Darkness: Where light is not. Light: Brightness or illumination from a particular source.
Absolute brightness: The mystery of Leonard Pelkey.
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Dec 22, 2008
Tasha
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15-year-old Phoebe lives with her mother and older sister Deirdre in a house attached to her mother's beauty salon. Leonard, their uncle's stepson comes to live with them and neither of the girls is ready to give him even the slightest chance. It doesn't help that Leonard is unusual. He doesn't seem to care that his behavior may get him beat up or at the very least ignored by everyone. He goes ahead and wears the clothing he wants to, which include platform sneakers that he made himself. Le
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Apr 16, 2008
Kasia
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I really wanted to like this book, and in the beginning I did. I think it is an important topic, I liked narrators voice, I liked that her reaction to Leonard seemed realistic, Leonard was adorable. I liked that it was set up as a mystery. HOWEVER. This book needed an editor more than any book I have ever read. There is no reason it needs to be almost 500 pages. I felt like the author was trying to cram in way too many topics that were not important to the core story of a hate crime (the Iraq wa
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Nov 06, 2011
Sarah
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Honestly I read this book as a sixteen year old girl and I've never had a character speak for teenagers as well as Phoebe does.
Phoebe isn't your normal spoiled emo "average teenager" she is herself, besides her colorful hair Phoebe is pretty boring and normal. She's not use to change and she's still adjusting to her families divorce. When her cousin, Leonard, comes to live with her she's clearly bugged and hates him.
As a teenager you can relate a lot to Phoebe, because when More...
Phoebe isn't your normal spoiled emo "average teenager" she is herself, besides her colorful hair Phoebe is pretty boring and normal. She's not use to change and she's still adjusting to her families divorce. When her cousin, Leonard, comes to live with her she's clearly bugged and hates him.
As a teenager you can relate a lot to Phoebe, because when More...
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Jan 27, 2009
Absolute Brightness, by James Lecesne
It was just the three of them, mom who runs a beauty salon called “Hair Today”, Deidre – the gorgeous older sister who turns heads as she walks down the street, and Phoebe – the spiky fuchsia haired 9th grader who loves to read and wants life to just be normal. And then there was Leonard – who shows up on their doorstep, their 14 year old cousin who was wearing Capri pants (pink and lime green plaid) a too-small T-shirt, and a pair of shoes that we More...
It was just the three of them, mom who runs a beauty salon called “Hair Today”, Deidre – the gorgeous older sister who turns heads as she walks down the street, and Phoebe – the spiky fuchsia haired 9th grader who loves to read and wants life to just be normal. And then there was Leonard – who shows up on their doorstep, their 14 year old cousin who was wearing Capri pants (pink and lime green plaid) a too-small T-shirt, and a pair of shoes that we More...
Jan 22, 2011
Alicia
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 28, 2010
Peter
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This was a difficult book to read and not because of the content. In an effort to make his characters more real for the reader, Lecesne would veer off into long narrative back stories about people encountered in the book. This often made for long sidetracks in the narrative and, I'm sure, added to the lengthy page count.
Yet, while some characters receive lengthy descriptions, other characters, even those more important to the story aren't given the same treatment. At one point tow More...
Yet, while some characters receive lengthy descriptions, other characters, even those more important to the story aren't given the same treatment. At one point tow More...
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Apr 23, 2009
Doug
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Plot: Leonard Pelkey moves in with his cousin Phoebe, Deirdre and their mom when his father is unable to take care of him. Leonard is 14 and obviously gay, he spends his time planning makeovers for the clients at the mom’s beauty parlor, creating platform sneakers and trying out for drama camp. For some reason he forms an attachment to Phoebe who tries her hardest to resist the friendship. When Leonard is bullied by Travis Lembeck, and his money clip is stolen, Phoebe kisses Travis and
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Aug 06, 2009
Christina
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Written by an activist for the gay community, Absolute Brightness is a story about tolerance (or lack thereof) and learning to choose love over hate even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Leonard Pelkey comes to live with his cousin, Phoebe, upon the death of his mother. Having never met Leonard, Phoebe has no idea what to expect. Leonard arrives packing all of his obvious flamboyance in tow. Though he never actually admits to being gay, his clothing, sense of style and fashi More...
