YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Fifteen-year-old Jason has fallen upon bad times—his mother has died and his father has succumbed to mental illness. As he tries to hold his crazy father and their crumbling home together, Jason relies on a host of imaginary friends for guidance as he stumbles along trying not to draw attention to his father’s deteriorating condition.

Both heartbreaking and funny, Crazy lives up to the intense and compelling characters Han Nolan is praised for. As Jason himself teeters on the edge of insanity, Nolan uncovers the clever coping system he develops for himself and throws him a lifeline in the guise of friendship.

Chapter eight: (view spoiler)[ This book is NOT what I expected. Everything's a mess and the writing style is annoying. I don't know about this one. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished Chapter 2 and I am still reading. (view spoiler)[I really enjoyed the whole talk about dates. I don't think I've ever gone as far as writing an incorrect date, but I know there have been moments when I just don't write a date. I also dislike the way that Mrs. Silky talks to Jason, I mean, shouldn't she try to help him?!? Right away you can tell that this kid is going through a hard time in his life, and this teacher doesn't seem to care. (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ Shelby is beginning to annoy me. There are moments when I agree with her, and then she opens her mouth again and I can't understand how she can be so cruel. I also feel like the school should be aware of what is going on in Jason's life. I mean, how do you send a kid to a shrink, without having an actual conversation with a child's parent or guardian? I might be over thinking this a bit. (hide spoiler)]

Vanessa wrote: "End of Chapter 6 [spoilers removed]"

I totally agree about Shelby! (view spoiler)[ Also, I find the entire school situation to be weird, the school is so unaware of basically everything? Now, I've never been in an Amercan school, but this seems very unrealistic. (hide spoiler)]

Johanna wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "End of Chapter 6 [spoilers removed]"

I totally agree about Shelby! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ It does seem unrealistic, and that's why I can't tell if I like the book or not. I mean, I love what the book is about, but I don't know how I feel if I can't think of something like this actually happening. It's supposed to be realistic fiction, but it doesn't seem realistic. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22: (view spoiler)[ Not really enjoying this. It's an interesting perspective, but the writing really puts me off.

I'm glad that there is finally something being done about his situation. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 32 (view spoiler)[The characters feel so flat! I can't picture any of them. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 34 (view spoiler)[ I'm glad that he'll be put up for adoption. Finally! I mean, his dad can't take care of him and his entire situation up until now has been terrible. It's tough, but it's for the best! (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[This book was very uninteresting to me. The plot summarized would be something along the lines of "lonely boy gets friends". Basically, quite boring. I think it's good that a book was written on the subject, but I'm unsure about it being this book. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I felt really uncomfortable reading this starting from Chapter 12. I didn't like how Haze and Shelby go see him and then decide to stay with him. I also dislike how unreasonable Jason is throughout the story. Yes, he is a kid, but he has to realize that it isn't good that he isn't properly fed, and that he has to take care of a grown man, specifically the man who is supposed to be taking care of him.

Getting put in the foster home was good for him. The idea of having to let his dad go at the end made sense, but felt like a cop-out, so it wouldn't be something Jason has to deal with later, considering how much he fought to not be separated from his father.

I still don't know how I felt about the violin.


I feel sad that this wasn't the book I was hoping for, but I'm glad it's over now.
(hide spoiler)]

Meant to hop on this, but got tied up with some other stuff. Do we need to request a restart?

Ch1-a rather self-conscious style.

Up to ch5. An odd style. Jason, like a lot of the kids he's engaging with, seem to have it tough.

Up to ch10. Good to see the others looking out for Jason, but the absence of adults is rather depressing.

Forgot to update thread as I was the only one reading it. Depressing inevitability to it, but fascinating read.