The Taking of Room 114

Mel Glenn

Dutton Juvenile, 1997

Genres: Poetry, Mystery, Suspense
Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)
Pages: 192

Summary:

This story is written in free form poetry and tells the story of a senior history class that is being held hostage by their teacher. Each of the student's stories are told through creative poems, and the story is riddled with doubts concerning the mysterious room 114.

Reaction:

The poetry was gripping to me, and it helped set the tone of the story. I liked the way that the author profiled all of the different students in the class, giving us a glimpse into mixed up world of high school. It's a good book for mature high school age teens interested in understanding different backgrounds of their fellow students.

Cautionary Note:

Some language and Sexual content. The teacher is also armed and crazy, but nothing graphic is described.