In the Middle of the Night - Hardcover

Cormier, Robert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385321589 ISBN 13: 9780385321587

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 1995

Synopsis

The sin of the father will be visited upon the son.

On Halloween, eight years before Denny Colbert was born, his father was involved in a tragic accident that killed twenty-two children. And one of those children can't forget.

Sixteen-year-old Denny just wants to be like other kids his age. But he isn't allowed to have a driver's license or answer the telephone, and his family moves so often that he's always the new kid in school. Then there are the phone calls-they start every October, a week or two before the anniversary. Every year, the ringing of the telephone wakes Denny up in the middle of the night. And every year, his father calmly answers the calls, listening to the angry voice on the other end for several minutes before hanging up. But this Halloween is different -- it's been twenty-five years since the accident. Denny and his mother dread the inevitable phone calls, letters. and newspaper articles. But Denny's father is determined that they are not going to disconnect the phone and they are not going to move again.

When Denny defies his parents one afternoon and answers the telephone, he finds himself drawn into a provocative, and potentially deadly, relationship with the mystery caller -- someone called Lulu -- who haunts his days and nights and may haunt yours.

In this chillingly suspenseful novel, Robert Cormier examines the consequences of a young man's rebellion against his father's past.

About this title

From the Publisher

Eight years before Denny Colbert was born, his father was involved in a tragic accident that killed 22 children. Now Denny is 16, and all he wants is to be like other kids his age. But he isn't allowed to answer the telephone or have a driver's license, and his family is constantly moving from town to town--all because people can't forget what happened long ago.

When Denny defies his parents one afternoon and answers the telephone, he finds himself drawn into a plot for revenge which may prove deadly.

From the Back Cover

We All Fall Down

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

"Again, the inimitable Cormier luridly explores the fouler corners of our spiritual attics." -- Kirkus Reviews, Pointer

"[We All Fall Down] is sure...to find a devoted following among the kids themselves, who will recognize and embrace the authenticity of the achingly awful adolescent world that Cormier has created."

-- School Library Journal, Starred

Tunes for Bears to Dance To

"Compelling...sharp, short, and to the point...it will not be easily forgotten." -- School Library Journal

"In the classic Cormier fashion, the conclusion is unexpected...a thought-provoking story." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Suspenseful storytelling."

-- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Cormier's a compelling storyteller, and the pace is inexorable." -- Booklist

Edition details

• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0385321589
• ISBN 13: 9780385321587
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192