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The Shadow Club – Book Description
The Shadow Club starts simply enough: the kids who are tired of being second-best get together and, for the first time, talk about how they feel. But soon the members decide to play practical jokes on the first-place winners they envy, and things begin to spin dangerously out of control.
“This is a provocative novel . . . The plot is ingeniously simple and the course of events compelling. Brisk enough to snag a popular audience, but forceful in impact, it will leave readers thinking.” (Booklist, starred review)
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From Publishers Weekly
This engrossing book portrays how easily even “good” kids can lose control of themselves and do cruel and horrible things. Seven junior-high-school students (all “second-bests”) led by narrator Jared and best friend Cheryl form the Shadow Club to get back at the “unbeatables” who make their lives miserable. Revenge tastes very sweet when they play humiliating practical jokes on all the school’s first-bests, including track star Austin, Jared’s nemesis. Any qualms that Jared has about the club get tossed aside when he’s acknowledged as president. And, though he calls a temporary halt to the pranks, someone starts playing really dangerous tricks. Events come to a head when Austin is seriously injured. Sure that school weirdo Tyson is the culprit, the Shadow Club captures him. Jared leads the others in beating him up, then almost causes the boy’s death. In the thrilling denouement, Jared learns where the blame really lies. Shusterman vividly conveys the overwhelming qualities of violent emotions and chillingly shows how a group of “nice” people can become an ugly, vengeful mob. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up A group of competitive high-school students, all second best in their areas of talent, form a secret club in order to pull anonymous practical jokes on their rivals. The pranks, which at first are humiliating but harmless, escalate to the point that they result in vandalism and injury and nearly cause a student’s death. Shusterman’s focus is on how the actions of these teens create a power that feeds on a previously hidden cruel or evil side of their personalities. This is strong material, and sections of the book have a punch that matches the subject. The dialogue of the teens, their concerns, and especially their feelings, are on target. Unfortunately, most of the book lacks suspense. The club members believe that an unpopular student who has eavesdropped on them is responsible for some of the more vicious pranks, but this is such an obvious red herring that the drama of the situation is lost. This book is neither as complex nor as well written as Robert Cormier’s novels, but as its premise and tone hold interest, The Shadow Club may appeal to Cormier’s fans and those readers who are not yet ready for his books. David Gale, “School Library Journal”
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
this book is hard to explane the meaning is important to me though i finished this book today and i am starting on the second one now all of this aothors books have a hidden meaning and it is up to the reader to find that meaning within the book and learn from it
it is very hard to explain because it has so many details and characters in the story
i thougth ur book was really good all my classmates read it with our teacher some parts were pretty awkward but over all it was a great book.
when was it published
The Shadow Club was my first published novel — It was published when I was 23. The Shadow Club Rising (which I think is the better book) was published 14 years later.
1988 i think
1988
when does the book take place
also where does it take place
Many times I don’t put a date, or specific location on a story, so that everyone can relate to it. It can take place anywhere, at any time. The town could be yours, the date could be today…
THANK YOU
I also think that the sequel is really good and I was wondering how you came up with the character Alec.
please respond This is an amazing book we are reading it in school and I would love for a response so I can tell my teacher that you accually responded back to me. Please send me an email it would be much easier thank you!
glad you’re enjoying the Shadow Club! Keep on reading! Try “the Shadow Club Rising” which I think is even better than the first!
This is when of the coolest and kind of scary book I ave ever read
I like the book, I’m using it for a book report in English class. 4.5 stars
yes
Hello! I am planning on teaching this novel in August for my upcoming “hybrid” classes. I taught it years ago in an urban setting to at-risk, reluctant readers and THEY LOVED IT! I teach 8th Grade ELA in Hillsville, VA. I was wondering if you might be interested in participating in a virtual Q&A / Interview with my students? They are mostly inclusion, so this would be a WONDERFUL WAY to connect fiction to real life. Feel free to email me back. Thanks and hope to hear from you soon!
I responded to your email. Yes, I do virtual sessions, and have representatives who handle that.
Hello! I am a teacher at Harrison Middle School in the middle of the mitten of Michigan. We are reading your novel The Shadow Club as our school wide novel for reading month! I have read it many times over the years to my students and they always love it! I see from the question above that a virtual Q&A session might be a possibility. My email is krussell@harrisonschools.com. If you could send me some information, that would be be amazing! Thank you for your time and for writing such a great book!
Hi, — I’ve forwarded on to my speaking rep, and they should be in touch!
Good….. Me Like
Will there ever be a third shadow club book?
None is planned, but if I come up with a reason to write one, and the passion to do it, there could be!