Beckoners

December 1, 2004
Gr 9 Up-In this stark, atmospheric novel, Zoe's almost-normal life deteriorates rapidly when her mother moves the family to a new town where the school is run by a ruthless gang. Even before the 15-year-old is brutally initiated into the Beckoners, she has serious doubts about her ability to survive. But the situation only gets worse as she struggles with her conscience over the Beckoners' obsessively cruel attacks on the school loser. Zoe risks further alienation as she treads a minefield of deceit, honor, disgust, and self-protection. The adults in her world are so ineffectual, deluded, or disengaged that there is little hope of breaking the gang's tyrannical hold on the community. Mac's novel compellingly portrays the herd mentality that every uncool teen dreads. The pacing is gripping and relentless-readers can expect violence, sex, rough language, and out-of-control behavior. The devastating (yet almost predictable) climax scarcely provides the relief and redemption needed to clear the mind of the horror and tragedy at the hands of such severely disturbed young people.-Roxanne Myers Spencer, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2004
Gr. 8-12. Bullying among girls is at the heart of this novel, and the vicious, violent harassment will stay with readers. Zoe, the story's 15-year-old narrator, agrees to be initiated into the Beckoners because she is terrified of them. Adults are no help: Zoe's mom is busy with her own problems, and a teacher sees but doesn't ask. To her shame, Zoe does nothing to help the bullies' victim, April ("Dog"), who is tormented to the point of collapse. Even when Zoe witnesses rape, she keeps quiet. The ending, when the bullies are finally brought to justice, seems patched on, but the true climax of the book comes when Zoe, who changes slowly as the story moves forward, finally takes a stand. Mac draws her characters with rare complexity. April may be a victim, but at times she's a real pain: she's homophobic, and she insults Zoe's gay friend, Simon, who tries to help her. Use this with Margaret Atwood's adult book " Cat's Eye "(1989) and YA stories of school torment.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)