Book Review: Shock Point

Shock Point by April Henry
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SUMMARY: Cassie Streng, 16, knows that her psychiatrist stepfather, Rick, prescribed an experimental drug for his teenage patients, three of whom have committed suicide. Before she can gather evidence, however, she is grabbed by two men, handcuffed, locked in the back of a van, and taken to Peaceful Cove, a facility for troubled teens in Mexico. Although Rick has assured her mother that the place is an excellent boarding school, Cassie soon realizes that she is trapped in a brutal prison camp. She must make her way back to Oregon and convince someone of the danger Rick represents before anyone else dies. (adapted from the School Library Journal review)

OPINION: The classic "wicked stepmother" story gets a new twist in this suspenseful novel. Cassie's stepfather, Rick, is a charming and charismatic psychiatrist who has her mother completely fooled. Expecting their first child, Cassie's mother complies with all of Rick's plans, from moving to a new house in a new city to sending Cassie away on suspicions of drug possession. The lack of family support in this book is astonishing, but I don't think it is unrealistic. The action in the book flips back and forth between present and past, creating tension as it reveals crucial details. The story is not too graphic, but the plot will keep you hooked. Most frightening to me, boot camp programs like this for troubled teens do exist and this book provides a chilling look at how they can be misused. I would recommend this book to anyone in middle or early high school looking for a quick and exciting read. I finished this book in one afternoon because I wanted to see what happened!