Sometimes there's no easy way out.
Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing hi...
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Jan 25, 2012
Karen
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Bull has a terrible home life. His mother got pregnant in a chance encounter, and his grandfather feels Bull’s birth killed his grandmother and ruined his own life. Both his mother and grandfather are sloppy, abusive drunks who don’t take care of Bull at all. The house is a filthy mess, and the inadequate food is often fouled with mouse turds. Bull takes out his frustration on children at school, including Victor. While Victor lives in a nice house with wealthy parents, his parents wish he was n
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Jan 21, 2012
Maggie61
rated it: 
Loved this author's writing style as well as story line.
We have one boy being bullied by the same kid most of his school life. He is an outcast with no friends. He is invisible to his parents who remind him he was an accident and generally ignore his whole existence except when he may do something to inconvenience their lives. After his dog who was the only one that valued him passes away he is devestated and swallows a bottle of pills.
Then there is the second boy. The bully. And as More...
We have one boy being bullied by the same kid most of his school life. He is an outcast with no friends. He is invisible to his parents who remind him he was an accident and generally ignore his whole existence except when he may do something to inconvenience their lives. After his dog who was the only one that valued him passes away he is devestated and swallows a bottle of pills.
Then there is the second boy. The bully. And as More...
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Jan 18, 2012
Darla
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Victor is the victim of a bully. His parents don't care about him, they have unrealistically high expectations of him (which he will never meet), and it seems like the only one who cares about him is Jazzer - the teacup poodle.
Bull is a bully with a bad home life. His pops beats him, his mother watches as it happens, and they both put drinking before him. They could care less about him or if there is food in the fridge.
I felt for both of these characters. Both abused in dif More...
Bull is a bully with a bad home life. His pops beats him, his mother watches as it happens, and they both put drinking before him. They could care less about him or if there is food in the fridge.
I felt for both of these characters. Both abused in dif More...
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Jan 13, 2012
Cara
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I like this book, I really do. That said, I nearly put the book down in the first 30 pages. The main characters are a stereotypical bully and victim, almost painfully so. I started to wonder if I was reading a young adult novel or a 300-page narrative pamphlet on bullying. With a victim named Victor and a bully named Bull, it seemed a near thing.
But it gets better. The story starts out a little slow but you don’t really notice it. The author switches between the two main characters eve More...
But it gets better. The story starts out a little slow but you don’t really notice it. The author switches between the two main characters eve More...
Jan 09, 2012
Gina
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Beautifully written story that details the lives of two boys - the bully and the bullied - and the longing for unconditional love and acceptance that lands them in the same psych ward. The dual 1st person POV gives the reader a unique opportunity at insight into both of these characters, and I found myself identifying and empathizing with each of them in very different ways.
This novel highlights the need for a deeper understanding of every person's motivations and circumstances befo More...
This novel highlights the need for a deeper understanding of every person's motivations and circumstances befo More...
Feb 01, 2012
Vasiliki
rated it:
I LOVED this book. Absolutely loved it! It dealt with suicide and troubled teens, messed up families and pain. It did touch me on a personal level, it did make me cry but it also made me smile and feel hopeful for these two boys.
I liked how in the end Walton shows us what has happened and what has changed for Victor and William 4 months after their incidents. It is clear that the psych ward in which they had to spend 5 days proved to be a life-changing experience for them.
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I liked how in the end Walton shows us what has happened and what has changed for Victor and William 4 months after their incidents. It is clear that the psych ward in which they had to spend 5 days proved to be a life-changing experience for them.
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Feb 14, 2012
Brad
rated it:
"K. M. Walton's debut novel tugged at my heartstrings with this tale of two boys who have been drastically affected in their lifetime. Cracked is absolutely brilliant!"
When I first heard of this novel, I honestly didn't know what to expect. So when I ordered it on Amazon and started it, my breath was taken away at how beautiful and great the book was!
This book was incredible.
First, the writing style. I loved K. M. Walton's voice in these two boys. I felt f More...
When I first heard of this novel, I honestly didn't know what to expect. So when I ordered it on Amazon and started it, my breath was taken away at how beautiful and great the book was!
This book was incredible.
First, the writing style. I loved K. M. Walton's voice in these two boys. I felt f More...
Feb 20, 2012
Shari
rated it:
This is one of those books for which I am always on the look out. It is straight forward and the writing is clear. There is not a lot of subtly which makes it a book that many teens, especially reluctant readers, will enjoy. The message is simple and profound: we can never know another without knowing one's story. And when we know each others' stories, we can gain empathy. The characters in CRACKED are somewhat one-sided: the nerdy kid whose parents emotionally and verbally abuse him and
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Feb 02, 2012
Inkbitten
rated it:
Judged By cover: There it is!
