Lucas

RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 14 AND ABOVE. Kevin Brooks has done it again. He weaves a story and characters that I can't stop thinking about for days after I've read the book. Lucas is the story of a mysterious boy who appears on Caitlin's small island home. Caitlin is struggling at home with her alcoholic father still mourning the death of his wife, Caitlin's mother; and her beloved brother, just returned from college and not a bit like he was when he left. Caitlin's best friend and brother are hanging out with the roughest, meanest kids on the island. Jamie, the ringleader, catches Caitlin alone and Lucas stops him from raping her. The story gets darker from here and though it has a redemptive ending, I am still haunted by Brooks' ability to leave me feeling as though I have lost a friend. Highly recommended, for 13 and older.