The Dark Side of Nowhere

Author: Neal Shusterman
Title: The Dark Side of Nowhere1
Publication Date: 1996
Number of Pages: 192
Genre: YA/ Sci-Fi
Synopsis: "Jason Miller feels trapped in the small town of Billington — where nothing ever happens. But when his friend Ethan dies of what the doctor calls a burst appendix, Jason's life changes forever. First he is given a mysterious glove that can shoot pellets with deadly force. Then he learns that the monthly shots he gets from the friendly town doctor are not for his health but for a far more sinister purpose. As he peels away layer after layer of the lies he's been told, Jason comes to learn of his own true nature."

One of the things that I enjoy the most is re-reading an old favorite of mine that I haven't read in quite awhile. And The Dark Side of Nowhere just so happens to be one of those.
The reason I decided to re-read The Dark Side of Nowhere would have to be that for some reason I never forgot the title of the book, plus I could barely remember how the book ended. While it was still a great read, it's not one that I am going to go out of my way to buy a copy for myself.
One of the things that interested me the most about this book would have to be how Jason never questioned the reason why he, his family, and certain of his friends had to get what they called they're "Monthlies"2, until he found out that not everyone in their small town got them. Which happens to be after his friend Ethan dies from appendicitis.
My favorite part of the book would have to be when Jason turns traitor to those who are like him, and later when he finds out that his parents did. Or should I say what they didn't do.
My least favorite part of the book would have to be when his "church group" cleaned up Old Town and made it into a compound and they began isolating themselves from the rest of the town.
There's so much more I could say about The Dark Side of Nowhere, but I know that it would definitely give away the obvious twist to the book.
The Dark Side of Nowhere is a great read, with fairly interesting characters, and is well written with an interesting plot and story.

The Dark Side of Nowhere earns 4 out of 5 pineapples.

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1. The Dark Side of Nowhere was borrowed from the library.
2. "Monthlies" are the shots that Jason and his family and friends recieved