Shattering Glass

Giles, G. (2003). Shattering Glass. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Summary

Popularity. Football. Cheerleaders. Parties. Friends. Enemies. Love. Drama. It's the stuff good high school stories are made of.

Rob quickly made a name for himself when he arrived at his new school his junior year. His charisma, charm, and good looks earned him top spot in the popularity game; he was eager to encourage and help his new friends whenever he could, and even stuck up for other kids others usually picked on. Now, in their senior year, Rob proposes a project for his buddies: turn Simon Glass, the school's nerdiest, most hopeless scapegoat, into Prince Charming by the end of the year. Although it seems altruistic at first, his mission soon absorbs many people who end up doing things they would never have done if Rob hadn't convinced them it was the right thing to do. As Simon begins gaining popularity, his shy, vulnerable exterior begins to fade away to reveal a sinister confidence that challenges Rob's role as ring-leader, revealing a side of Rob that no one imagined existed. A clash and explosion is inevitable in Shattering Glass.

Worth a bookmark?

This mystery was a definite page-turner. Most of the characters appear flat at first, filling the stereotypical high school character roles. But as the story unfolds, the reader finds that these "typical" characters are hiding darker secrets and problems behind a blissful façade. I really liked that each chapter provided a bit of foreshadowing from the perspective of various minor characters. You know tragedy is inevitable, but you are kept guessing about when and how it will take place. The ending is explosive and shocking, and the way the characters develop through the story is incredible.

In my library…

This book is best suited for a high school library because of the mature issues it deals with. I would include this book in a series of booktalks or commercials promoting mysteries. Appealing for a book club of both boys and girls, great discussion could focus on the different characters and how they are not exactly what they appear to be, then applying that to real-life situations of the consequences of getting caught up in peer pressure.

Reviews

This dark and suspense-filled teen drama introduces us to Simon Glass, who is a world-class school nerd. Rob, Mr. Charisma, is out to turn Simon into Prince Charming by the end of the year. And it looks like he just might pull off the feat. The narrator, Young Steward, has fallen under Rob's spell and finds himself a pawn in Rob's game. Though he feels a personal repulsion toward Simon, Young goes along with Rob's plans, even sacrificing his own girlfriend in the process. What makes this novel fascinating is that the author lets us know at the outset that something tragic is going to result, but keeps us guessing as to the form the tragedy will take. Each chapter is preceded by a quotation from one of the characters that deftly foreshadows oncoming doom. The device works to perfection, catapulting this novel above those in the mainstream. The disturbingly violent yet satisfying climax lives up to the hype. Gail Giles is an author worth watching. (Christopher Moning - Children's Literature)