Leonard Pelkey comes to live with his cousin, Phoebe, upon the death of his mother. Having never met Leonard, Phoebe has no idea what to expect. Leonard arrives packing all of his obvious flamboyance in tow. Though he never actually admits to being gay, his clothing, sense of style and fashi More...
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Nov 05, 2011
Tom
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Dear Mr Lecesne
Thank you for writing Absolute Brightness.
life is complex, life has many many levels... We don't always get to choose our focus. We have all been hurt, or been abused, or been ignored, or been in love, or been infatuated, or been thought of as "less-than", or been confused, or been unsure, or been mean, or been misunderstood or have been loved, or have been deeply appreciated...
And many of have experienced a multitude of experience, of sens More...
Thank you for writing Absolute Brightness.
life is complex, life has many many levels... We don't always get to choose our focus. We have all been hurt, or been abused, or been ignored, or been in love, or been infatuated, or been thought of as "less-than", or been confused, or been unsure, or been mean, or been misunderstood or have been loved, or have been deeply appreciated...
And many of have experienced a multitude of experience, of sens More...
Nov 20, 2010
Tweller83
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"Gr 8 Up-The small coastal town of Neptune, NJ, is thrown for a loop when flamboyant and flashy Leonard, 14, arrives to live with the Hertle family. His cousin Phoebe, 15, resents his inclusion and watches with annoyance as he proceeds to join the high school drama crowd and give her mother's beauty parlor clients makeovers of body and mind. When Leonard goes missing, Phoebe begins to realize that she had not been able to see beyond his six-inch platform sneakers; his love for others and hi
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Sep 17, 2010
Lauren
rated it:
First off, I just have to say this. I love the cover! And the title is awesome (once you have finished the book).
The main character is a fifteen year old girl who matures through the book into a seventeen year old. It was a entertaining read; it was funny, sad, and serious all at the same time. This book made me cry.:)
Unfortunately, some parts of it were very predicatble. Some of this was balanced by surprises, but not totally. Overall a good summer read, a very respectable and worth-reading t
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Sep 12, 2011
Nicole
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 20, 2008
Faith
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I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about this novel.
It's not really YA. If you made the MC a college student rather than a high school student, I think it would have worked better. Also cut out about a hundred or so pages and most of the various character back story. In fact with the amount of back story you do get I am annoyed (?) that I still don't understand some of the characters motivations behind their actions. I get that you're not really supposed to understand the mur More...
It's not really YA. If you made the MC a college student rather than a high school student, I think it would have worked better. Also cut out about a hundred or so pages and most of the various character back story. In fact with the amount of back story you do get I am annoyed (?) that I still don't understand some of the characters motivations behind their actions. I get that you're not really supposed to understand the mur More...
Aug 24, 2010
♥ Rachel♥
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Mar 22, 2009
Ricki
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Things I loved about this book: Leonard. He was a character that I will never forget. I also loved the title and how it really matched with my image of Leonard.
Things I disliked about this book: I like to think our world isn't as terrible a place as the author made it out to be. I also wish the author didn't feel forced to make Leonard disappear in order for the people to appreciate him (besides the old salon ladies). Additionally, this book was way too long. The author was trying to More...
Things I disliked about this book: I like to think our world isn't as terrible a place as the author made it out to be. I also wish the author didn't feel forced to make Leonard disappear in order for the people to appreciate him (besides the old salon ladies). Additionally, this book was way too long. The author was trying to More...
