Breaking Boxes

by A.M. Jenkins

Book Overview

Charlie Calmont is a teenage loner. His parents are gone and except for his older brother, Trent, he doesn't need anyone, especially friends. But when Charlie ends up suspended after a school fight,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385325134
• ISBN13: 9780385325134
• Release Date: September 1997
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 182 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

Breaking Boxes - Breaking the Barries in Teenage Readings.

Breaking Boxes clearly brakes the traditional barrier in teenage readings. It effectively deals with contemporary issues incl. alcoholism, domestic violence and homosexuality that are often avoided or dealt relunctantly in young adult literature. AM Jenkins's potrayal of the characters are all thorough and emotionally touching. It's an excellent reading for both young adults and adults alike.Personally I would include Breaking Boxes as one of my old-time favorites.

Good story from male point of view

So many of the teen stories of today are from the female's point of view and it is nice to see one from the male point. I liked this story because I thought it was typical of the way that the "popular" kids treat others who might not be as fortunate as they are. I liked the book and would recommend it to anyone.

great book for teenagers!!!!!!!!!!

I really loved this book a lot. The reason I liked it so much is I could relate to the characters because a similar thing that happened to Charlie Calmont, happened to me. I think this book is very realistic, and while it displays the everyday issues teens have to deal with, it also shows how two different people (or so it seems) could have so much in common and end up being friends. I also really liked the ending.

Uncompromising in its realistic portrayal

Progress doesn't always come in enormous leaps and bounds, and it comes harder for some than others. By the conclusion of 'Breaking Boxes,' protagonist Charlie Calmont has made progress- in some small, cautious but positive steps. The novel may strike some people as bleak because it doesn't compromise in portraying the world of its characters in honest terms. Young adult readers could use more, not fewer, works of the quality of 'Breaking Boxes.' If you want a fun, moving, candid novel about the struggles of being open and trusting both to oneself and others, 'Breaking Boxes' is right for you. If you want empty moralizing, look elsewhere.

Clearly a good book!

This book, by A.M Jenkins, could have an incredible affect on your heart. The plot, while it is somewhat predictable, has interesting twists and turns. This book is very realistic about what happens in it.. The main character is sixteen year old Charlie Calmont. His parents are gone, his father left the family and his mother drank herself to death. He lives in a poor neighboorhood with his down to earth brother, Trent. Everything's fine in Charlie's world until some rich boys at school make fun of him and he lashes out at them. Only one of the boys who harassed him is punished, Brandon Chase, the class leader. Brandon and Charlie get to know each other while they are punished at school. Then Brandon offers him a ride home in his Corvette. Their friendship comes quickly after that. Brandon tells Charlie that he is a real person in a world of fakes, and Charlie feels that Brandon is not who he seems to be, and that Brandon is trapped in a bad nightmare. Eventually, Charlie feels close enough to Brandon to reveal his biggest secret about Trent to him. Brandon has a bad reaction and the whole school knows about Charlie's secret. With this Charlie tells himself he will never let someone get close to him ever again. One last fight brings the boys back together again, and helps Charlie to admit that he really does care about things. Charlie's story is in a voice that most teens can understand. Yet, Charlie is someone to care for. This novel tells with clarity the risk of opening up to others.