Plot Summary

The Rag and Bone Shop

Robert Cormier
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The Rag and Bone Shop

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2001

Book Brief

Robert Cormier

The Rag and Bone Shop

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2001
Book Details
Pages

176

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Massachusetts • Contemporary

Publication Year

2001

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-17 years

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Super Short Summary

In Robert Cormier's The Rag and Bone Shop, 12-year-old Jason Dorrant becomes a prime suspect in the murder of seven-year-old Alicia Bartlett. Interrogator Trent uses manipulative tactics to coerce Jason into a false confession. Eventually, the true murderer is discovered, leaving both Jason and Trent to grapple with the consequences of Trent's unethical interrogation. The novel includes themes of murder and coercion.

Dark

Suspenseful

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

4.1

3,724 ratings

63%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier has elicited mixed reviews. Praised for its intense and gripping narrative, it captivates readers with psychological depth and moral complexity. However, some critique the book’s bleak tone and abrupt ending. While the compelling storyline engages, the dark themes may not appeal to all. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Rag and Bone Shop?

A reader who enjoys psychologically intense and thought-provoking novels like Lord of the Flies by William Golding or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee would find The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier captivating. This book appeals to those who appreciate moral ambiguity and complex character development while exploring dark themes.

4.1

3,724 ratings

63%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

176

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Massachusetts • Contemporary

Publication Year

2001

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-17 years

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