REVIEW: Scrawl

[Laura Bychowski]

Scrawl by Mark Shulman
Wow. Finally, a book worth keeping in the dust jacket and on a special place on the book shelf.
Scrawl is a novel told in the first person by high school delinquent Tod Munn. Tod is sentenced to daily, after-school detention where he is forced to write in a journal read only by the school guidance counselor. Through his journal we learn about Tod’s pessimistic, yet comedic, view of his life and discover his hidden strengths as a writer. Around the episodes of violence and thievery, Tod finds himself caught between his obligation to mend costumes for creepy, school-renowned artist Luz and his efforts to maintain the tough image which keeps his “droogs”, Rex and Rob, in line. An exceedingly strong character, Tod is intelligent and insightful to the point that it is too easy to forget that he’s a bully and that the book is not A Clockwork Orange.

Scrawl is well suited for young adults. The perspective, 99 percent from teenage Tod Munn, 1 percent notes from the guidance counselor, is relatable for students still in high school and reminiscent for anyone older. Although his work is being read by an adult, Tod is allowed to write however he wants to (his character wouldn’t have it any other way) and his actions, most illegal or private, are completely unmonitored by adults. Even when under the watchful eyes of teachers and security guards Tod refuses to conform to any “acceptable” behaviors. Roughly 230 pages, the book is still a fast read as Tod chooses only to recount events he deems interesting enough to write down. The novel is an interesting genre as a journal written by an otherwise unwilling journalist. Every character is categorized by social group and income bracket, with wide ranges of both categories, but race is never even brought up, perhaps in an effort to make the story more relatable. The story is optimistic in its defense of a character that is endlessly misunderstood and finally catches a break by the end of the story. The main emotion relevant to young adults is the unique mixture of pride and insecurity which comes with finding and defending your true character.

Here’s a great link to an interview with the author DIRECTLY DISCUSSING YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE!
http://janasbooklist.blogspot.com/2010/11/interview-with-scrawl-aut...

If it’s not completely obvious by this point, I loved this book. I recommend it to anyone over 14 (for explicit descriptions of violence and vandalism), especially those who spent high school at the bottom of the social ladder looking up. Despite the negative depictions of teachers there are redeemable, relatable adults and authority figures. The usually consequence free, aggressive or illegal behaviors are countered by a few serious consequences which the protagonist takes to heart. Tod rarely engages in illegal activities without legitimate reasons. That being said, this book is not very appropriate for the classroom, for all the best reasons, as well as lacking elements relating to conventional classroom topics. Perfect leisure reading for young adults looking for a voice to articulate their frustrations with the institution which reminds them so much of prison.