Langston, Laura. Exit point.
LANGSTON, Laura. Exit point. Orca, Soundings. 110p. c2006. 1-55143-505-5. $7.95. S16-year-old Logan can hardly believe that he's dead. He looks the same, has thoughts and feelings, and can see everything and everyone around him. But there's no denying it after he witnesses his own funeral: Logan died in a car accident and has moved on. More accurately, he is in the process of moving on. Before Logan can do so, he has some unfinished business to attend to. Langston presents the reader with the intriguing idea that Logan himself chose an early exit point--dying in a car accident at 16--rather than the one intended for him--dying at age 77 by choking on a grape. Logan's early death has altered the lives of everyone he loves. Thanks to some savvy bargaining by his Gran (also dead), Logan is allowed to stick around and see how his absence will affect his little sister, Amy. Gran warns Logan that someone is harming Amy. Logan discovers that she's being sexually abused and brings it to his parents' attention.
This short read will quickly pull readers in with its unique premise. The notion of still playing a vital role and feeling very much alive in the afterlife is a thought-provoking concept sure to inspire much discussion. With a fast-paced plot and the constant pull of tension, Langston manages to pack a lot of action into a brief story. The hopeful ending lightens the gravity of the plot. Amanda MacGregor, St. Cloud, MN
S--Recommended for senior high school students.
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| Author: | MacGregor, Amanda |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Kliatt |
| Date: | Jan 1, 2007 |
| Words: | 255 |
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