The Keeper

The Keeper. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. New York; Bantam Books. 182 pages
Nick Karpinsky is living an average teenager’s life. He has friends and a loving family. His mother teaches piano lessons and his father used to work at an insurance company. All of a sudden, one day out of the blue, Jacob, Nick’s father, doesn’t report to work. He stays home all the rime and never leaves. Nick and his mother know something is wrong, but they don’t do anything right away. One day one of Jacob’s coworkers brings Jacob’s belongings back to him. When Nick finds this out he goes to his father to see what is going on. His father tells him that the communists are out to get him. Nick offers help, and Jacob declines the help because he doesn’t want Nick to get involved. Nick and his mother now know that Jacob is mentally ill. Once they admit this fact thing get worse by the minute.
THE KEEPER is a confusing book to begin with, but once you get into it, it is very interesting. This book contains many instances where Jacob’s family fears for his life. I would highly recommend this book to someone who enjoys fiction. This book focuses on the audience of teens who need to understand the circumstances under which a friend might live. Nick really lets his father’s problems get to him at school and while he is with friends. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate this book a seven.
Reviewed by Chance.