Handcuffs

by Bethany Griffin

Book Overview

PARKER PRESCOTT IS an ice princess. Cold, aloof, a snob. At least, that's what everyone says on Marion Hennessey's blog. And everyone reads Marion Hennessey's blog. Parker Prescott is a middle child.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385735502
• ISBN13: 9780385735506
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 307 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

Awesome, realistic, riveting read.

It was great to read a book with realistic teenagers with realistic feelings. Parker struck a cord with me and even though I'm not a teen, nor have I been in handcuffs, I could identify with her emotions. An awesome book by a terrifically talented writer.

Brilliant, thought-provoking read

Handcuffs is a thoroughly entertaining read for teens and adults alike. It has enough spice to entice and enough substance to enthrall. A fantastic debut from a promising author--I certainly hope to see more from Bethany Griffin in the future!

Excellent for teens, especially girls

Since buying the book, I had a chance to hear the author speak about her book. I am a retired teacher of 30 years and this book would be excellent for teen girls. It depicts teenagers very well, especially girls who all want to be a "Princess". It would be excellent classroom reading.

Gripping read

Parker Prescott is the reserved, middle child in her family - an ice princess. Can anyone thaw her out? This is a gripping story of obsession and desire. Parker's voice is strong, and the cast of characters surrounding her are both interesting and believable. The problems Parker faces are problems we can all relate to, from sibling rivalry to being caught between wanting to please your parents and being true to yourself. This is a great read for teens, and has crossover appeal for adults too.

Fabulous Read

Handcuffs by Bethany Griffin When I first laid my hands on a copy of Handcuffs by Bethany Griffin I thought it was a typical teen novel with a racy spin. I didn't think I would enjoy it. I'm too old to fall into the world of teenage romance, but I found myself drawn into the Prescott's family drama seeing snippets of my own feelings and emotions on the page. I could not put the book down and I read it in two nights. This book takes a unique situation that draws the reader into a dysfunctional American drama. By watching this family, I learned how personal growth can influence all members of a family after a seemingly disastrous situation. Parker Prescott was caught by her parents in a compromising position with her ex-boyfriend involving handcuffs. This isn't supposed to happen because Parker is the good middle child. Her wild older sister and ADHD younger brother are the troublemakers. The family is already struggling and Parker should not have been adding to it. Griffin entitles the book Handcuffs that would suggest a graphic and sexually explicit book, yet it is neither. The author takes care to walk the reader to the edge and leave the rest to the imagination. Not many authors do that today because they want shock value and extreme topics. Handcuffs teaches us lessons about life and decision making as well as living with the results of those decisions. When I first met Parker Prescott, I didn't care for her. She is a self-professed Ice Princess, but knows there is more depth to herself than that. She is smart, pretty, and troubled by her ex-boyfriend. I hated seeing her wrapped in her struggle with him: should she or shouldn't she? However, Parker put a lot of thought into her decision to have sex with her ex-boyfriend, but she did it for all the wrong reasons. My satisfaction came from watching her emotional growth from this experience. The Prescott parents were extremely overloaded in dealing with their family, as are many families today. It seems like the mother was constantly putting out fires with her son and oldest daughter. And when it came time to do the same with Parker, it was just too much. I saw this family taken to the breaking point, but they didn't shatter, it actually brought them closer together and made them stronger for it. The veils that shielded them from each other were lifted and they saw each other more clearly. I believe teens and parents should read Handcuffs by Bethany Griffin because they will learn from the struggles that the Prescott family endures. The roller coaster ride of Parker Prescott's life takes her into cyber threats and internet bullying and eventually to peace, but not before the family suffers through chaos. Each member has struggles that the average person can relate to and it is enticing to see how each one deals and grows from his or her own situation. It is a real page-turner and I could not put it down. It was engrossing and I found myself doing something I never