An eighth grade girl was taken today . . . With this first sentence, readers are immediately thrust into a fast-paced thriller that doesn't let up ...
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Dec 15, 2011
Keithh
rated it: 
When I looked at the cover and the title, a boy is running from something. The first thought that I had “what’s it?” This book immediately got my attention. Along with my reading, I found out there is lot of interesting thing going on in this book. The government financial limit, the children workhouse, and our protagonist 13-year-old Matt. But do not think this would be a lower grade novel because this protagonist in the book is a kid. Because what he is facing in the book and w
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Dec 07, 2011
Calvin
rated it: 
In the story, “The Limit”, the government puts a debt limits on every family. If they go over the debt limit, the oldest children are taken away to workhouses, to work off their parents’ debt. When Matt (the main character in the novel) is taken away from his home, and taken to the workhouse because his parents exceeded their debt limit. If this ever happened to me and my family, I would be afraid because I would be the one taken away.
Overall, this book is really fun and interesting to read More...
Overall, this book is really fun and interesting to read More...
Nov 27, 2011
Leia
rated it:
A fun "quickie" to read when you're feeling a bit nostalgic for the times when you thought one administrator with delusions of grandeur who will stop at nothing, including exploiting children, was villainous and monstrous instead of... pretty damn ordinary.
Liked:
Fast-paced and action packed.
This is like Dystopian Lite. It's easy and fast to read and its a fantastic concept that so much more could've been done with.
Tight writing with some moment More...
Liked:
Fast-paced and action packed.
This is like Dystopian Lite. It's easy and fast to read and its a fantastic concept that so much more could've been done with.
Tight writing with some moment More...
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Nov 03, 2011
Jan
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In 13-year-old Matt's world, the government imposes debt limits on families. If they exceed the debt limit, the oldest children are taken away to workhouses, to work off their parents' debt. When Matt is dragged from his home and taken to the workhouse because his parents exceeded their debt limit, he thinks he will just be there a short time -- until he finds out the truth. There is a lot more happening in the workhouse than he thought.
I really liked the premise of this b More...
I really liked the premise of this b More...
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Aug 15, 2011
Jodi
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I was really excited to read The Limit. I thought that the concept was so original and interesting - parents spend more than they can afford and their kid gets taken away to pay off their debts at a work camp. Interesting! However, I felt like the story just never got very exciting. I felt that Landon had such an original idea but that it was maybe too original for her to really take off with.
I was a bit confused as to why Matt was taken away to a work camp when his parents had n More...
I was a bit confused as to why Matt was taken away to a work camp when his parents had n More...
Jul 30, 2011
Jodi
rated it:
I was really excited to read The Limit. I thought that the concept was so original and interesting - parents spend more than they can afford and their kid gets taken away to pay off their debts at a work camp. Interesting! However, I felt like the story just never got very exciting. I felt that Landon had such an original idea but that it was maybe too original for her to really take off with.
I was a bit confused as to why Matt was taken away to a work camp when his parents ha More...
I was a bit confused as to why Matt was taken away to a work camp when his parents ha More...
May 26, 2011
Brandy
rated it:
Matt is flipping through a magazine near the check-outs when his mom gets the news: their family is over their limit. Humiliations aside, this is Bad News. By the time they've gotten home from the store, there's already a black limo outside, waiting to take 13-year-old Matt to the workhouse to earn the money his family needs to get them back under their government-mandated limit. Luckily, Matt gets assigned to the Top Floor, where the smartest kids have the most swank accommodations and most int
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May 10, 2011
Jerome
rated it: 
The Limit Book Review
By: Jerome Chan
“The Limit” is a really enjoyable book to read. The author Kristen Landon uses a really good plot, which has many creative ideas and storylines. I haven’t read a book like this before. What I found really interesting about the book was it focused on the protagonist throughout the story. It was like seeing through the character eyes, the surprises, twists and victory. I also like how the book relates to every teenager. The plot More...