Dec 06, 2009
Merri
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I love this book so so so so so much. I've read it at least three times. The first time I read it, I finished it in a day. It made me laugh, and cry (well, inside anyway. I'm too tough for actual tears ;) ), and feel generally ashamed of humanity*...but also kind of hopeful for the future. Maybe we'll become more accepting/compassionate...? The one thing that bugged me though is the main character, Phoebe, falling for the complete creeper/homophobe/bully, Travis. I kind of felt like that took aw
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Jan 22, 2009
Ventril
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Feb 20, 2009
Nicole
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This book was unsettling, not because of the subject matter but because of the writing style. Clearly this is a first time author with an agenda and a story to tell. Unfortunately, he's just not that great at the telling (yet...I have faith in Lecesne, give him another couple years). Some details were rushing over or ignored while others were painfully drawn out.
It might have been better as 2 novels- one about Leonard and one about the subsequent trial. The protagonist feels like More...
It might have been better as 2 novels- one about Leonard and one about the subsequent trial. The protagonist feels like More...
Dec 23, 2010
Cheyenne
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When I was in the library, this book really stuck out at me. The striped binding, the title, and the boy's cute face on the cover. Leo was a really weird boy, but I liked that. It just...fit him. He pulled it off. I can't believe the way that some people treated him that way. It's wrong; gay or not. Overall, this book was pretty good. The narrator, Phoebe, wasn't all that interesting to me. Leo, however, was another story. I was sad that I didn't get to know more about him...
This book showe More...
This book showe More...
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Mar 19, 2010
Andrew
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This book was a very interesting read. I had a hard time putting it down. When I finished reading, it really made me think. I remember trying to fit in to a certain group or clique, and I could relate to the characters in the story. Leonard was a very unique person, and I was saddened to see his life cut short. This book shows the reader that all life is special and has value. Everyone has different ideas, and they should be cherished and supported. I would recommend this book and look fo
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Feb 19, 2009
J.
rated it:
A fairly good novel. About 3/4 of the way through, Lecensne makes the point of what he's trying to do: not all stories of crimes need to have that strong find clues, have trial, bring criminal to justice narrative line--real life isn't as clear cut as an episode of CSI. It's a good point. The problem is that some of the writing lacks energy, and there is an imbalance between exposition and dialogue. That's not necessarily a bad thing to everyone, I just like to have more dialogue in a novel than
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Jan 15, 2012
Larissa
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This starts off as a very stereotypical teen story: fifteen-year-old Phoebe Hertle has a problem, and it’s her cousin Leonard Pelkey, who has come to live with her family. He’s different, different as in flamboyant, colorful, theatrical. She dyes her hair a lot and is into things most teen girls aren’t into and blah blah blah blah blah. Only Leonard is really something. He’s not magical, if that’s what you’re thinking. Not in that way. He’s not a vampire or a ghost or anyone particularly special
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Mar 31, 2011
Chris
rated it:
This is a book for anyone who has been bullied or bullied themselves, needs to read, especially if your a young boy who is still trying to come to terms with your sexuality.
The character that drove the plot of this story was great. I found him to be so full out life that you never wanted it to end. This character is like so many young boys today who are told as they grow up to be themselves. But as they grow up and still with that same idea, they start to see that the world doesn't a More...
The character that drove the plot of this story was great. I found him to be so full out life that you never wanted it to end. This character is like so many young boys today who are told as they grow up to be themselves. But as they grow up and still with that same idea, they start to see that the world doesn't a More...
Aug 19, 2011
Brynn
rated it: 
1.5 stars. This was a book that I originally intended not to "judge by it's cover". To tell the truth, I love magic-fantasy, but I thought that by reading this book (and fulfilling a challenge posted to me by my teacher), I would be able to appreciate different pieces of fiction.
This book did not help.
The story started out rather dully, but I continued to think, "It's going to get better...now, maybe it will pick up a little more..." Needless to say, t More...
This book did not help.
The story started out rather dully, but I continued to think, "It's going to get better...now, maybe it will pick up a little more..." Needless to say, t More...
