00013978

Han Nolan is another author who is one of the best writing for young adult readers. This emotional novel about fifteen-year-old Jason whose mother is dead and whose father is debilitated by mental illness. He copes through three imaginary friends and through real friends he makes when he joins a therapy group at school whose members are also coping with losses and tragedies. The provide a strong support system for Jason who faces terrifying decisions and personal demons. A frequently painful, sometimes humorous story of friendship, loss, and forgiveness. ( )

Jason is dealing with a lot. His dad has a mental illness. His mom has died. He had a tramatic experience when he was young. These events would be hard for anyone to carry around much less a teenager trying to cope with high school. He is forced to join a lunch support group who ends up being his helping hands.

The writing is a little chaotic to get use to at first but over all it's a good read. I think anyone can relate to Jason struggles in life and maybe realize that everyone has their own way of dealing. ( )

Jason is dealing with the overwhelming loss of his mother, the glue who held their small family together. His father is mentally ill, and imagines himself in the time of the Greek heroes. Jason copes by making himself invisible; and by listening to the voices in his head, but worries that he too is losing his grip on sanity. When Jason is forced to attend lunchtime counselling sessions at school, his coping mechanisms are challenged.
This book is intense, gritty, gripping and at times very funny. Highly recommended. ( )

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Memories from before his mother died and before his father went crazy are the only things keeping Jason going, but his grasp on reality may be slipping. A cast of characters inhabit his mind; their voices constantly whisper commentary on his every thought and action.

Jason's life is a complicated mess. He's trying to keep up his grades, write for the advice column of the school newspaper, and keep an eye on his father. It had always been his mother's responsibility to keep track of his father's erratic behavior, but she's gone. Now, Jason is in charge of damage control when his father dons his Greek war helmet as he rants and raves against the Furies who he believes killed his wife and are out to destroy him.

The stress of juggling both his own life and his father's has Jason talking to the voices in his own mind. Giving him advice, criticism, and sometimes comfort are characters named Crazy Glue, Fat Bald Guy with a Mustache, Aunt Bee, Sexy Lady, and Laugh Track. They are his only "friends" - until he joins a therapy group at school and finds he does have other people who are there to provide support and encouragement.

It is not easy for Jason to open up to strangers, but when his fellow group members pitch in to help when it is revealed that his father has stolen a multi-million dollar violin, Jason learns the true value of friendship. When things get so bad that his only recourse is to admit his father needs medical help, his new friends continue to cheer him on.

CRAZY is the story of a young teen's struggle to keep together what's left of his family. Author Han Nolan uses the unique voices in Jason's head to vividly portray the emotional torment he experiences as he watches his own father crumbling before him. Readers will come to know and love Jason and admire his courage and determination to hold it all together under unbearable circumstances. ( )