Deem, James M. 3 NBs of Julian Drew

Kliatt, Sept, 2004 by Myra Marler

DEEM, James M. 3 NBs of Julian Drew. Houghton Mifflin, Graphia. 201p. c1994. 0-618-43907-2. $6.99. J*

Julian Drew is an abused 16-year-old boy, kept locked in a garage bedroom when not in school, forced to do all the household chores, and fed as little as possible to keep him alive by his father and stepmother, His only outlet is the inexpensive notebook he buys with hoarded milk money in which he writes letters to his dead mother. The story is difficult to get into because the first letters are cryptic and coded as Julian strains towards putting his thoughts into words, but in figuring out the puzzle, the reader is gradually pulled into Julian's world.

The story is about the acquisition of language and how with its power, Julian defines and frames his predicament and finds strength within himself to seek escape. In doing so, he finds allies to aid him in the flight from his dreadful life to a freedom that brings its own responsibilities. This novel is excellent for reading and discussion in the classroom.

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

*--The asterisk highlights exceptional books.

Myra Marler, Assoc. Prof. of English, BYU, Provo, UT