Bruiser - by Neal Shusterman (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

The New York Times bestselling author of Challenger Deep, Neal Shusterman, delivers a suspenseful, eloquent, and thrilling novel that you won't be able to stop thinking about after you've put it down.

Tennyson is not surprised, really, when his family begins to fall apart, or when his twin sister, Brontë, starts dating the misunderstood bully, Brewster (or The Bruiser, as the entire high school calls him). Tennyson is determined to get to the bottom of The Bruiser's reputation, even if it means gearing up for a fight. Brontë, on the other hand, thinks there's something special underneath that tough exterior. And she's right...but neither she nor Tennyson is prepared for the truth of what lies below the surface.

Told through Tennyson, Brontë, and Bruiser's points of view, this dark, twisting novel explores friendship, family, and the sacrifices we make for the people we love.

A Texas Lone Star Reading List selection
A Book Page Top Ten Book of the Year
A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year
A Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice

From the Back Cover

There's a reason why Brewster can't have friends--why he can't care about too many people. Because when he cares about you, things start to happen. Impossible things that can't be explained. I know, because they're happening to me.

When Brontë starts dating Brewster "Bruiser" Rawlins--the guy voted Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty--her twin brother, Tennyson, isn't surprised. But then strange things begin to occur. Tennyson and Brontë's scrapes heal unnaturally fast, and cuts disappear before their eyes. What at first seems like their good fortune turns out to be more than they bargained for . . . much more.

Review Quotes

"The compelling issues and engaging premise make this a rewarding read." - ALA Booklist

"Even as the narrative wrestles with philosophical and moral issues, it delves deep into the viewpoints of Tennyson, Bronte, Bruiser, and his younger brother, each segment told in a different, distinctive style, making for a memorable story." - Publishers Weekly

"Shusterman's writing is wonderful and a joy to read. The subject matter makes this a great book discussion choice." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

"This is a wrenching but ultimately redemptive look at how pain defines us and how love, whether familial, romantic or friendly, demands sacrifice and brings gifts of its own. Once again, Shusterman spins a fantastic tale that sheds light on everyday life." - Kirkus Reviews

"This eloquent and thoughtful story will most certainly leave its mark." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Shusterman's novel reveals its secrets and their implications slowly, allowing readers to connect the dots before the characters do and encouraging them to weigh the price of Bruiser's 'gift' against the freedom from pain that Tennyson and Bronte enjoy." - School Library Journal