Okay, so this cover is pretty simple, there are two pills in a cup with a blank back round. The thing about simple covers, they always seem to catch my eye before the extravagant, shiny, holographic ones. The simplicity also helped me to easily locate it in the bookstore, because I went there with it on my list of "Must Buy". The cover over all doesn't disappoint and is easily found in the bookstore of dark holographic book covers. I really like More...
Okay, so this cover is pretty simple, there are two pills in a cup with a blank back round. The thing about simple covers, they always seem to catch my eye before the extravagant, shiny, holographic ones. The simplicity also helped me to easily locate it in the bookstore, because I went there with it on my list of "Must Buy". The cover over all doesn't disappoint and is easily found in the bookstore of dark holographic book covers. I really like More...
Feb 17, 2012
The bully and the bullied - both boys come from unhappy homes. One is rich and one is poor. One has wealth but cruel and demanding parents. The other lives with his mother and abusive violent grandfather. The mother and the grandfather are alcoholics. Most days there is not enough food in the house - but there is always beer. Bull takes his pain out on Victor. He has tormented him since they were in elementary school. Now in high school the bullying is on a whole new level of cruel. Bull gets su
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Jan 26, 2012
Davytron
rated it:
I loved this book. It was short and sweet, yet managed to be realistic; it was a teen novel but it skillfully addressed some very serious and relevant topics that I haven't really come across in teen. It made me sad to think that these situations actually exist.
I've decided that this book is about a 3.5 but I rounded up because of the unique aspects of this book (such as the focus on psychological issues). There are definitely some cliched aspects but I still really enjoyed the book be More...
I've decided that this book is about a 3.5 but I rounded up because of the unique aspects of this book (such as the focus on psychological issues). There are definitely some cliched aspects but I still really enjoyed the book be More...
Feb 02, 2012
Sarah
rated it:
3.5
Meet Victor: He's constantly bullied or beat up at school, belittled or ignored at home by his rich, perfection-obsessed parents, and his only friend is a teacup poodle named Jazzer.
And then there's Bull: He lives in a crappy apartment on the poor side of town with his neglectful, alcoholic mother and his abusive, alcoholic grandfather, and takes out his anger on the weaker kids at school -- especially Victor.
After a suicide attempt and an "accident" More...
Meet Victor: He's constantly bullied or beat up at school, belittled or ignored at home by his rich, perfection-obsessed parents, and his only friend is a teacup poodle named Jazzer.
And then there's Bull: He lives in a crappy apartment on the poor side of town with his neglectful, alcoholic mother and his abusive, alcoholic grandfather, and takes out his anger on the weaker kids at school -- especially Victor.
After a suicide attempt and an "accident" More...
Feb 20, 2012
Paige
rated it: 
I am something of a contemporary nerd. A total contemporary nerd. There, I said it, I have outed myself -- contemporary YA is my favorite genre and I love contemp books. So I had wanted to read Cracked for a long time, since the cover and synopsis were released.
My issues with the book were larger than I'd hoped they would be but I still enjoyed the novel.
Bull and Victor hate each other. This is not some kind of low hate, like hating pepperoni or sausage on your pizza o More...
My issues with the book were larger than I'd hoped they would be but I still enjoyed the novel.
Bull and Victor hate each other. This is not some kind of low hate, like hating pepperoni or sausage on your pizza o More...
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Jan 13, 2012
Kristen
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Reading about the lives of Victor and Bull was just absolutely heartbreaking but once I started reading it, I could not put it down even for a second.
There was nothing I didn't like about this book. I honestly don't think I could say a single bad thing. It is a beautifully written story told from the point of view of two males, Victor and Bull who have two completely different lives but are ultimately longing for the same thing: someone who actually cares about them.
At firs More...
There was nothing I didn't like about this book. I honestly don't think I could say a single bad thing. It is a beautifully written story told from the point of view of two males, Victor and Bull who have two completely different lives but are ultimately longing for the same thing: someone who actually cares about them.
At firs More...
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Jan 06, 2012
Jen
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This is a book about bullying, family, friends, and the importance of feeling like there's someone that loves you enough to care about you, protect you, and give you what you need. Both Bull and Victor are looking for that someone, but they have VERY different lives. Victor is the quiet, hide in a corner to be invisible guy. Bull is the bully, always causing trouble with fights and humiliating Victor.
The most amazing thing with this book to me was that I didn't connect with the char More...
The most amazing thing with this book to me was that I didn't connect with the char More...
Nov 26, 2011
When I was in NYC earlier this month, my eyes spied the gorgeous cover of K.M. Walton's debut novel, CRACKED. I coveted it immediately, and my editor was kind enough to slip me a copy. This book will be out January 3, 2012. Full disclosure: K.M. Walton is a fellow Apocalypsie and we share an editor. Read below to see what I thought.
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CRACKED is about two guys who are polar opposites, one with less than nothing and one who seemingly has everything. Okay, I know what you More...
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CRACKED is about two guys who are polar opposites, one with less than nothing and one who seemingly has everything. Okay, I know what you More...
