Twisted By: Laurie Halse Anderson

Have you ever made a choice that you knew you would regret, but still made it anyways?

In the opening scenes of Twisted the main character, Tyler Miller is completing his hours of community service, the repercussion of a choice he made his junior year of high school. Even though Tyler is not the most popular student at his high school, as he moves into his senior year, he is faced with one of the most difficult choices he feels he has had to make in his life. Does he pursue Bethany Milbury the most popular girl in school, who just so happens to be the daughter of his dad’s boss and the twin sister of his archenemy, Chip Milbury? His decision to pursue then “date” her then sends Tyler’s life into an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows that involve many other choices and outcomes, such as violating his probation, cutting off all ties with his best friend, and perhaps even going to jail for an internet scandal.

While Tyler is dealing with all of his issues at high school, he also has to face his issues at home. Tyler’s younger sister has just started high school and he feels the need to be the typical big brother and protect her from the outside world. Even though the two have disagreeing view points on what high school life should be like, they do agree that there are many unresolved issues between their parents. Tyler’s parents expose them to arguing and mental abuse throughout the course of the novel. The father is so controlling that he not only psychological abuses his wife, but Tyler as well. In the end, the arguing and constant confrontations between his father and him lead Tyler to thoughts of running away and suicide. Tyler then has a final choice to make, face his problems or end them for good.

For readers who are fans of Laurie Halse Anderson’s previous work such as SPEAK and Catalyst, they will enjoy this plot twisting and page turning novel. I enjoyed the flow and structure of this novel. The short chapters made me want to keep reading, and I believe it will engage reluctant readers as well. The chapters always left me wanting to know more about what would happen next to Tyler. Due to the content of the novel, involving suicide and underage drinking, I would recommend this book to students in high school. I do not believe middle school students are mature enough to handle the material that is discussed in this novel. Overall, I felt that Anderson engaged and provided insight into how teens struggle to balance their life, while facing pressure from their friends, family, and themselves.