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470th out of 1,176 books
—
6,250 voters
Unlocked
Andy is the janitor's son, an outcast, a nobody. Then the rumor starts-that Blake has a gun in his locker. In a moment of misguided hopefulness, Andy steals the keys from his dad and opens up Blake's locker, hoping that finding the gun will change his own status. But the gun isn't there and Andy remains an outcast. When an unlikely friendship develops between the two loner...more
Hardcover, 176 pages
Published
March 1st 2011
by Walker Childrens
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Mar 07, 2013
Justin Miller
added it
The authors purpose of this book would be to entertain. It could also be a persuaded book to. This reason is because the author is trying to persuade people not to bring weapons to school and to watch out for other people that bring weapons to school. you will never know, well the book is about this kid named blake that has a gun. At first everyone thought it was a rumor, but turns out blake actually had a gun. The style of this book would be that it was told in like a teenager in high schools p...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This book was a good, quick read.
We are introduced to the world of Andy, a fourteen year old kid, who is ignored, bullied, and basically, your average nerd.
When he hears rumours that somebody in school may have a gun in their locker, his mind goes into overdrive. He quickly fights a battle with himself, stuck in between stealing his father's master keys (his father is a janitor) and checking this out for himself, in order to get the girl he desperately wants, or keep quiet, and stay below the r...more
We are introduced to the world of Andy, a fourteen year old kid, who is ignored, bullied, and basically, your average nerd.
When he hears rumours that somebody in school may have a gun in their locker, his mind goes into overdrive. He quickly fights a battle with himself, stuck in between stealing his father's master keys (his father is a janitor) and checking this out for himself, in order to get the girl he desperately wants, or keep quiet, and stay below the r...more
4/5
As most verse novels are, Unlocked read really quickly. While perhaps a lot of potential emotional impact could have been extended had it been written in prose, Cleave made the right choice telling this story in verse, mainly because of the issues it presents.
High school brings much of the crap that junior high did: the cliques, the bullies, the rumours. Especially for losers, like the janitor's son, like Andy. Then, a rumour provides a rare opportuntiy for popularity: apparently, fellow outc...more
As most verse novels are, Unlocked read really quickly. While perhaps a lot of potential emotional impact could have been extended had it been written in prose, Cleave made the right choice telling this story in verse, mainly because of the issues it presents.
High school brings much of the crap that junior high did: the cliques, the bullies, the rumours. Especially for losers, like the janitor's son, like Andy. Then, a rumour provides a rare opportuntiy for popularity: apparently, fellow outc...more
I checked this book out on a whim, not really knowing much about it. I certainly did not expect a verse novel about a school shooter!
Andy's father is the school janitor. The kids call his father Mr. Clean, and call Andy "CJ" - Clean Junior. Since he started high school he's been alone, along with a handful of other "losers," including Blake, the jock Aaron's punching bag. Blake's father died in Iraq and there's a rumor that Blake is hiding a gun in his locker. Andy, trying to impress a popular g...more
Andy's father is the school janitor. The kids call his father Mr. Clean, and call Andy "CJ" - Clean Junior. Since he started high school he's been alone, along with a handful of other "losers," including Blake, the jock Aaron's punching bag. Blake's father died in Iraq and there's a rumor that Blake is hiding a gun in his locker. Andy, trying to impress a popular g...more
Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave is a simple story in simple verse which makes for quite a contrast considering its subject matter. The big question? What would you do if you knew your friend had a gun at school?
Van Cleave tackles this mountainous problem in such a straight-forward manner it's eerie. The author showed an amazing ability to cut through the confusion of cliques and desires and bullying, to hold so straight the line of friendship and trust and innocence, that one might truly believe...more
Van Cleave tackles this mountainous problem in such a straight-forward manner it's eerie. The author showed an amazing ability to cut through the confusion of cliques and desires and bullying, to hold so straight the line of friendship and trust and innocence, that one might truly believe...more
Reading Level: Grades 7+
When you're the janitor's kid, you don't have many friends. You don't have any friends. Andy is no different, but when he hears a rumor that the school outcast, Blake, has a gun in his locker, he decides to make friends with Blake. When the boys do become friends, Andy must choose between protecting his only friend and protecting a school full of kids who could care less about him?
