The Guardian

by Joyce Sweeney

Hunter has never had anyone to look out for him. His mother gave him away when he was young, he's never known his father, and his foster mother leaves a lot to be desired in the mothering department. So when a mysterious, benevolent force suddenly starts coming to his aid, Hunter doesn't know what to believe. Could he really have a guardian angel? Hunter so badly wants someone to care that he's willing to take a leap of faith, and more. But when he finally learns the truth about his angel, he'll have to decide whether it's the best thing that ever happened to him or the worst. This masterful pairing of suspenseful, fast-paced storytelling with genuine compassion and heart is Joyce Sweeney at her best.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805080198
• ISBN13: 9780805080193
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 14 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 9 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

It will make you think...be careful what you wish for.

If anyone needs a guardian angel it's Hunter. His foster father Mike, one of the only people to ever care about Hunter, passes away and this escalates the abuse dished out by his foster mother. When an angel named Gabriel appears in his life, it seems too good to be true. It is. This guardian wears a black, leather-fringed jacket, drives a Gold Wing motorcycle and is not what Hunter had envisioned. In THE GUARDIAN, Joyce Sweeney artfully weaves together a 13-year-old's tender hopes with his gritty reality in a fast-paced read many teens are sure to enjoy! -- Reviewed by Michelle Delisle

Great read for teens.

What a ride! This is great journey for any reader. Loved that this book traveled from drama to supernatural and back. One gets lost in the tension, emotion, and yearning that the main character experiences. Intense drama, action, and a very memorable climax make this book worth reading again.

A high-octane story for young readers who need fast-paced action!

What a wild ride! I thought I'd try to read a little bit of Joyce Sweeney's The Guardian before I went to bed, but within three or four pages I knew there was no way I'd be able to do anything but keep that throttle wide open to the very last page. The Guardian is a quick read, and it is accessible to a wide age range of readers. It's an excellent choice for reluctant readers who need a fast-paced, high-energy story. The conflict revs up right away in the first couple of pages, screams into the fast-lane, and then leans into a wild, unexpected curve near the end. I was particularly taken by Sweeney's ability to drop us right into young Hunter's mind as he faces his challenges, makes tough decisions, and even keeps us laughing a little bit when the road gets bumpy. A beautiful story!

The Guardian is a Great Read

Author Joyce Sweeney has come up with another winner in the Guardian. The teen-aged Hunter is an indelible character: shuffled from foster home to foster home, he's smart, resourceful, and longing to be loved. I was hooked from Chapter 1. I loved the interplay between Hunter and his Guardian Angel. Reality? Supernatural? Heavenly? Sweeney's guessing game had me going until the big revelation. I loved every minute of the uncertainty. Kudos!

Sweet and Suspenseful!

THE GUARDIAN is my favorite Joyce Sweeney novel yet. Hunter is a sweet, sensitive kid in a terrible situation. His courage and loyalty come through on every page, even in a book that is packed with suspense. At the end, he emerges as a stronger, wiser person and although he doesn't get a happily-ever-after, he does get a happier-for-now that is very satisfying and real-feeling. Sweeney has crafted a tightly written page turner that I devoured in one sitting. I highly recommend this book!