If life were fair, all children would have parents that loved and cared for them. Parents that helped them with their homework, made sure they had good food, and who listened to their troubles. Unfortunately, the world does not work that way. Many children’s mothers or fathers or both are drunkards, abusers, neglecters, and they just don’t care about their young ones.

Author C. Lee McKenzie’s YA novel, DOUBLE NEGATIVE, is the story of sixteen-year-old Hutch McQueen, one of the kids that gets by the best he can without the support of his parents. Hutch’s story will have you crying, wanting to shake some sense into him, and wishing you could help the boy all at the same time. At least it did me. He’s not a bad kid; he just does dumb things, like many teens. He has a lot of decisions to make, decisions that will affect his future. Will he listen to his true friends and make the right choices? In Hutch, C. Lee McKenzie has created a character that many young readers will likely relate to. He’s tough and uncaring on the outside, but inside he wants family and friends. When he’s given a chance to change his life, will he take it or will he end up like many of his friends, either dead or in prison?

Every high school, college, and public library should have a copy of DOUBLE NEGATIVE because, sadly, the novel is so true to life. We read about these teens in the newspapers every day. I think that Hutch’s story will stay with you for a long time as you wonder if teens like Hutch and the other characters can be helped, or are they beyond hope.

An ARC of the book was provided by the author for my honest review. ( )