READ-ALIKES
Just Another Hero by Sharon Draper
Shooter by Walter Dean Myers
Jumped by Rita Wil...more
When you're the janitor's kid, you don't have many friends. You don't have any friends. Andy is no different, but when he hears a rumor that the school outcast, Blake, has a gun in his locker, he decides to make friends with Blake. When the boys do become friends, Andy must choose between protecting his only friend and protecting a school full of kids who could care less about him?
READ-ALIKES
Just Another Hero by Sharon Draper
Shooter by Walter Dean Myers
Jumped by Rita Wil...more
I was at my cousin's library and took a whiff with this book.
**stars
Horrible, my first book in poems but still a story. The sentences were plain, boring and very soon lost interest in this book. I'm sorry-I loves the story line and where I thought it was heading, but it had too short of chapters and everything was moving to fast for me. If this book was written like How To Save A Life by Sara Zarr, I would have adored this book. But, it wasn't. Mainly no description. Maybe there is something tha...more
**stars
Horrible, my first book in poems but still a story. The sentences were plain, boring and very soon lost interest in this book. I'm sorry-I loves the story line and where I thought it was heading, but it had too short of chapters and everything was moving to fast for me. If this book was written like How To Save A Life by Sara Zarr, I would have adored this book. But, it wasn't. Mainly no description. Maybe there is something tha...more
{Sited from my website TeenageBookaholic }
Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave is the story of the Janitor's son, Andy, in High School for his first year. Andy is picked on a lot for being "Mr. Clean's" son. He's an outcast, a no one. Until another No One joins the crowd. Blake goes to the same school and was the popular kid in Middle School. Now, he's out and everyone avoids him- especially with the rumor that he's got a gun. Andy wants to find out if it's true so he looks, after swiping his dad's ke...more
Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave is the story of the Janitor's son, Andy, in High School for his first year. Andy is picked on a lot for being "Mr. Clean's" son. He's an outcast, a no one. Until another No One joins the crowd. Blake goes to the same school and was the popular kid in Middle School. Now, he's out and everyone avoids him- especially with the rumor that he's got a gun. Andy wants to find out if it's true so he looks, after swiping his dad's ke...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A short novel in verse which addresses the issue of gun violence at schools. Andy's a bit of a loner, teased because his father is the janitor at his high school. Blake's another guy with few friends; his claim to fame is the whispered rumor that his locker contains a gun. He and Andy become friends, and Blake shows Andy how to shoot a gun. Andy likes shooting, but is worried that the act is becoming too important to him. He questions his motives in being friends with Blake, and wonders at what...more
With his father as the school’s janitor, no one is willing to talk to Andy, unless they are making fun of him. His days are filled with constant torment and desire for unobtainable things. Andy accepts his place in the high school food chain… until the rumors begin.
Andy finds himself in the path of the social outcast, Noah, by accident. But then the two become friends. Noah and Andy have a bond. A secret that no one else knows. Then the poison of doubt starts to creep in to Andy’s mind. What if...more
Andy finds himself in the path of the social outcast, Noah, by accident. But then the two become friends. Noah and Andy have a bond. A secret that no one else knows. Then the poison of doubt starts to creep in to Andy’s mind. What if...more
Andy: Janitor's son, loner, bullied, lonely
Blake: Father killed in Iraq, loner, bullied, lonely
A gun.
There are rumors that Blake has a gun in his locker at school, Andy wants to be the hero and find out, but things don't quite work out like he planned.
Blake & Andy start "hanging out" together....shooting cans in an abandoned field. They both enjoy it, but that date on Blake's calendar that he has blacked out gets closer & closer. He wouldn't bring the gun to school....or would he?? What...more
Blake: Father killed in Iraq, loner, bullied, lonely
A gun.
There are rumors that Blake has a gun in his locker at school, Andy wants to be the hero and find out, but things don't quite work out like he planned.
Blake & Andy start "hanging out" together....shooting cans in an abandoned field. They both enjoy it, but that date on Blake's calendar that he has blacked out gets closer & closer. He wouldn't bring the gun to school....or would he?? What...more
Andy's a freshman outcast, the son of the high school janitor. The closest thing he has to a friend is fellow outcast Blake, the kid rumored to have a gun in his locker. Andy has seen Blake’s gun too; they use it for target practice after school. But, that’s it, just target practice and messing around. Andy isn’t sure if the rumors are true. Blake doesn’t have something bigger planned, does he?
(Free-verse poetry, compelling enough page turner, too unresolved of an ending for my taste, but might...more
(Free-verse poetry, compelling enough page turner, too unresolved of an ending for my taste, but might...more
Not everyone likes books written in verse. I happen to enjoy them a lot. Verse can tell you more at times than normal script. It can hide another meaning in the pretty words.
And maybe, what I enjoy the most: young adult book written in verse all share something. You can sympathize with the characters more, at least that’s my opinion.
I sympathized with Andy in the book, but sometimes I felt like screaming:
“YOU ARE AN MORON!” *pull out hair*
And five seconds later:
“POOR ANDY!”
I have a problem, I...more
And maybe, what I enjoy the most: young adult book written in verse all share something. You can sympathize with the characters more, at least that’s my opinion.
I sympathized with Andy in the book, but sometimes I felt like screaming:
“YOU ARE AN MORON!” *pull out hair*
And five seconds later:
“POOR ANDY!”
I have a problem, I...more
I had mixed feelings on this one. I had to pick it up with a tagline like "If you heard a rumor, would you stop the shooter?" and the jacket flap of course.
It was a journey through one social outcasts life becoming friends with another outcast. In the beginning it wasn't to much really to like or dislike. I didn't care one way or another about the characters themselves. I think what kept me reading was wanting to know if something bad was going to happen. I mean what good can come from a suppose...more
It was a journey through one social outcasts life becoming friends with another outcast. In the beginning it wasn't to much really to like or dislike. I didn't care one way or another about the characters themselves. I think what kept me reading was wanting to know if something bad was going to happen. I mean what good can come from a suppose...more
This novel in verse is told from the point of view of Andy, a teen who is bullied and ostracized by his high school classmates. When Andy eventually befriends Blake, another outcast, he begins to feel better about himself and is able to cope with the bullying better. And then Blake brings a gun. What does Blake intend to do with the gun? Does Blake really intend to do anything with the gun? The suspense builds toward the end--I found myself reading faster and faster to find out what happens...
W...more
W...more
Everyone at school says Blake has a gun. He is a loner, his father died in Iraq, and people do everything they can to torment him.
Andy is the janitor's son, another loner, who starts hanging out with Blake.
Blake does have a gun. Andy and Blake go to empty fields and shoot pop bottles and it is fun. Andy actually has a friend.
However, should he tell someone that Blake has a gun?
Blake wouldn't do anything bad with the gun anyway, right?
Good book.....very short quick read.
Andy is the janitor's son, another loner, who starts hanging out with Blake.
Blake does have a gun. Andy and Blake go to empty fields and shoot pop bottles and it is fun. Andy actually has a friend.
However, should he tell someone that Blake has a gun?
Blake wouldn't do anything bad with the gun anyway, right?
Good book.....very short quick read.