By: Jerome Chan
“The Limit” is a really enjoyable book to read. The author Kristen Landon uses a really good plot, which has many creative ideas and storylines. I haven’t read a book like this before. What I found really interesting about the book was it focused on the protagonist throughout the story. It was like seeing through the character eyes, the surprises, twists and victory. I also like how the book relates to every teenager. The plot More...
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May 10, 2011
Dorian
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The Limit by Kristeen Landon is an action packed book with an interesting concept. It revolves around the story of a 13 year old boy named Matt and his adventures. It takes place in a society similar to the one today, but there is one difference, the government have much more power and control over family’s lives. Matt himself has the misfortune of being taken away to a workhouse to work off his parent’s debt. Luckily, Matt is a smart kid and is placed on the top floor where the most intelligen
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May 10, 2011
Reena
rated it:
When I saw the title of the book, I had a curiosity about the book. What is The Limit? What is The Limit about? Many questions appeared in my mind. Once I started reading the novel, I realized the story is quite different from what I expected.
The concept of The Limit is creative. Every family has a limit of how much money they can spend. If they go over their limits, their kids will be taken away to the workhouse to repay their debts. The main character called Matt is an More...
The concept of The Limit is creative. Every family has a limit of how much money they can spend. If they go over their limits, their kids will be taken away to the workhouse to repay their debts. The main character called Matt is an More...
Apr 06, 2011
Sab
rated it:
Another corporate oligarchy/money equals life kind of dystopian future, so you'd think I'd be really into it, but this book is pretty ridiculous.
Basically every family has a budget limit and if you go over it, even a dime, one of your kids is whisked off and thrown into a work camp until you get back under your limit.
The book is REMARKABLY preachy when it comes to people going over their limit -- even the main character, Matt, can't imagine why his parents would spend more th More...
Basically every family has a budget limit and if you go over it, even a dime, one of your kids is whisked off and thrown into a work camp until you get back under your limit.
The book is REMARKABLY preachy when it comes to people going over their limit -- even the main character, Matt, can't imagine why his parents would spend more th More...
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Jan 31, 2011
Sarai
rated it:
Overall, I liked this book all right. The main character, Matt, who is supposed to be super smart and logical, did do some things that seemed rather silly - pretending to promise to follow the rules and then making a plan to purposefully break the rules in an obvious way later that same day. But the idea of the story was interesting - parents who go over their credit limits have their child taken to a workhouse until the debt is paid off. Maybe not such a bad idea, except have the person who wen
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Jan 13, 2011
Carolyn
rated it:
Matt is a thirteen year old math wiz who lives in a future society where family debt is managed by the government. When families go over their limit, a child is taken from them and put into a work house where that child helps work off the family's debt. Usually they don't take kids as young as Matt, but things are changing. Matt is taken. He discovers the work house is more like a prison and is lied to about many things, including his ability to contact his parents.
The book was class More...
The book was class More...
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Dec 29, 2010
nicole
rated it:
I'm on the fence for this one.
The premise is incredibly intriguing, particularly at this moment in economic history. I haven't come across many middle-grade titles, other than Gary Paulsen's Lawn Boy, that talk about money in a real and honest way. Landon's description of clueless parents, who care for their children, but not their finances, who fall for get-rich-quick-schemes and have difficulty pulling themselves out of debt is woefully honest. The scene in which Matt's mom learns More...
The premise is incredibly intriguing, particularly at this moment in economic history. I haven't come across many middle-grade titles, other than Gary Paulsen's Lawn Boy, that talk about money in a real and honest way. Landon's description of clueless parents, who care for their children, but not their finances, who fall for get-rich-quick-schemes and have difficulty pulling themselves out of debt is woefully honest. The scene in which Matt's mom learns More...
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Dec 29, 2010
Taffy
rated it:
Interesting look into what could be the future. And as usual, I was really frustrated with the abuse of power some leaders use.
In the future every family has a spending limit, some more than others. If the family goes over the limit, the government takes a child from the family to work off their debt in a workhouse. After the family goes below the limit the child can go home.
Except one place is using the kids to make money.
The story follows Matt as he goes from spo More...
