Brutal

Brutal introduces us to Poe Holly who is being uprooted from her current life and literally shipped to a life of suburbia with a father she hardly knows and, from all extent and purposes lives in a completely different universe. However, Poe grudgingly tries to make the best of it and even starts making some friends, including a somewhat love/hate relationship with a next door neighboor who seems to be more of a doormat than anything else. However, when a prank goes deadly, Poe interferes to try to make things right. What I liked most about this book is the honest look at the results of a dysfunctional home - I mean, I felt for Poe - with a mother who puts her needs and desires before her daughter's. Poe's dad is a tad better, but he is so partly clueless.... I like that the aduls are not perfect and I like the fact that Poe, although clearly out of her element, is willing to "try" to make it work. The story is one of friendship and redemption - up to a point. Poe has an interesting relationshig with Velveeta and finds herself feeling for this person and from there comes most of the basic storyline and the most interesting of the relationships. I think the strongest part of this book is the relationships - most, if not all, are seriously dysfunctinal, but yet, I found myself involved and committed in their lives. The writing is honest and down to earth and I did enjoy this book.

When sixteen-year-old Poe Holly's doctor mother decides to take her practice to the jungles of South America for a year, Poe finds herself living with the father she has never really known. She was a baby the last time her parents were in the same room together, and now she's moving into his house. Since her mother is usually busy 24/7, Poe is used to living on her own. It's a welcome relief to find out her father is willing to allow her a fair amount of freedom, but his neat and tidy house soon becomes her home, and she is surprised how much she enjoys it. The shared meals and conversation aren't nearly as dreadful as she anticipated. The major weird thing about the arrangement is that when Poe starts school at the local high school, she's not sure how to handle the fact that David Holly, her newly inherited dad, is the school counselor. Life in Benders Hollow is way different than the punk rocker life Poe is used to. Music is her life, and leaving her band was one of the hardest things she had to do. When her father suggests she could join the school choir and maybe even be one of their soloists, she rejects the idea as too lame to even consider. But after some contemplation, Poe stops in to visit the music teacher. After hearing Poe's incredible voice, Mrs. Baird promises her a spot as the principal soloist. The result of that offer is one of Poe's first experiences with just exactly how the town of Benders Hollow works. Poe soon learns that at Benders Hollow High School a select few have all the power. Although the school brags about its tolerance and its dedication to keeping its halls bully-free, Poe soon learns that the select few can do and say anything they want - and those in authority will look the other way. Her father's odd neighbor, Velveeta, is a target for the rampant cruelty of Benders Hollow, and he provides just the reason Poe needs to stir things up a bit at her new school. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Michael Harmon, BRUTAL is a book you won't want to miss. His previous books, SKATE and THE LAST EXIT TO NORMAL, are excellent, but BRUTAL takes the prize in my opinion. Poe is an independent thinker, and the way she champions the underdog should be an example to us all. She is a terrific combination of the two people who have parented her in such different ways. Our world would be a better place if more of us reacted to injustice like Poe did. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"