Review: Kevin's Point of View by Del Shannon

Title: Kevin's Point of View
Author: Del Shannon
Publication Date: October 26, 2010

From Goodreads:


Kevin Tobin is a relatively ordinary 12-year-old dealing with the aftermath of his father's death in a mountain biking accident near their home in Boulder, Colorado. To escape from his emotional turmoil, Kevin has developed his imagination into a dangerous foil and a powerful ally. While he antagonizes his sister through his superhero antics on an average Wednesday morning, his ability to escape inside a character's head become critical to his survival after his life is once-again turned upside down a year after his father's death. A mysterious package arrives in the mail, Kevin and his best friend are hunted down by a ruthless villain set upon world domination, and after enlisting Kevin's teenage sister and her pizza-delivery boyfriend in a battle for control over time itself, the secret of Kevin's whole existence is revealed to him by a source we never expected. 

My Thoughts:

Kevin Tobin is your average 12-year-old. He goes to school, harasses his sister and is always causing trouble with his best friend, Tony. Unfortunately, Kevin's father passed away a year earlier in a terrible accident. Since then, Kevin has been getting into far more trouble, especially when he escapes to his imagination and dreams that he is someone else. Almost a year after his father died, Kevin receives a strange package in the mail. When he and Tony start messing around with it, they realize it must be something very dangerous and important. So important, in fact, that it's owner will stop at nothing to get it back. Once they have been discovered to have the object, they are running for their lives.

This book was nothing that I thought it was going to be. I thought it was going to be a quick story about a young boy who uses daydreams to escape his father's death. While that was part of it, there was so much more! Between the covers you find an incredible journey for Kevin, both physical and emotional. Not to mention the non-stop action!

I read the first chapter of Kevin's Point of View while hanging out with my kids at the park. Good thing I stopped when I did because when I sat back down to read more at home I couldn't put it down! I ended up finishing it in one sitting. Kevin was such a likable character. A little crazy, but still hilarious and endearing. I loved his imagination, it reminded me of my own kids and the weird things they come up with. When things start to get tough, Kevin retreats into his imagination and a different character will emerge, each one having it's own take charge personality.

Besides Kevin, the rest of the characters are equally entertaining. I especially enjoyed Scratch the pizza dude. I couldn't stop imagining him to sound like Keanu Reeves in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Each character brings a certain quality to the story, even the bad guys!

Most of the story takes place in the mountains and Shannon really gives you a great description of them. Not incredibly descriptive and drawn out, but all you need to imagine the surroundings for yourself. I could picture each scene in my mind clearly.

This book really blew me away. It was funny, yet intense, and incredibly well written with some surprising twists and turns that you don't expect. Not to mention the fun cover! Go get yourself a copy of Kevin's Point of View and start reading. You won't be disappointed!!!





*I received a copy of this book for free, in exchange for my honest opinion. This did not influence by opinion in any way and all views and opinions expressed are 100% my own.