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Blood on His Hands
While on the run from the cops, young Marc goes in search of his father for refuge, but after so many miles with only his dog Rat to keep him company, Marc decides to give up his crazy life and come to terms with what he has done in the hopes of starting his life anew.
- GenresYoung AdultTeen
188 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Willo Davis Roberts
122 books136 followersWillo Davis Roberts was an American writer chiefly known for her mystery novels for children and young adults. She won Edgar Allan Poe awards in 1989, 1995, and 1997 for best juvenile and best young adult mysteries. Her books included The View from the Cherry Tree, Twisted Summer, Don't Hurt Laurie, Megan's Island, Baby-sitting is a Dangerous Job, Hostage, The Girl with Silver Eyes, The One Left Behind and Scared Stiff.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 18, 2017
Blood On His Hands
By:Willo Davis Roberts
Marc's sister died two years ago due to leukemia. Marc is on the run from the cops. But why? He is hitchhiking to try and find his mom or dad so they can possibly help him get out of his situation. Will Marc get to his mom or dad’s safely and what will happen he gets there?
His sister named Mallory dies, which is devastating for him. Then he is running from the cops. He is trying to find some way to try and get to his mom or dad for help. He gets to his mom’s and finds out his dad does not want him. They are divorced. Then his mom is thinking about marrying some other guy that Marc hates. Marc also hates Floyd’s two daughters. He lives in Eureka, Illinois. This book could happen in real life because somebody's sister could die.And could also have his parents could also be divorced. Then they could be on the run from the cops and he could get shipped off to a bad camp.
The internal conflict is character v.s. nature because at the camp Marc gets so hot. He can't get any food or water which is making him overheated. That causes him to get dehydrated and hungry, and he starts to feel like he is going to pass out. In fact, one of his friends there at the camp passed out and was in a comma for a while that's how bad it was. Also, before all of this Marc was hitchhiking and in the book it said “ Rat ( Marc’s dog) was panting and barking at Marc for water.” Then Marc said, “ I know, I'm thirsty too Rat”.
The external conflict is character v.s. character because Marc and his mom got into a fight about the new step father and his potential annoying step sisters. Marc clearly did not like the dad or his daughters because the dad does not treat him very well, and he got angry when he saw the girls playing on his computer with all his private things on it. That is why he does not like them. Then his mom's boyfriend said well too bad because she is mine now.
I liked this realistic fiction book because it was action packed, intense, sad, and it made you want to keep on reading it. This book might not be for some people, but this is my type of book because it just makes you want to read it even more.
Somebody that would enjoy this book is somebody that likes a suspense, intense, and shocking book. For the age, I would probably say 11+ because it deals with death and cops and divorce. I don't know if other younger kids would be ready for the stuff that goes on in the book. The gender that would like this book is probably a boy. But I'm not saying a girl can't because it involves things that I think girls might not be very interested in. But there are girls that do like these types of books.
By:Willo Davis Roberts
Marc's sister died two years ago due to leukemia. Marc is on the run from the cops. But why? He is hitchhiking to try and find his mom or dad so they can possibly help him get out of his situation. Will Marc get to his mom or dad’s safely and what will happen he gets there?
His sister named Mallory dies, which is devastating for him. Then he is running from the cops. He is trying to find some way to try and get to his mom or dad for help. He gets to his mom’s and finds out his dad does not want him. They are divorced. Then his mom is thinking about marrying some other guy that Marc hates. Marc also hates Floyd’s two daughters. He lives in Eureka, Illinois. This book could happen in real life because somebody's sister could die.And could also have his parents could also be divorced. Then they could be on the run from the cops and he could get shipped off to a bad camp.
The internal conflict is character v.s. nature because at the camp Marc gets so hot. He can't get any food or water which is making him overheated. That causes him to get dehydrated and hungry, and he starts to feel like he is going to pass out. In fact, one of his friends there at the camp passed out and was in a comma for a while that's how bad it was. Also, before all of this Marc was hitchhiking and in the book it said “ Rat ( Marc’s dog) was panting and barking at Marc for water.” Then Marc said, “ I know, I'm thirsty too Rat”.
The external conflict is character v.s. character because Marc and his mom got into a fight about the new step father and his potential annoying step sisters. Marc clearly did not like the dad or his daughters because the dad does not treat him very well, and he got angry when he saw the girls playing on his computer with all his private things on it. That is why he does not like them. Then his mom's boyfriend said well too bad because she is mine now.
I liked this realistic fiction book because it was action packed, intense, sad, and it made you want to keep on reading it. This book might not be for some people, but this is my type of book because it just makes you want to read it even more.