In the future every family has a spending limit, some more than others. If the family goes over the limit, the government takes a child from the family to work off their debt in a workhouse. After the family goes below the limit the child can go home.
Except one place is using the kids to make money.
The story follows Matt as he goes from spo More...
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Sep 12, 2010
Kelly
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This is set in a society where every family has a set spending limit. If you go over, your oldest child (assuming they’re at least of high school–and then middle school–age) is sent to a workhouse to help your spending get back under the limit.
When Matt is taken to the workhouse, he doesn’t know what to expect. He’s pretty sure it’ll be creepy there, and that he’ll have to do a lot of menial labor.
Instead, it’s sort of like a big party. He’s on the top floor, which mean More...
When Matt is taken to the workhouse, he doesn’t know what to expect. He’s pretty sure it’ll be creepy there, and that he’ll have to do a lot of menial labor.
Instead, it’s sort of like a big party. He’s on the top floor, which mean More...
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Nov 09, 2011
Paulina
rated it:
The Limit by Kristen Landon is what I would consider a good debut novel. I know it isn't Landon's first published novel, but I would think it was if I hadn't checked first.
An eighth grade girl was taken today . . .
With this first sentence, readers are immediately thrust into a fast-paced thriller that doesn’t let up for a moment. In a world not too far removed from our own, kids are being taken away to special workhouses if their families exceed the debt limit imposed by More...
An eighth grade girl was taken today . . .
With this first sentence, readers are immediately thrust into a fast-paced thriller that doesn’t let up for a moment. In a world not too far removed from our own, kids are being taken away to special workhouses if their families exceed the debt limit imposed by More...
Jul 10, 2011
Aimee
rated it:
Can you imagine a world where adults are given a spending limit and if they go over the limit, the government takes their children away to a workhouse to work off the debt? Well, Matt can. This is exactly what happened to him. His parents were irresponsible with their spending and now he is paying for it. Fortunately for Matt, his mathematical and problem solving abilities helped him test very high and he ended up working on the top floor with a posh room to himself, an indoor pool and even
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Jan 25, 2011
Ms-Heather
rated it:
In the not-too-distant future the government has stepped in to "help" individuals control their personal debt. Everyone is given a limit, and families who exceed their limit are given options: they can undergo a program of strict spending regulation or send one of their children to a workhouse.
This has always been something that happened to other families. Then one day Matt's mother's card is rejected at the supermarket. A few hours later Matt is taken. At first it More...
This has always been something that happened to other families. Then one day Matt's mother's card is rejected at the supermarket. A few hours later Matt is taken. At first it More...
Jan 25, 2011
Heather
rated it:
In the not-too-distant future the government has stepped in to "help" individuals control their personal debt. Everyone is given a limit, and families who exceed their limit are given options: they can undergo a program of strict spending regulation or send one of their children to a workhouse.
This has always been something that happened to other families. Then one day Matt's mother's card is rejected at the supermarket. A few hours later Matt is taken. At first it More...
This has always been something that happened to other families. Then one day Matt's mother's card is rejected at the supermarket. A few hours later Matt is taken. At first it More...
Aug 25, 2010
Lenore
rated it:
13 year old Matt lives in a world where going over your family credit limit can have serious consequences, but Matt's family is not worried. Their father has a great job, and the family spends and spends. One day, on a shopping spree, Matt's mother is informed that she has gone over their limit, and soon the government authorities come pick up Matt to make him work off the family's debt.
This fast-paced middle grade novel has such an interesting premise, and addresses the prob More...
This fast-paced middle grade novel has such an interesting premise, and addresses the prob More...
Oct 13, 2011
Katie
rated it:
Although the inside flap is relatively corny, "The Limit" is an excellent novel. The mystery is awesome, the charecters-especially Matt-believable and exciting.
Remember, if you are reading this, that this book is for "middle-grade" aged children. I'm in highschool, and found the big-twist very predictable. But, to Landon's credit, I finished the whole thing in one sitting. A truly enjoyable factor: no overkill on the romance. Paige was nice, and you kind of felt like s More...
