45. The Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks

1. Bibliographic Information:
Brooks, K. (2006). The road of the dead. Prince Frederick, MD: Recorded Books, LLC.
Playaway Recorded Books
Narrated by Paul Thornley
Unabridged Running Time: 8.5 hours
ISBN: 978-1-4361-0830-0

2. Plot Summary:
Cole and Ruben are modern-day former gypsies living with their mother in London. One day, 14 year old Ruben “feels” the brutal rape and death of his 19 year-old sister, though he is many miles away. He sees the dead man with his sister, and knows he must to do something to help Rachel. Since Rachel’s death is still a mystery, the family cannot bury her until the police investigation is complete. Ruben and his older brother Cole set out to the English moors in Dartmoor to find out what actually happened to their sister. Upon arriving, Ruben and Cole go to Abbie’s house, which Rachel was visiting. Things are not all that they seem. Ruben and Cole get into a fight with a biker gang and a man named Red. As the boys delve deeper into the mystery, Abbie’s story does not seem to be entirely accurate as well. The more and more the boys try to investigate, violence begins to escalate. Can the boys figure out who is behind the death of their sisters before its too late?

3. Critical Evaluation
Like with most of Kevin Brooks’ work, The Road of the Dead focuses on character development and analysis of its young adult characters. Due to the themes and emphasis on character development, The Road of the Dead reads like a film noir and is very reminiscent of films such as “Stand by Me” and “Bad Day at Black Rock.” While Ruben remains the protagonist of the story, it is Cole who is the hardest character to empathize with and yet the most interesting. Unlike Ruben, Cole is somewhat emotionally distant from the entire situation; while he is grieving for his sister, Cole’s actions are determined by need rather than his feelings. Furthermore, Cole’s environment has much to do with his character development. Cole remembers what it was like living as a gypsy, with his father and the rest of their camp. Ruben, on the other hand, is still a young boy, and as such, is influenced by his age as well as his almost psychic visions. In many ways, the emotional distance that Cole is able to achieve will definitely attract young adult male readers.

4. Reader’s Annotation
Cole and Ruben are gypsies grieving for the loss of their sister. They set out for the village of Dartmoor for answers, but encounter a conspiracy in their midst.

5. Information about the Author
Kevin Brooks was born in 1959 in London, where he still resides. The Road of the Dead is his seventh book. It was nominated for a Carnegie Medal and was the ALA Book of the Year winner.

6. Genre
This book has many different elements; however, I think it most embodies a crime drama.

7. Curriculum Ties
Outside reading book for English.

8. Booktalking Ideas
-What do you think Rachel means when she says, “Let the dead bury the dead” in Ruben’s “feelings.”
-Do you agree with the way the author offers no explanation of how Cole found the body?

9. Reading Level/Interest Age
This book would appeal to young adult male readers aged 15-18.

10. Challenge Issues
The book can be very graphic in terms of the violent descriptions.

For more information about challenged books see the American Library Association’s website:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/

11. Why Was It Selected?
Kevin Brooks is the author for my author/genre study paper.

12. Citation Page
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm

Picture from:
Audible.com. (2010). The road of the dead. Retrieved from http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/products/ProductDetail.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1253345083.1266884327@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccadejjlgklifcefecekjdffidfjf.0&productID=BK_RECO_001429

13. Awards
2007 Carnegie Medal Shortlist