Jude

In her YA debut, adult thriller writer Morgenroth tells the compelling story of Jude, 15, who is caught in a world of murder, drugs, and cover-ups that reaches into his Connecticut home and high school. The action is fast as Jude confronts the worst and best in himself, and the story reveals surprising secrets about people Jude thinks he can trust. Sworn to silence by the killer of his violent, drug-dealing dad, Jude moves into the wealthy home of the mother he has never known, and he switches to an elite private school. His mother is up for reelection as district attorney, and to save her reputation, he pleads guilty to a drug crime he didn't commit. He spends the next five years in prison, where he suffers constant abuse. Always he show more struggles to avoid being like his dad, and he longs for recognition from the mother who treats him like a stranger. There's a minimum of cursing and obscenity, but the dialogue still sounds pitch-perfect, and the intricacies of betrayal and discovery continue to the end of the novel. Readers will be caught by the thrilling mystery as well as Jude's fear, shame, anger, and search for home. Category: Books for Older Readers--Fiction. 2004, Simon & Schuster, $16.95. Gr. 9-12. Starred Review (Hazel Rochman, Booklist-Nov. 15, 2004 (Vol. 101, No. 6))
Won: Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States show less

Police officers respond to a call and find 15-year-old Jude watching television while his father lies dead in the next room. Jude knows who killed his father but will not talk even when he is taken into police custody. That is when Jude's life takes a dramatic turn leading to events that no one could predict, discovering a mother he never knew and leading to sacrifices no son should have to make. Jude is determined to prove himself to his newly discovered mother but is engulfed in a world of secrets and deception.

This mystery grabs the reader from the beginning pages with characters that are compelling and life-like. Jude is agonizingly real. On the outside he has mastered the appearance of control yet, beneath the surface, anger, show more fear, and confusion threaten to sweep him away. "Jude couldn't believe the man couldn't see that he was that scared. then he remembered the frozen calm of his face in the mirror--how he seemed to assume the mask automatically now, without willing it into place." This calm, cool demeanor is crucial to his survival. show less

Jude is such a great book because it tells how a kid has been kidnapped from his mom by his father when he was young. It tells how the kid grows up with his father not knowing who his mother is but one day his father gets shot and killed over drugs. This forces Jude to search for his mother and find out everything that has been hidden. During the time of his searching Jude somehow ends up in jail earning the nickname Duck as in if you see Jude you better duck. This book is great for teens and adults. I enjoyed this book because it showed you the struggle of life.

Reviewed by Jessi (Class of 2012)
Jude watches his drug-dealer father get gunned down at the kitchen table. As a result, he's taken from their dangerous neighborhood to a comfortable home, a high-type private school, and a mother he doesn't know. Jude is under suspicion for his father's murder, but to save his own life, he can't tell the police what he knows. You might compare Jude's character to that of the perfect conscience. In this lovingly-written novel, Kate Morgenroth captures your attention and pulls on your heart-strings with Jude's consistent and moving journey for acceptance and a mother's love. Having read this book three times, and still wanting more, I can safely say I give this book the highest rating possible.

I almost stopped reading when Harry convinced Jude to go along with his plan. Glad I didn't - it's an excellent book.

So far the book is great. The story makes you believe that it is going one way but then a twist comes along and bam! something new comes along. For example when the kid is in jail and your thinking hes gonna be staying there...his mom comes to pick him up after years. Then you learn more about the dad and the mom that overall doesnt want the son that much. Overall I can't wait to finish reading it.

I would tell people that you would never know how a kid who never had true love of a responsible parent would give up just to make a mom he hardly knew proud until you met Jude. The only thing I was disappointed with was that you never found out if Jude and Lizzie got together even though they hinted at it. I LOVE the Beatles and one of their hit songs 'Hey Jude.' So when I saw the unusual name on the shelf I had to get it! AHS/JA