The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon In 8th grade, one bored teenager set a classmate's gym uniform on fire. Scared when the fire went out of control, he stuffed it in a locker. Scared that he'd be cought and expelled, not wanting to face a hostile world, he set himself on fire. He then spent a few months in a hospital, recovering, then some time in a special school, then an out-patient, and finally went back to hospital. During that time, he got to meet with celebrities and learn a little about himself and the world.
But he didn't really learn enough; the character development throughout the book is weak. This is an autobiography, therefore nonfiction. I didn't realize that until I was more than half way through the book, because so many parts seem unrealistic. For example, Brent's parents never worry about money, despite the fact that his treatments must have cost half a million dollars at the very least. Also, that he was released without a good accounting of his suicide attempt wouldn't be legal here in Illinois, and the therapy is somewhat skimpy compared to what I've seen. And Brent himself has thoughts which are not terribly grounded in reality. The cover is a picture of a matchbox.
Question: Should celebrities visit injured kids if the injury was at their own hands?
Happy reading.
