Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

If you dare visit Paranoid Park in Portland, Oregon, you will find the Streeters and the Preps. In Blake Nelson's new novel, PARANOID PARK, the reader enters the dark side of the skate park world along with the main character, who happens to be one of the Preps.

Paranoid Park is the nickname for an old skate park being used by the less desirable Streeters. While visiting the park, the main character is dared to jump a train car with one of the Streeters. When they are discovered by a security guard, an unfortunate "accident" causes the horrific death of the guard. The Streeter takes off, leaving the Prep with the guard's remains and the decision of what to do next.

What should he do? Tell the police, tell his parents, tell a friend? He decides to keep the truth to himself, but mixed in with his parents' impending divorce, his girlfriend issues, plus school and grades, he may have more than he can deal with.

Nelson's PARANOID PARK is described as a psychological thriller, and I couldn't agree more. If you are a fan of getting into the mind of the characters, this is just the book for you. With its attention-grabbing title and its cool skateboard cover, it will be flying off young adult shelves. ( )

Really not my cup of tea, but it is a quick read and I can see that this would be a great novel for a reluctant male reader, especially a skater. There are minor instances of drugs, drink, sex and rock and roll.

I’ve heard this novel became a movie that’s coming out in March ’08. I think they must have added a lot to the script or have a narrating voice, because I can’t imagine a movie where the main character just looks guilty for 90 minutes. ( )

http://barefootwithbooks.blogspot.com... ( )

A sixteen-year-old Portland, Oregon skateboarder, whose parents are going through a difficult divorce, is engulfed by guilt and confusion when he accidentally kills a security guard at a train yard. ( )