This is a unique novel-in-verse, which may appeal to teenage boys. At school, Andy is known as the janitor's son, which doesn't lend much to his nonexistant reputation. He befriends Blake, another loner and is happy to have company at lunch and after school. Rumors start that Black is keeping a gun in his locker, and Andy's not sure what to believe. Are the rumors true? And if Blake is planning some sort of violence, should Andy keep the secret? Well written, quick read.
Novels written in verse have a strong appeal to me.This is another finalist for the 2012 IRA YA Fiction award. It takes on the topic of school violence but with the use of verse to tell the story there is a sparseness in the writing that also effectively captures the alienation and loneliness of the high school experience for many kids.Compared to the The End of the Line, it seems to ring much truer in telling the story of two friends and the dilemma one faces.
I've had to deal with my friends trying to do something drastic to get attention. I really liked the approach in this book to the plot development. It was a shorter book, but I really would recommend it to someone who just wants to read something quickly but still have an interest in the character's lives. I really liked the allusion to school shootings and the power every student has to hurt their classmates.
A sadly real novel in verse about gun violence in schools. Andy, the protagonist, has a great voice. You can't help at least kind of liking this kid. The reason this gets four stars is because is seriously so short I read it in an hour. A little more fleshing out would have better. An important book that explores the question, What if you were the only one who could stop something horrible?
I'm normally not a fan of verse novels, but Unlocked moved swiftly, gave some character development, and didn't seem too "poem-y."
What struck me most was the anger/hate/rage of the primary characters. I don't think a lengthier novel with more words would have worked. Those primal emotions are difficult to maintain.
What struck me most was the anger/hate/rage of the primary characters. I don't think a lengthier novel with more words would have worked. Those primal emotions are difficult to maintain.
This is one of those books that will make you think. It's a short book, but one that's packed with insight into bullying, school violence and social outcasts.
Unlocked introduces readers to Andy, the high school janitor's kid, who makes friends with another outcast, Blake. Written in verse, this story is one that allows readers to see the impact bullying has on other kids. It allowed me to sympathize with the way Andy and Blake were feeling. In the end it's a story that will test a friendship and...more
Unlocked introduces readers to Andy, the high school janitor's kid, who makes friends with another outcast, Blake. Written in verse, this story is one that allows readers to see the impact bullying has on other kids. It allowed me to sympathize with the way Andy and Blake were feeling. In the end it's a story that will test a friendship and...more
When you're the janitor's kid, you don't have many friends. You don't have any friends. Andy is no different, but when he hears a rumor that the school outcast, Blake, has a gun in his locker, he decides to make friends with Blake. When the boys do become friends, Andy must choose between protecting his only friend and protecting a school full of kids who could care less about him?
Read-alikes:
Just Another Hero by Sharon Draper
Shooter by Walter Dean Myers
Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia
Echo by Kate...more
Read-alikes:
Just Another Hero by Sharon Draper
Shooter by Walter Dean Myers
Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia
Echo by Kate...more
Novel in verse by a bullied kid's friend. The bullied kid is bringing a gun to school and it is both seductive and dangerous for the narrator who has plenty of issues of his own. He eventually does the right thing even while realizing that that doesn't always make you feel better. Not bad...nice and short.
The verse format of this book brings into scope some very true emotions and realities that teenagers face. Andy's personal journey throughout this book is realistic and deeply moving as you find yourself hoping that he will be able to help himself and his friend before everything comes to a head.
An interesting story, despite how short it felt reading it. I enjoyed the viewpoint, though I found the voice hard to connect to. I wanted to know more about Blake, just as the others did. I enjoyed the ending, though I do wonder what exactly happened afterwards. An excellent light read.
This book was written in verse. very quick read but was disappointing. The excitement, climax wasn't until the very last pages. And that was nothing. I thought it was supposed to be more about an actual school shooting but I was very mistaken.
This is a novel in verse about gun violence in a high school. It portrays the pain of social outcasts and he mind set that would make one think that it's okay to bring a gun to school. A very thought-provoking, quick read for teens.
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