ReviewsKirkus Reviews
This riveting debut opens with seventh-grader Robbie Thompson locked in solitary confinement at Great Oaks School (or Prison, as Robbie refers to it), where he’s forced to meet required behavioral expectations to gain even basic needs. Read Full Review Publishers Weekly
First-time author Cerrito delivers a tale of crime, punishment, and self-discovery driven by subtle characterizations and simmering tensions. Read Full Review VOYA - Lynne Farrell Stover
Thirteen-year-old Robbie Thompson begins his story from "the end of the line" at Great Oaks School, which he refers to as a prison. Here he will earn the privilege to eat, shower, and wear shoes while learning crucial life lessons. Read Full Review VOYA Top Shelf
Thirteen-year-old Robbie narrates this taunt and beautifully written account of how he killed another boy. Read Full Review (page 3 and 4) The Horn Book After killing another kid in a fight, thirteen-year-old Robbie finds himself incarcerated at a reform school; the place represents his last chance to accept responsibility for his actions. Alternating chapters follow Robbie up to the violent incident and throughout his dark, sometimes terrifying reformation. The tense and suspenseful narrative builds as Robbie slowly reveals details about what happened. |
Librarians' Choices - Shirley Duke
This gritty and horrifying novel provides a realistic and open ending for the boy who comes to accept his actions and moves back home to a
changed life. Robbie’s story is at times funny and poignant, but the horror of his actions resonates as the actions leading to the murder are slowly revealed. Read Full Review
This gritty and horrifying novel provides a realistic and open ending for the boy who comes to accept his actions and moves back home to a
changed life. Robbie’s story is at times funny and poignant, but the horror of his actions resonates as the actions leading to the murder are slowly revealed. Read Full Review
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Confined alone in a locked room, punished until he writes what the authorities in Great Oaks School think he ought to, Robbie can’t help but privately believe that he’s finally getting the treatment he deserves. Read Full Review
Confined alone in a locked room, punished until he writes what the authorities in Great Oaks School think he ought to, Robbie can’t help but privately believe that he’s finally getting the treatment he deserves. Read Full Review
The Crimson Review of Children's & YA Literature
Cerrito does an excellent job writing from the point of view of a scared, lonely, confused thirteen-year-old boy in this riveting story. Read Full Review
Cerrito does an excellent job writing from the point of view of a scared, lonely, confused thirteen-year-old boy in this riveting story. Read Full Review
Kutztown University
The author’s descriptions of middle school taunting and bullying are authentic, as are the reactions of the characters. Other topics addressed include the war in Iraq, friendship, peer pressure, family dynamics, goal-setting, responsibility, and guilt. Read Full Review (page 28)
The author’s descriptions of middle school taunting and bullying are authentic, as are the reactions of the characters. Other topics addressed include the war in Iraq, friendship, peer pressure, family dynamics, goal-setting, responsibility, and guilt. Read Full Review (page 28)
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"This book hit me in the guts," Lindsey Leavitt author of Princess for Hire and Sean Griswold's Head on the The Book Butterfly
"I really enjoyed and admired The End of the Line," Maureen McGowan author of Cinderella: Ninja Warrior and Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer on Proud Book Nerd