Michael Printz YA Award Winner

Where Things Come Back 

by John Corey Whaley

 

Whaley, J.C. (2011). WHERE THINGS COME BACK. Atheneum Books: New York, NY. ISBN: 9781442413344

Cullen Witter is waiting for his brother, Gabriel, to return. Benton Sage is waiting to see God's plan for his life.  Cabot Searcy is waiting for answers.  Alma Ember is waiting for love to find her.  The character's stories are so beautifully intertwined and so artfully connected that the character's choices aren't always obvious. Each character seems to be waiting for something and while the reader is often surprised by each characters' choice it makes for an engaging read.

The style and language of this book is reminiscent of CATCHER IN THE RYE.  Cullen is an aspiring writer struggling with what life has in store from him.  He can't understand the adults in his life and is fearful he will be just like them--lost without hope of ever changing.  Even worse he worries that his life might never start. The author writes with distinctive dedication to the feelings of each character, while building to a "I didn't see that coming climax."  Although the plot is subtly laid out throughout the book the author does such an excellent job of layering the story the reader isn't sure what will be coming next.  The theme of the story is masked in several stories that are somehow all connected. Truly a masterful piece of writing!

This story is not intended for children.  The book is full of profanity (which is appropriate for the book, but not appropriate for all readers) and some sexual content.  As Cullen struggles with grief and anticipation, he often does things that don't make sense--even to himself.  However, this is often a struggle that many young adults face--the excitement and fear of independence.  No matter how ready we think we are to be independent, there is always a fear of failure. Even worse is the fear that nothing really changes and we are all doomed to be just like our parents.

Michael L. Prints Award
William C. Morris YA Award
 Kirkus Review- "Unexpected, thought-provoking storytelling."
Publishers Weekly-"A disturbing, heartbreaking finale that retains a touch of hope."

*Have students use Cullen's titles as a writing prompt to create a short story.
*Pair this text with a classic:
Salinger, J.D. (2001). CATCHER IN THE RYE. Back Bay Books: New York, NY. ISBN 978-0316769174



Here is a book trailer I created for an Adolescent Literacy Course: