Over the Line

author: David T. Lloyd

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.00

book published: 2013

rating: 2

read at: 2014/09/01

date added: 2014/09/01

shelves:

review:

'Over The Line' is a coming of age story that spans about a week. A lot happens. Perhaps a bit too much, but it all mostly gets wrapped up.



Justin Lyle is a kid living with his dad. His mom has left and he lost a baby brother. There are bullies in his town and unexpected friends. He's doing a paper on World War II and he borrows his grandfather's medal without telling his dad. Along with the medal is a diary with some confusing facts. Of course the medal is stolen by the school bully who wants to get even for being ratted on by Justin's dad. Justin finds out that being a hero can be complicated and he finds himself involved in a bunch of trouble by the end of the book.



It's a lot of story elements, and I kept thinking it was taking place in a much earlier timeframe (like the 1950s), but it's clearly in modern times. I'm not sure why I thought it was earlier. Perhaps because Justin's character seems like he's from another time. Maybe that's me. It's all handled well enough, but huge issues like losing a sibling or abandonment seem to get shortchanged. Justin really feels cut from a sitcom and I had a hard time liking him. He does change over the short term of the book.



I received a review copy of this ebook from Syracuse University Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.





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