Chinese Handcuffs

Crutcher, Chris. (1989). Chinese Handcuffs, New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

Summary: Right away you are thrown into serious situations, dealing with suicide, sexual abuse, and teen pregnancy. As the story goes on, the reader encounters these harsh realities that surround the three main characters, Dillon, Jennifer (the star basketball player), and Stacey. Not only is Dillon dealing with the suicide of his brother but also dealing with his love of Stacey (his brother’s girlfriend). He later finds out a mysterious fact about her. He loves Stacey but also has a thing for Jennifer. She eventually opens up to him and shares her deepest secret.

Rationale for Selection: I was told that Chris Crutcher was a great author, with great books that appealed to boys. This was a great chance to read one of these books.

Reader Response: Personally I find myself to be very old fashioned and a bit naïve to what is really out there in the world. This book forces the reader to see the harsh realities and live with these characters as they take these situations they are dealt and handle them. As a reader, you are able to relate because they don’t miraculously get through the problems; they struggle through and really show their humanness qualities.

Genre and Themes: Fiction, Suicide/Sexual Abuse/Teen Pregnancy

Teaching Thinking notes: This book is full of so much heavy topics that at most times are hard to discuss with teens. This book allows for an opportunity to discuss these topics. As the students read the book, they can see how the characters deal with the realities, while in class the discussion can be about some other ways these situations can be handled. Depending on the maturity of the class, the class can be divided into groups addressing each of the different topics. They can do research about the different topics discussed in the book. They can then present the issue, some facts, and ways to resolve or help the situations.