Bruiser

Bruiser is the latest novel from the always creative author Neal Shusterman. This time Shusterman tells the unique story of a young man with a special ability through the eyes offour different characters. First there aresixteen-year-old brother and sister twins, Tennyson and Brontë, who if you haven't guessed are the children of literature professors. Then there is classmate Brewster Rawlins and his eight-year-old brother Cody who live with their uncle on a run-down former farm in the middle of the suburbs.

Not much is known about Brewster, except that because of his hulking size and quiet manner, everyone calls him Bruiser. Brontëdecides that she wants to date Brewster and this sends the hot-headedTennyson into fits.After confrontingBrewster, Tennyson decides to give him a chance although he does want to find out more about this mysterious kid in his class.

It turns out that Brewster has a special ability to absorb the pain of those around him that he cares for,especially his little brother Cody who suffers from physical abuse at the hands of his uncle. Brewster has kept this a secret by being quiet and never really having any friends. Both Tennyson and Brontë realize this as injuries disappear and their athletic abilities become much greater. Slowly, Tennyson and Brontëbegin todraw Brewster out of his shell, butBrewster's uncle becomes enraged and goes into a frenzy that will change things forever. This story, alternating between the voices of the four main characters, the initial bullying voice of Tennyson, the compassionate voice of Brontë, the poetic voice of Brewster, and the child voice of Cody, will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next.