Shut Up (True-to-Life Series from Hamilton High Book 10)

Everything was fine.

I truly love the way that marilyn Reynolds writes. She is Amazing. She can capture a character so well by her dialogue. And make you love and hate the story. Any reader... Give this a shot. You won't be disappointed.

Highly recommend!!! This book brought me to tear! And person with a heart will cry but respect this book!!!!! Awesome

Author Marilyn Reynolds’ book Shut Up is a gripping story through the eyes of 17-year-old Mario Barajas who is left in charge of his younger brother Eddie after his mother is sent to Iraq.Mario and Eddie are transferred under the watch of their aunt and her boyfriend, but tension grows immediately between Mario and their new caretaker. Any resemblance of tranquility and cordialness crashes when Mario finds the aunt’s boyfriend molesting Eddie. The story unfolds with Mario fighting the internal struggle between finding security and justice for his little brother and preventing foster care separation with their mother in the National Guard.Marilyn Reynolds tackles the sensitive subject of sexual assault through the eyes of a growing adolescent. Readers see the emotional and psychological effects of a child being physically and sexually abused by a man with an extension to the family. The author effectively characterized the subtle changes in his demeanor as well as the external burden Eddie carries following the incidents.Reynolds shines in her ability to locking in with her readers with an emotionally captivating timeline with Each line flowing proficiently into the last. The author also intriguingly combines thematic elements with bite-size vocabulary. There is an overt sense of ignorance in a few of the characters, which will likely leave some readers infuriated amid a tense situation.But overall, it’s a compelling book that touches on uncomfortable, but important themes regarding sexual assault, child and teen psychology, responsibility, and security and a recommend read for those who can stomach it.

Author Marilyn Reynolds’ book Shut Up is a gripping story about 17-year-old Mario Barajas, who is left in charge with Eddie, his 10-year-old brother, after his mother, Max, is sent to Iraq. Max leaves Mario and Eddie with her erratic sister Carmen and her stout boyfriend Denton.Tension grows between Max and his aunt, as Carmen becomes increasingly defiant that he is a troubled teen and a poor influence on his little brother. Meanwhile, Eddie’s usual kid-like, playful demeanor has slowly dissolved into a more reserved behavior.The rising build of skepticism boils over when Mario catches Denton molesting Eddie in Carmen’s house while she is away. Mario battles finding security for Eddie and justice for Denton and preventing foster care separation between him and his little brother.Denton convinces Carmen that Mario is a detriment to Eddie. Carmen subsequently kicks out Mario while planning to keep Eddie. Mario, in turn, takes Eddie and travels long-distance to meet more understanding relatives.The story unfolds as Carmen and Denton track Mario and Eddie miles away as the tug-of-war between a child’s dwindling innocence is at stake.Marilyn Reynolds tackles the sensitive subject of sexual assault through the eyes of a growing adolescent. Readers see the emotional and psychological effects of a child being physically and sexually abused by a man with an extension to the family. The author effectively characterized the subtle changes in his demeanor as well as the external burden Eddie carries following the incidents.Readers also see a maturation of the lead protagonist as Mario begins to transition into survival mode for the sake of his younger brother.Reynolds shines in her ability to locking in with her readers with an emotionally captivating timeline. Each chapter proficiently flows from the last into the next without much interruption in sequence or suspense. It is a relatively easy read as it is read like a recollection of a 17-year-old.If there is one major gripe about Shut Up, it would be the overt ignorance in some of the characters. Carmen is an adult that is completely unaware and unwilling to enthrall herself in the other side of the story. Mario’s girlfriend breaks up with him because he is too busy saving his younger brother from molestation. Ultimately, she tearfully says that she just wants to have a good senior year, which would be an unacceptable, irrational response for an active love interest.Overall, it’s a compelling book that touches on the dark and uncomfortable, but important themes regarding sexual assault, child and teen psychology, responsibility, and security.

This book is about 2 brothers, and their mom went off to Iraq. In the story they have to stay with an aunt, who's relationships are over the board. Their aunt had a boyfriend, who at the beginning seemed really nice. He would take the youngest of the brothers out to play basketball, to the store. Eddie seemed to enjoy going out with Denton, but all of a sudden Mario notices that Eddie changes he becomes more quite and reserved, he doesn't even laugh at Marios farts anymore, and he doesn't even draw the same anymore. One day Mario comes home to find that Denton is abusing Eddie.

Probably the most skillfully crafted, carefully researched and heartbreaking book I have read in a long time. Each character is essential to the telling of the story. Nevertheless, however grim and truthful the story is, it will also be helpful to someone who HAS to read it. That reader will be grateful for the kind and hopeful ending. I shall recommend this book whenever I can. Betty Hyland, Reston VA

I personally think this book is well said. It really tells a way on how people think of a way to help their loved ones with out hurting ones personal feelings. I understand that a secret is important when it comes to siblings; but if it has to do with ones health or dangerous harm it's best to speak out.