Oct 17, 2008
Becky
rated it:
Phoebe's life changes--both for better and worse--when her cousin, her gay fourteen-year-old cousin, Leonard moves into their basement. Phoebe has never met anyone--ANYONE--like Leonard before. He's so completely crazy-unique. He instantly annoys and embarrasses her all at the same time. The way he dresses. The way he talks. The way he carries himself. The way people treat him. He charms and flatters many folks--he's got them wrapped around his finger--but for others Leonard represents everythin
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Jun 07, 2008
Nancy
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Teens Phoebe and Deirdre are not thrilled to have a cousin they've never heard of come to live with them. They refuse to share a room, and their mother prepares a corner in the musty basement blocked off with cardboard boxes. When Leonard arrives, they are even more dismayed. He swishes, he wears outrageous outfits, he's as queer-seeming as can be. Phoebe tries to warn him to change his ways, but he doesn't get it, replying that he's just being himself.
Where he does make a big diffe More...
Where he does make a big diffe More...
Dec 16, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
Leonard Pelkey doesn't fit in anywhere. His mother has died, leaving him with Phoebe's uncle, now his legal guardian. But Uncle Mike has plans to go to Mexico to invest in cattle. So Phoebe's mom, Ellen, arranges for Leonard to come and live with them in Neptune, New Jersey. But Neptune isn't ready for Leonard. Saying Leonard is a bit outrageous is being optimistic. Phoebe and her sister, Deirdre, treat Leonard as an unwelcome house guest, going More...
Leonard Pelkey doesn't fit in anywhere. His mother has died, leaving him with Phoebe's uncle, now his legal guardian. But Uncle Mike has plans to go to Mexico to invest in cattle. So Phoebe's mom, Ellen, arranges for Leonard to come and live with them in Neptune, New Jersey. But Neptune isn't ready for Leonard. Saying Leonard is a bit outrageous is being optimistic. Phoebe and her sister, Deirdre, treat Leonard as an unwelcome house guest, going More...
Jun 10, 2008
Susan P
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Phoebe's "cousin" Leonard moves in with her family and embarrasses her wherever he goes. Leonard is a piece of work. He arrives wearing pink and lime green plaid capri pants and a tiny t-shirt that exposes his midriff. Phoebe can tell immediately that he isn’t going to fit in in their blue collar town. Not surprisingly, he is tormented at school, but the old ladies who frequent her mother’s beauty parlor love him. Leonard is soon working at the salon and dispensing fashion advice
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May 11, 2009
Kricket
rated it:
phoebe is not wild about her cousin leonard. he appears from nowhere to live with her family, and disrupts her life with his enthusiasm, positivity, and rainbow platform sneakers. no matter how hard she tries to be indifferent to him- his flamboyant ways embarrass her- he sees the best in her, and loves her.
but just as quickly as he appears, he disappears without a trace. and phoebe finds out that her grudging attention was the best that leonard ever had, and tries to do better by hi More...
but just as quickly as he appears, he disappears without a trace. and phoebe finds out that her grudging attention was the best that leonard ever had, and tries to do better by hi More...
Mar 30, 2009
Candida
rated it:
2009 Morris Honor
This was a really good book though not a book that I would normally read. I thought that the author did a good job of writing from a teenager's point of view. I liked the way that he dealt with how Leonard was generally misunderstood but beloved by those whose lives he touched. I also liked how he had Phoebe deal with how unfairly she had treated Leonard after he disappeared. The best part of the book was how the author had the characters struggle with issues that were not More...
This was a really good book though not a book that I would normally read. I thought that the author did a good job of writing from a teenager's point of view. I liked the way that he dealt with how Leonard was generally misunderstood but beloved by those whose lives he touched. I also liked how he had Phoebe deal with how unfairly she had treated Leonard after he disappeared. The best part of the book was how the author had the characters struggle with issues that were not More...