Somebody that would enjoy this book is somebody that likes a suspense, intense, and shocking book. For the age, I would probably say 11+ because it deals with death and cops and divorce. I don't know if other younger kids would be ready for the stuff that goes on in the book. The gender that would like this book is probably a boy. But I'm not saying a girl can't because it involves things that I think girls might not be very interested in. But there are girls that do like these types of books.
March 3, 2015
This is a quick read about a boy whose life turns upside down when his younger sister dies. Marc's family falls apart, and he quickly gets into more and more trouble (much of it not intentionally) until he is sent away to a boot camp. The story starts with Marc on the run from this camp after he sees a fellow camper dead and he attacks one of the men in charge of the camp. Fearing he has killed the man, Marc makes a desperate attempt at making his way to his father. While escaping, Marc flashes back on the things that led to his incarceration at this camp.
I was intrigued by the story of how one terrible event could lead Marc down a road that he couldn't fully come back from. This made me think a lot about how frequently I think I know what is going on with someone and that a situation is black and white when really, there is much more than first meets the eye. I wish I found the boot camp to be more believable, and that I truly felt the emotions that were conveyed in words but didn't really resonate with how I was supposed to feel about the men at the camp and the other boys forced to be there. For example, the character Stoner was supposed to be a sadistic guy, but all the book really said about him was that he carried a whip and yelled at the boys.
Some of the content with what the boys in the camp talk about makes this a book that I will keep for my more mature readers.
I was intrigued by the story of how one terrible event could lead Marc down a road that he couldn't fully come back from. This made me think a lot about how frequently I think I know what is going on with someone and that a situation is black and white when really, there is much more than first meets the eye. I wish I found the boot camp to be more believable, and that I truly felt the emotions that were conveyed in words but didn't really resonate with how I was supposed to feel about the men at the camp and the other boys forced to be there. For example, the character Stoner was supposed to be a sadistic guy, but all the book really said about him was that he carried a whip and yelled at the boys.
Some of the content with what the boys in the camp talk about makes this a book that I will keep for my more mature readers.
January 14, 2015
Marc's family never recovers after his sister dies of leukemia. When his parents divorce and his dad leaves him with his deeply depressed mother, Marc's anger explodes in ways that would never have happened a year before. He suddenly loses touch with his father, and before he knows it, he's being sent to a disciplinary camp for at-risk teenagers.
On a mandatory work outing, two deaths occur. Of the three who went out that morning only Marc is left. Afraid he'll be blamed, he runs away. He's convinced that no one will believe what happened except his dad who is somewhere in Washington, two states away. Without food, water or money, Marc heads up the highway towards Seattle, dodging the highway patrol and hoping no one else will recognize him and turn him in. While he runs, he turns the past two years over in his mind, unsure of how his loving family fell apart, and wondering how he managed to end up in a life threatening predicament.
Blood on His Hands is a great read. Roberts smoothly engages the reader in a simple but fast paced plot. When she died in November, 2004, she left a dynamic legacy of suspenseful mysteries for fans of all ages.
On a mandatory work outing, two deaths occur. Of the three who went out that morning only Marc is left. Afraid he'll be blamed, he runs away. He's convinced that no one will believe what happened except his dad who is somewhere in Washington, two states away. Without food, water or money, Marc heads up the highway towards Seattle, dodging the highway patrol and hoping no one else will recognize him and turn him in. While he runs, he turns the past two years over in his mind, unsure of how his loving family fell apart, and wondering how he managed to end up in a life threatening predicament.
Blood on His Hands is a great read. Roberts smoothly engages the reader in a simple but fast paced plot. When she died in November, 2004, she left a dynamic legacy of suspenseful mysteries for fans of all ages.
April 2, 2011
Marc Solie has run away from a wilderness camp with only his dog Rat. Marc isn't a bad kid, but after his young sister died of cancer, his family fell apart. Marc is frustrated that his dad left and now his mom is seeing Frank, who doesn't like him. Marc didn't mind the camp until a guard killed another boy. Marc defended himself, beat up the guard, and ran for it. Now his dad in Seattle is the only hope he has.
May 14, 2012
A story of a broken hearted boy , in his journey to try to survive life on lifes terms ...
this book is but not limited to being:
sad , heartfelt , thrilling ...
the story is a fast paced read , i read it in under 3 hours ... its a good book , good story .
I liked the author a lot and plan to read more of her books.
this book is but not limited to being:
sad , heartfelt , thrilling ...
the story is a fast paced read , i read it in under 3 hours ... its a good book , good story .
I liked the author a lot and plan to read more of her books.
February 16, 2011
I thought that this was an excellent book! The title makes it seem kind of dark and strange, but actually, it's extremely sad, at some parts it is kind of dark and strange, but I still really liked it.
February 11, 2008
A boot camp book that just doesn't cut it. For grit, Todd Strasser's Boot Camp is much better. For laughs, you can't beat Holes. Skip this one.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews