BOOK BRIEF

Smack

Melvin Burgess
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Smack

Fiction | Novel | Published in 1999

Book Brief

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Melvin Burgess

Smack

Fiction | Novel | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

293

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Bristol, England • 1980s

Publication Year

1999

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

690L

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Super Short Summary

Smack by Melvin Burgess follows two teenagers who leave home and face the realities of life on the street, including drug addiction and its consequences. The novel portrays their struggles and the harsh environment they encounter, highlighting themes of independence and the search for identity.

Reviews & Readership

4.2

21,661 ratings

68%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Melvin Burgess's Smack receives mixed reviews for its unflinching portrayal of teenage drug addiction. Positively, readers appreciate its raw, honest narrative and complex characters. However, some criticize it for its graphic content and perceived glorification of drug use, making it controversial and intense but undeniably thought-provoking and impactful.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Smack?

A reader who would enjoy Smack by Melvin Burgess is likely a teenager or young adult interested in gritty, realistic portrayals of adolescence. This reader has a taste for intense, emotionally charged narratives similar to Ellen Hopkins's Crank or Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why and appreciates complex stories about youth overcoming addiction and hardship.

4.2

21,661 ratings

68%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

293

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Bristol, England • 1980s

Publication Year

1999

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

690L

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