quick read that was tough on my emotions, but really a fantastic book about friendship and hope. It shows the good and bad of people and what people are willing to do on both sides of the scale whether it be save the ones you care about, or destroy them for selfish reasons. It was about getting a second chance and doing everything you can to make the most of it because that second chance could be gone before you know it. This story was really harsh, but beautiful.(less)

like · see review

Apr 28, 2013 Evie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, contemporary, thought-provoking, very-enjoyable, ya

Emotionally affecting and thematically poignant, Rotten is a great, deliciously readable story. Despite the serious (often heartbreaking) subject matter, the overall tone of the book is light and easy to digest. Meaningful, but not heavy. This heartfelt and insightful tale teaches us about the importance of love, trust and friendship (whether it's between two people or a man and man's best friend), and that everyone deserves a second chance. A really heart-warming, deep and honest story, capable...more Emotionally affecting and thematically poignant, Rotten is a great, deliciously readable story. Despite the serious (often heartbreaking) subject matter, the overall tone of the book is light and easy to digest. Meaningful, but not heavy. This heartfelt and insightful tale teaches us about the importance of love, trust and friendship (whether it's between two people or a man and man's best friend), and that everyone deserves a second chance. A really heart-warming, deep and honest story, capable of being both funny and moving. Books like this one get my tail wagging!

JR isn't even technically my dog. He's half my dog, and it wasn't that long ago that he felt like even less than that. But now that he's in trouble? Now that he gets taken away first thing in the morning and I don't even know if he's coming back? Now he feels like my dog. Because I know what that feels like. He's had it tough, and he didn't even mean it anyway, and no one really has a clue about him. So, yeah. Sounds like my dog to me.

When JD comes home after spending his summer "upstate" supposedly visiting his aunt, he finds a surprise waiting for him. A black, furry surprise with a sweet tooth for biscuits. JR (Johnny Rotten, like the lead singer of the Sex Pistols) is a big and dangerous-looking Rottweiler who is afraid of his own shadow. He's a rescue dog with abuse-filled past. JD's mom adopted him while JD was away. Of course, not one of JD's friends knows where he really spent his summer, though they all seem to agree on one thing: it wasn't with his aunt. When JR gets in trouble for biting one of JD's friends, the secret that JD is so determined to protect is about to be unveiled. JD might lose a whole lot more than just his face, though. He might lose his new-found friend.

Rotten is both very entertaining and thought-provoking. I especially loved the conversational tone of the narrative and the sparkly dialogues. The back and forth between JD and his friends is strikingly realistic and delightfully hilarious. I thought Michael Northrop did a fantastic job portraying teenage interactions! They're quirky, laugh-out-loud funny and painfully honest. I loved all the jokes and punch lines, and thought the dynamics of their relationships were very believable. The characters felt real, and that's what made this book shine in my eyes.

I really liked the lead character, JD. He is pretty much a regular guy, with a regular personality, but there was something about him that really made it easy for me to warm up to him. He's suspicious by nature, he doesn't trust easily and he often has a hard time opening to people. In that sense, he's a lot like JR, and that's probably why they connected so well. At the same time, he's very loyal and protective of both his mom and JR, which really made me love him a lot! He's been through some rough times himself, and so he understands and feels for JR. And he's determined to create a good, warm and loving home for him. He's definitely a good kid and a great protagonist!

Rotten is a book that really speaks to your heart. In my opinion, it's a story that can be enjoyed by both girls and boys, teens and adults alike. Animal lovers and realistic fiction fans will definitely love this one! I highly recommend it!

___
Review also posted at:

(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 25, 2013 Susan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Rotten is a modern-day story of redemption and will connect with all kinds of readers: boys like Jimmer who are anything but mainstream; and girls and boys who need to be reminded that almost everyone loses their way from time to time. Readers will quickly and deeply love the ironically-named “Rotten” (a large Rottweiler), and it’s easy to draw parallels between Rotten, who’s made a few mistakes himself, and Jimmer, the main character. Boy and dog progress steadily, if unevenly, and it’s the ser...more

like · see review

Apr 18, 2013 Jamie (The Title Page) rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Before I start this review, I want to tell you a bit about myself.

A few years back I adopted this dog, Maddie. She was a doberman/lab/hound mix and absolutely adored me, and I adored her. She was fear aggressive, which means she will attack someone who is attacking her, or someone who she thinks is going to attack her.

Let me digress a bit to explain one other thing; There is no such thing as self-defense in the dog world. If a dog bites you, regardless of whether or not you deserve the bite, the...more

like · see review

Feb 17, 2013 Karen Yingling rated it 3 of 5 stars

JD, who isn't the best behaved kid in the world, returns to town after spending the summer "at his aunt's". No one believes him. His friends are cool with his absence, his girlfriend a bit less so. His mother has taken in a rescue dog in his absence, a huge Rottweiler she has named Jon-Jon but whom JD rechristens Johnny Rotten. The dog has been mistreated and is scared of men, especially when cornered, but is generally a good dog. When JD's friend Mars hops the fence into JD's yard and corners t...more

like · see review

May 13, 2013 Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, animal, psc-reviews, realistic-fiction, young-adult

JD comes back from spending the summer “upstate” to discover that his mom has rescued a Rottweiler while he was gone. They re-name the dog Johnny Rotten – after the guy in the Sex Pistols. Both Johnny and JD have some issues to work through, but when Johnny bites someone, things get serious fast. Some language. Good choice for reluctant readers, especially boys although some will find it a bit too lengthy.

like · see review

Jun 10, 2013 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

You're rooting for the underdog the whole way through this story! Jimmer has just returned from juvenile detention and his dog has just bitten a friend. Things don't quite figure though, and Jimmer realizes his friend is trying to take him to the cleaners and sue for the dog bite. As you get to know the dog (Johnny Rotten), you see his sweet side.

like · see review

May 19, 2013 Sonja rated it 4 of 5 stars

In this enjoyable "boy and his dog" book, but the boy and his dog are, frankly, a bit unsavory. The boy hangs out on the low end of the trouble-maker scale. The dog is a Rottweiler rescue with a troubled past and an unpredictable streak. Yet when one bad moment leads to serious trouble, we can't but root for them both to finally get a couple of points in the "win" column.

like · see review

title link	preview: Rotten
avg rating	preview: Rotten Goodreads rating: 3.79 (84 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15812319-rotten?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364259353l/15812319.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15812319-rotten?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Rotten by Michael Northrop[/url]

Rotten

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

Genres

About Michael Northrop

Books by Michael Northrop

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Rotten

Rotten

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

Genres

About Michael Northrop

Books by Michael Northrop

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Rotten

new topic
Discuss This Book