High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the kind of guy who faded into the background–average student, average looks, average dysfunctional family. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school, and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it, he stands out like you wouldn’t believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just so happens to be his father’s boss’s daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy–and Tyler’s secret crush. And that sets off a string of events and changes that have Tyler questioning his place in the school, in his family, and in the world.
In Twisted, the acclaimed Laurie Halse Anderson tackles a very controversial subject: what it means to be a man today. Fans and new readers alike will be captured by Tyler’s pitchperfect, funny voice, the surprising narrative arc, and the thoughtful moral dilemmas that are at the heart of all of the author’s award-winning, widely read work.
Once again, Anderson’s taut, confident writing will cause this story to linger long after the book is set down.
International Reading Association's Young Adultsí Choices List
New York Times Bestseller List
YALSA Teen Top Ten of 2008
Nominated to 12 state reading award lists
“ Anderson returns to weightier issues in the style of her most revered work, Speak (1999), and stretches her wings by offering up a male protagonist for the first time.” — Kirkus Reviews *Starred Review*
“ Tyler truly suffers and the reader suffers with him, and yet, ultimately, Tyler prevails... The novel announces that it is "not for children," and it is not, but it will provide an excellent source of both entertainment and serious conversation.” — KLIATT*Starred Review*
“ With gripping scenes and a rousing ending, Anderson authentically portrays Tyler's emotional instability as he contemplates darker and darker solutions to his situation....Once again, Anderson's taut, confident writing will cause this story to linger long after the book is set down.” — School Library Journal
"Severe and chronic trauma (such as living with an alcoholic parent, or watching in terror as your mom gets beat up) causes toxic stress in kids. Toxic stress damages kid’s brains. When trauma launches kids ...
How awesome is this guy?
He is a photographer who has been taking pictures of himself dressed like that for nine years. Why? To raise money for breast cancer, a disease that his wife is battling.
See ...
Vernon Minor, Superintendant of Republic, MO school district, has resigned, three months after the school board voted not to extend his contract.
This is the district that banned Speak, Slaughterhouse Five, and Twenty Boy Summer ...
In the last couple of weeks, I've had a lot of interaction, via social media and email, with people who are struggling with eating disorders.
The time has come for us all to get righteously ...
Many of the teenage guys I met in the last ten years had fascinating things to tell me. While the book is not based on anyone’s story, the themes of a guy’s alienation from his dad, a broken family pretending to be happy, and the despair that leads kids to kill themselves came from what they told me. And I like a challenge. I’d written a bunch of books from a girl’s point-of-view, and I wanted to see if I could get in the head of a boy.
What would you like readers to learn from Tyler?
That they are not alone with their darkest thoughts, that most people go through hell, and that it is possible to survive having parents who are clueless jerks. Oh, and that friends are gold.
What adjectives would you use to describe TWISTED?
Aaahhh...twisted? No, that’s too obvious. Dark, funny, dangerous, and honest.
Newsletter
Twisted
High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the kind of guy who faded into the background–average student, average looks, average dysfunctional family. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school, and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it, he stands out like you wouldn’t believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just so happens to be his father’s boss’s daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy–and Tyler’s secret crush. And that sets off a string of events and changes that have Tyler questioning his place in the school, in his family, and in the world.
In Twisted, the acclaimed Laurie Halse Anderson tackles a very controversial subject: what it means to be a man today. Fans and new readers alike will be captured by Tyler’s pitchperfect, funny voice, the surprising narrative arc, and the thoughtful moral dilemmas that are at the heart of all of the author’s award-winning, widely read work.