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Jan 13, 2012
Eve
rated it:
I'll be honest. I'm not usually drawn to books about bullying--there's always this fear that it's going to end up reading like a teleplay for an after-school special. But Kate Walton is a friend and fellow Apocalypsie, and I was anxious to get her take on bullying. Well, I am happy to say that this wasn't one of those "issues" books, not at all. In fact, as soon as I read the first two chapters, alternating between Victor and Bull's points of view, I fell for these two lovable misfits.
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Jan 29, 2012
Medeia
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Victor’s parents either ignore or belittle him, and at school he’s bullied in the worst way by Bull. His caring grandmother is far away. He has no one. When circumstances become unbearable for him, he takes a bottle of his mother’s pills and wakes up in a hospital.
Bull, his tormentor, is cruel for a reason. He has his own bruises, being beaten by his grandfather, with a drunken mother who does nothing to support him. When he finds a gun he decides to defend himself. But instead of sh More...
Bull, his tormentor, is cruel for a reason. He has his own bruises, being beaten by his grandfather, with a drunken mother who does nothing to support him. When he finds a gun he decides to defend himself. But instead of sh More...
Dec 31, 2011
Ayelet
rated it:
I don't think I would have picked up this book on my own, but once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.
It was heartbreaking to read about Victor and Bull's homes and parents. You could feel their pain and loneliness and just wanted to tell them it would be ok. Their lives were incredibly parallel and often mirror images of each other.
I found Bull to be more sympathetic and I was seriously rooting for him.
The names of the characters were incredibly symbolic, notably Pau More...
It was heartbreaking to read about Victor and Bull's homes and parents. You could feel their pain and loneliness and just wanted to tell them it would be ok. Their lives were incredibly parallel and often mirror images of each other.
I found Bull to be more sympathetic and I was seriously rooting for him.
The names of the characters were incredibly symbolic, notably Pau More...
Aug 02, 2011
Christine
rated it:
So this is a 4 1/2 star book. They don't have that option on this scale. I really enjoyed this book. Loved it. The voice is fantastic. Written in first person present tense from two male POVs, I found myself not wanting to put this down. I was quite honored and lucky to get a sneak peek of this. It will be coming out in January so I will have more of a detailed review on my blog in December.
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Jan 25, 2012
Chanda
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I LOVED this book!!
Cracked is told by 2 guys POV's. The author is female, but you would never know while reading this book, because it sounds exactly like how guys talk and think. I really loved both the characters Bull and Victor. Bull is the bully and Victor is the one who he bullies. After Victor attempts suicide and Bull ends up shooting himself by accident, they both end up sharing a room at a mental hospital. And I have to say this is not a comedy book, but I laughed out loud while More...
Cracked is told by 2 guys POV's. The author is female, but you would never know while reading this book, because it sounds exactly like how guys talk and think. I really loved both the characters Bull and Victor. Bull is the bully and Victor is the one who he bullies. After Victor attempts suicide and Bull ends up shooting himself by accident, they both end up sharing a room at a mental hospital. And I have to say this is not a comedy book, but I laughed out loud while More...
Nov 06, 2011
Lenore
rated it:
I cannot rave enough about this novel. I was so completely emotionally invested in these characters that I cried at least four times - and I hardly ever am moved to tears by books (maybe only around 10 in the whole history of my reading life post childhood).
More to come ...
More to come ...
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Jan 24, 2012
Melissa
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Definitely proposing this author for the Less Than Three conference! Quite riveting. End feels very rushed (and it all wraps up a bit too neatly) but the book is so well done that I can forgive that. Characters are fantastic.
Feb 20, 2012
Stevie
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A vivid reminder that mean kids, sad kids, and closed-off kids are usually not what they appear to be. This is one of those books that, in years to come, will remind me why I wanted to become a teacher.
Jan 28, 2012
Julie
rated it:
Good story of bullies and teen suicide. Interesting characters, with realistic interactions. Teen group therapy and crazy families. All about finding a place in this world and value in oneself.
Jan 24, 2012
Author Interview & Swag Giveaway (tote bag, mouse pad, magnet, bookmark):
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com... ends 2/21/12
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com... ends 2/21/12
Jun 15, 2011
Can't wait to tune in for Kate's first novel! She's worked so hard, and I couldn't be happier for this debut author! (Plus, hellooo, gorgeous cover.)
Feb 04, 2012
Kyla
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This book was so emotional and raw. It is so real and everyone can relate to someone in this book. I love how connected I was.
Feb 11, 2012
Alicia
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It took a few chapters to get me into this book. Once I did, it got better and better. I like books like this where the author goes back and forth between characters. I like how she would show what each one was thinking about the other when the same things were happening to them but in different ways. I was happy that the author ended with each of them having over come some horrible things in their lives, illustrating how even terrible struggles can end in a sort of triumph.
Feb 11, 2012
A Full Bookshelf
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Wow. Wow. Wow. Powerful and such a unique way to write the story.
