Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave
Walker, 2011. ISBN 9780802723550.
I admit that I am not fond of novels written in verse. However
Unlocked has helped me overcome this dislike. The book deals
with
a number of important issues, such as friendship and should all secrets
be kept regardless of the consequences.
Andy is a loner with problems of his own, not the least being that he
is the son of the school's cleaner and caretaker. He meets another boy
who is a loner like himself and they begin to be friends. The
friendship starts when Andy volunteers to find out if the rumour that
Blake has a gun in his locker is true. He does this as he hopes
to impress Becky Ann and become friends with her.
Usually the problem I have with novels written in verse is that the
characters are not developed and it is hard to have any empathy with
them. In Unlocked the author avoids this and as the story
progresses
you begin to have an insight into Andy and why he is like he is and why
Blake has the gun in his locker. Even while not approving of his
actions you can have some sympathy with what has caused him to get to
the point he does. At the end I realized that I had enjoyed the
book. It was easy to read, provided insight into the characters
and their problems and ended convincingly.
It could easily be used as a basis for discussion in middle school.
David Rayner