A Fast and Brutal Wing

by Kathleen Jeffrie Johnson

Book Overview

"She leapt, a perfect arc, lithe muscles propelling her through the air, leaving what was human behind, clothes fallen to the ground. She was cat, claws unsheathed, teeth bared. Loving the hunt, the chase, the pounce and the strike, her teeth sinking into flesh, blood spurting in her mouth." "Animal justice: ruthless and swift. And totally satisfying." A provocative, richly layered, and utterly compelling novel that asks the answerable: what is truth,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1596430133
• ISBN13: 9781596430136
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

Complex and fantastic

Although not technically a "difficult" read, this book is wonderfully challenging in that the multiple narrative perspectives offer different versions of the chilling events that happened to three teens one Halloween night. Johnson constructs the plot masterfully, and reveals information at a pace that keeps you reading and maintains the tension. I can't quite understand how the librarian who reviewed this book would be confused by it. It's not your standard, linear narrative, true; but Johnson makes it very clear what each of the narrators' perspectives on the events is. The only confusion is which one of them you want to believe -- a choice left up to the reader. A great, great book for upper level teens.

A fast-paced story highly recommended as a leisure read for high school teens.

A brother and sister are bonded not just by the usual sibling relationship but by the fact they can change from human to animal and back... or is it a lie? A broken family, a series of bizarre encounters, and seemingly supernatural abilities lend a swift and unique action to a fast-paced story highly recommended as a leisure read for high school teens.

A must read!

Niki and Emmet have a secret that not another soul knows about besides them, so they think! Their secret is they are able to transform into animals. But something totally goes wrong when a school assignment asks to do "The Father Project", and more is exposed than what is wanted. This is a great mystery story that shows a longing to be free and have no worries or cares. This is a must read for all teens ages 14 or higher.