Remember, if you are reading this, that this book is for "middle-grade" aged children. I'm in highschool, and found the big-twist very predictable. But, to Landon's credit, I finished the whole thing in one sitting. A truly enjoyable factor: no overkill on the romance. Paige was nice, and you kind of felt like s More...
Mar 29, 2011
Karen
rated it:
The Limit is Kristen Landon’s first middle grade novel and what a great job of it she did too! The very first paragraph in this book grabbed me and I knew I was going to love it! Whilst the first three chapters could have been about any local kid living an ordinary life with his family, I soon realised from odd little whispered comments on ‘the limit’ that things wouldn’t stay that way for long.
Matt is 13 years old and a genius at math. His character is well developed and I felt at e More...
Matt is 13 years old and a genius at math. His character is well developed and I felt at e More...
Dec 22, 2010
Matthew
rated it: 
This book is anything, but "fast-paced" as the synopsis misleadingly convinces you to buy it. "The Limit" is possibly the worst book I have ever read. Kristen Landon writes as if she has lived in a leaking cardboard box her entire life. Lacking complete structure, this story fails to both entertain or intrigue readers of all reading levels. I only finished this book, to prove to myself that similar to those children in the Special Olympics that, "I can do it!"
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Feb 01, 2012
Annie
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Oct 25, 2010
Vanessa
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Matt lives in a society where all families are given a "limit" to their debt. Once a family goes over the limit they must complete some program to bring them back under the limit. One of those options is to send one of their children to a work camp where they work they do will help to pay off the debt. Matt never worries about this until one day his family unexpectedly goes over the limit. Before he knows it a big black vehicle arrives at his house and a small syrupy lady and some larg
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Nov 29, 2010
Book Angel Emma
rated it:
Written in first person narrative from Matt's perspective. Just your average tween math genius forcibly taken from his family when they go over their government assigned credit limit.
The scenario of over-spending and excess consumerism is so frighteningly easy to picture with today's society. A global economic crisis yet spending is encouraged even if it means going into debt to maintaining an image that cannot be afforded. Showing the emphasis placed on material possessions by a More...
The scenario of over-spending and excess consumerism is so frighteningly easy to picture with today's society. A global economic crisis yet spending is encouraged even if it means going into debt to maintaining an image that cannot be afforded. Showing the emphasis placed on material possessions by a More...
Dec 05, 2011
Jessie
rated it:
Another first book by an author. I enjoyed this book and the premise. It wasn't as predictable as I thought at first. ** stop for spoilers*** I liked the idea that when a family went over their limit (the amount of money that they had) the government would step in and take control. Only in this world the government didn't allow people to choose the option they went straight for the slave labor of the kids. I thought it was interesting that the kids were smart enough to help big companies.
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Oct 11, 2010
Astrid
rated it:
As Margaret Peterson Haddix wrote on the cover blurb - it is a bit close to our reality today in terms of over spending but in this world, there are consequences to that that are indeed scary.
Feels like a future not far off where teens are sent to workcamps to work off family debt when the family goes over their alloted spending limit. Families easily spend and don't watch their receipts grow until the black car arrives to take the eldest teen away.
A quick and fun read. More...
Feels like a future not far off where teens are sent to workcamps to work off family debt when the family goes over their alloted spending limit. Families easily spend and don't watch their receipts grow until the black car arrives to take the eldest teen away.
A quick and fun read. More...
Mar 06, 2011
Maryam
rated it:
Also reviewed on the blog:
http://gloriousbooks.blogspot.com/2011/0...
I loved the truth behind the story of this book.
The main character, Matt, and his family have to be careful in how much money they spend a month in case they go over their monthly limit of debt.
Nowadays, all lot of people, especially the younger generations, have the attitude of needing instant gratification. The attitude that if we want something, we get it straight away ins More...
http://gloriousbooks.blogspot.com/2011/0...
I loved the truth behind the story of this book.
The main character, Matt, and his family have to be careful in how much money they spend a month in case they go over their monthly limit of debt.
Nowadays, all lot of people, especially the younger generations, have the attitude of needing instant gratification. The attitude that if we want something, we get it straight away ins More...
