Twisted

Anderson, Laurie Halse.  (2007). TWISTED.  New York:  Speak.  ISBN 9780142411841

Tyler Miller struggles with making the right decisions with being noticed by his peers. “People ignored me when I was Nerd Boy, but that changed after I was arrested.” (p. 45) In order to make a name for him in high school, Tyler creates a stir at the end of his junior year of high school by spray painting the school. He experiences the consequences of the law by being arrested, receiving probation, and being forced to complete community service. While working with the schools’ custodial staff over the summer, Tyler sees a change in his looks and body image, which happen to lead to a very special Bethany to notice him. 

Tyler grew up in a middle class suburban neighborhood in what would be considered a normal household. As the Journal of Adolescent and Adult literacy states, “Tyler’s family appears normal to most—his mom takes pictures for a living, his dad is living the corporate life, and his sister is a freshman trying to be popular in high school—but things aren’t what they seem; this family has its problems.” Tyler truly lives a twisted life throughout his senior year trying to redeem his behaviors by following the rules of his father and lusting after his nemesis sister, Bethany. 

Laurie Halse Anderson brings reality to Tyler’s character. Her vivid language helps the reader feel the emotions that Tyler faces when being hit with acceptance from his family, and acceptance from his peers. Stephen Kaywell questions Tyler’s choices, “does doing the right thing always pay off? Can doing the wrong thing turn out to be a good thing? For Tyler Miller, things are really “twisted.” Horn Book Magazine states that “he struggles to balance peer pressures, probation, and family obligations. Anderson explores issues of masculine identity, power, and conscience in a tautly paced story.” 

Readers will be on the edge of their seat as the read this book wondering constantly why others see Tyler as the bad boy, when in reality he was trying to protect Bethany. “No, it’s not like that at all. It just-look, Bethany, you’re totaled. Shit-faced, no offense. You know I really like you and I want to be with you, but (someone please shoot me now) not like this.” (p. 125-126). Both Tyler’s family and Tyler have to learn how to deal with pressure society and hierarchy has on the happiness of everyday life. Twisted deals with crime, sex, and suicide. Readers will find that they want to protect Tyler and help him see his choices are actually for the better and good will always overcome evil. The truth will prevail.

Resources:

Kaywell, Stephen M.; Kaywell, Joan F.. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, Sep2008, Vol. 52 Issue 1, p76-77, 2p

Crawford, Philip Charles. Horn Book Magazine, Nov/Dec2007, Vol. 83 Issue 6, p704-704, 1/2p