The Knife of Never Letting Go

Ness, P. (2008). The knife of never letting go. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.

Summary:

 In the book The knife of never letting go, the main character is a courageous 13 year old boy named Todd who lives in Prentisstown with his dog Manchee.  In this town teens become “men” when they commit a horrendous violent act.  This town is far from strange because they are no women around.  He resides with his foster parents because Todd’s parents were killed by the “Spackle.”  Everyone has access to everyone’s thoughts thanks to a indescribable germ.  During his journey to escape and not committing a hostile violent act he stumbles upon a girl named Viola whose spaceship crashed while coming from the Old World.  Todd and Viola go through many obstacles while fleeing the town.  At the end Todd and Viola make a church in haven.

Strengths/Textbook: 

This books recommended audience is readers ages 14 and up. This is a series with parts two and three.  Part Two is “The Ask and the Answer, Part Three Monsters of Men.  This particular book meets the social developmental criteria because the novel deals with moral development.  Todd’s upbringing in a society of violence is told the truth about Prentisstown.  He yearns for “normality” and tries to protect his purity while trying to resist the temptations that everyone around him wants him to partake in.

Awards:

Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production 2011

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