Center Line

by Joyce Sweeney

Book Overview

Five teen-aged brothers run away from their alcoholic father in Ohio to search for a new way to live. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385293208
• ISBN13: 9780385293204
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 246 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Center Line is Amazing

I've read almost every one of Joyce Sweeney's book and I love them all, but this one is my very favorite. You will never predict what happens in this story and with the characters. The stereotyping is minor and seems to have been done purposefully, and it works perfectly with the story. The characters are flawed to different extents and are realistic and true to life. The plot is incredible; it will keep you guessing the entire time. You will think you know the characters and what you can expect from them, but they'll turn around and surprise you. It's amazing. You HAVE to read this book. I read it three times the day I got it. You won't regret it.

Touching story

I first came across this book when I was 13 years old. That was 17 years ago and I have never forgotten this touching story. While the characters are stereotyped and the story somewhat unrealistic, the book remains wonderful. The adventures these five brothers would keep most young readers entertained, but it is the intricit relationships which exist between the boys that make this book unforgettable. The end is bittersweet as physical abuse and drug/alcohol abuse are central to the story.I would highly recommend the book for readers who are no younger than 13.

The Story Of Five Brothers On The Road To Salvation.

What would you do if your father was a drunken animal who beat up your younger brothers on a daily basis? Would you just let it happen? Stand up to him? Give him a taste of his own medicene? Or get them out of there? Eighteen year old Shawn Cunningham has to make that decision - and opts for the latter. Packing up his four younger brothers they set out for the open road and follow the centre line to wherever it takes them. Joyce Sweeney has written a beautiful story of love, trust and brotherhood. She has used sterotypes for her characters (Shawn the leader; Steven the sensitive artist; Chris the motherly one; Rick the anti-social dopehead and Mark the sporty and immature) but they work so well through her narration. And Miguel, the hispanic bellhop is so hillarious that he'll make you laugh out loud. I throughly enjoyed reading this book (and have done over and over again) and it takes pride of place among my collection. I recommend it to everyone!

Great content and plot.

When I started working in the library during my free period my freshman year, I read almost a book a day. When I finished most of the paperbacks, I saw Center Line, which I usually passed over because it just didn't look interesting. I read it and proved the saying Dont judge a book by its cover to be right. I loved it so much, I read it at least two more times before we had to pack up every book to get ready for remodeling. The book is a touching story that keeps your interest the whole way through. It inspired me to write two stories. I have been looking for a copy of it for over a year now. Center Line really makes you feel for the boys in it. I highly reccomend it to anyone.