8. The Knife of Never Letting Go

 Ness, Patrick. The Knife of Never Letting Go. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick, 2008. Print. 

Living in a town of all men who think boys become men at the age of 14.  Todd is turning 14 in 30 days.  He is scared to death to become a "man" because he thinks differently than the others.  He has a kind heart, unlike the evilness of the men.  The men and boys of this town can read everyone's thoughts, including animals.  This is why the men killed the women, so they would not interfere with their thoughts.  As a boy becomes a man, he must kill another man.  Todd does not have the heart to kill anyone.  He decides to run away, with only a machete that was given to him by the men who raised him.  While running, Todd meets a girl who becomes his best friend.  They too can read each other's minds. They are searching for Haven, a place to be safe where they can escape the "noise" in their head.  The mayor's son shoots the Viola and Todd takes her to the town, but can't find anyone to help.  Come to find out, the mayor threatened everyone so that he can find Todd himself.  Todd pleads with the mayor to help save Viola.


Sometimes when teenagers get trapped, they give into temptations because they feel like they have no other choice.  The book does include violence and gruesome scenes that are graphic.  It would be recommended for ages 14 and older.

Here  is a great book trailer!