Brutal, Michael Harmon
Brutal, Michael Harmon
List: $17.50 | Sale: $12.25
Club: $8.75

Brutal

Author: Michael Harmon

Narrator: Kim Mai Guest

Unabridged: 6 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/10/2009


Synopsis

With her martyr-doctor mother gone to save lives in some South American country, Poe Holly suddenly finds herself on the suburban doorstep of the father she never knew, who also happens to be a counselor at her new high school. She misses Los Angeles. She misses the guys in her punk band. Weirdly, she even misses the shouting matches she used to have with her mom.

But Poe manages to find a few friends: Theo, the cute guy in the anarchy Tshirt, and Velveeta, her oddly likeable neighbor—and a born victim who’s the butt of every prank at Benders High. But when the pranks turn deadly at the hands of invincible football star Colby Morris, Poe knows she’s got to fix the system and take down the hero.

With insightfulness, spot-on dialogue, and a swiftly paced plot, Michael Harmon tells the story of a displaced girl grappling with a truly dangerous bully.

About The Author

Michael Harmon is the author of Skate (“A remarkable first novel” according to Kirkus Reviews) and The Last Exit to Normal (“An excellent read” according to a starred School Library Journal review). He lives in Washington state.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jennifer on November 11, 2012

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com When sixteen-year-old Poe Holly's doctor mother decides to take her practice to the jungles of South America for a year, Poe finds herself living with the father she has never really known. She was a baby the last time her parents were......more

Goodreads review by Stephanie on June 11, 2009

I have to say, I really, really enjoyed reading this novel probably because it exceeded my expectations. I highly enjoyed the witty humor and the very interesting point of view, Poe. The characters, Poe, Theo and Velveeta are highly personified and are developed nicely. I enjoyed Poe immensely because......more

Goodreads review by Richard on December 12, 2018

The book is named Brutal. The author’s name is Michael Harmon. This book is about a school year of a very rebellious sophomore named Poe Holly who is living with her dad because her mom is in South America. She is in South America because she is doing surgery on “needy” people and the person who nee......more

Goodreads review by Alex on August 13, 2009

Poe feels spurned when her mother sets her on a plane to go live with the dad she's never met. Poe is sarcastic and witty, cutting and strong. She sees the wrongness in the school- that the school preaches equality, but that's never true. Teachers and adults turn a blind eye on the bullying, the fac......more


Awards

  • ALA Quick Pick for Young Adult Reluctant Readers
  • Washington State Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award