Sheep's Clothing by Josi S. Kilpack

Sheep's_Clothing
Josi S. Kilpack

Suspense
320 pages, softcover
Target Reader: 14+ LDS

Deseret Book
978-1590387467
Release Date: May 2, 2007



From the publisher:

Six children keep Kate and Brad Thompson busy all day, every day. Between work, school, and church activities, there isn't much time for anything else. Having baby number seven might disrupt the family routine, but Kate isn't worried about that. She is worried, however, about her oldest daughter, Jess, who has been more secretive of late. More distant. Kate hopes it's just a phase. Fifteen is a tricky age, after all.

For Jess, being fifteen isn't just tricky, sometimes it feels downright impossible. Between baby-sitting all the time, hating the gymnastics class Mom won't let her quit, and trying to hold onto her best friend now that high school is pulling them in different directions, Jess feels totally overwhelmed, continually misunderstood, and completely alone. Until she meets Emily online.

Emily listens, understands, and gives Jess confidence. Best of all, Emily introduces Jess to her cousin, Colt. Jess can't date yet, but she and Colt can send long, personal e-mails to each other and he understands her better than anyone else in her life.

However, when Jess disappears, it only takes one e-mail for everyone in the Thompson famiy to discover that when it comes to the Internet, things aren't always what they seem...

Sheep's Clothing is a compelling, frighteningly close-to-home novel that realistically portrays the risks of online chatting and the threat of Internet predators.

Read sample chapter.

If your children have access to the Internet, you need to read this book. If those children are over the age of 12, they need to read this book.

I liked the Prologue, which sets the tone and foreshadows events to come. I liked the way Josi started each chapter with e-mails between Jess, Emily and Colt. It was unnerving to see how subtle, yet manipulative those e-mails were—coaxing identifying information from Jess, alienating and isolating her from her parents and friends, and finally, convincing her to break all the rules and meet in real life. The scenes with Jess seemed realistic and right on with the way teens think and feel. I could really empathize with her.

I was less captivated by Kate. We spent a lot of time in Kate's head and there was a lot of "telling" rather than showing of her emotions. I like that to come out in action and dialogue a little more. There were also quite a few errors—typos, cut and paste mistakes, etc. It should have been more closely edited, and for Deseret Book to let these slip through, all I can say is "tsk, tsk."

But even with these annoyances, the concept and plot are great. The characterizations are well developed. I liked the ending. [small spoiler alert] It was a delicate balance between reality (the usual result) and a happy ending (unlikely), but Josi handled it well and it was believable.

I think this is an important read on a timely topic and so I say once again: If your children have access to the Internet, YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK. If those children are over the age of 12, THEY NEED TO READ THIS BOOK.


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Content Ratings

Language: I don't remember any swearing, but there might have been some infrequent, mild words ??

Violence: Internet predator; kidnapping. He kills some of his victims, but it's not described in real time. There is a rape, but it's not described and younger readers will not realize what is happening. Adults will recognize the mild hint.

Drugs/Alcohol:

Immorality: No immorality on the part of the main characters, but the Internet predator is pretty yuckie.

Values/Themes: A cautionary tale; beware chat rooms and trusting people you haven't met in real life.

Age Appropriate: While some of this is tough to read, I think all teens who use the Internet should read it.

Writing Mechanics: Most of the issues were in the editing, not writing.

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