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.

Once again, Anderson’s taut, confident writing will cause this story to linger long after the book is set down.

—School Library Journal

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    Reviews & Awards

     

    • ALA Best Book for Young Adults
    • ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults
    • International Reading Association Top Ten of 2007
    • 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

  • Twisted Playlist

    Twisted Playlist

  • Twisted Links

    Twisted Links

    The Facts:

    • One out of every five teenagers considers suicide.
    • One teenager out of every ten attempts suicide.
    • Every one hundred minutes, another teenager commits suicide.
    • Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people aged 15-24.
    • We need to speak up about this, too.

    (Statistics from the 2004 National Center for Health Statistics.)

    Lots of people feel broken and at the edge of despair. If you do, please reach out for help.

    IF YOU ARE THINKING OF KILLING YOURSELF, CALL 1-800-273-TALK. (NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE)

    Para obtener asistencia en español durante las 24 horas, llame al 1-888-628-9454.

    Go to the Suicide Prevention Myspace Page

    Are you worried about yourself or a friend?
    Not sure what symptoms or signs to look for?
    Need some info?
    Follow the links below:

  • Twisted Questions

    Twisted Questions

    What made you decide to write TWISTED?

    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.

    Is the videogame in the book real?

    Not yet, but maybe soon...

  • Twisted – Teacher’s Section

    Twisted - Teacher's Section