Tweaked

By Katherine Holubitsky

Sixteen-year-old Gordie Jessup is a good kid but he's living a nightmare. His eighteen-year-old brother Chase's two-year addiction to crystal meth has left their family emotionally and financially drained. And just when Gordie thinks he can no longer stand the manipulating, the lying and the stealing, things get even worse. Chase is arrested for aggravated assault, released on bail and sent home to his family. But his dealers are after him and Chase appeals to Gordie for help. Gordie, disgusted with his brother and fully aware that it's a gamble, risks everything he has in the hope of bringing his family some peace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
• Release date: Mar 1, 2008
• ISBN: 9781551438535

Katherine Holubitsky

Katherine Holubitsky's first novel, Alone at Ninety Foot, (Orca Book Publishers), won the CLA Book of the Year for Young Adults and the IODE Violet Downey Book Award. She has also written Last Summer in Agatha, The Hippie House and The Mountain that Walked, all published by Orca. Katherine lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

Reviews for Tweaked

[erlangerfactionless · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was so... depressing. Alarmingly realistic depiction of living with drug addiction. If you've ever had a family member or friend with a serious drug addiction problem, you'll understand this story all too well. If not, you will understand how addictions are such destructive forces, not just for the people who do the drugs. It did feel a bit didactic at times, but overall, it was a good, if not pleasant, read.

[kreierso_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Told from Gordie's point of view readers will be drawn in as sixteen year old Gordie deals with his first love, his brothers meth addiction and the catastophe the addiction brings to his family. 

[cardcatalogue · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Tweaked" is a powerful novel that deals with many significant issues. I was gripped by the story and devoured it in one sitting. The story was humorous at times, and almost always heart-breaking. Gordie struggles to deal with his older brother's drug addictions and the poor choices he makes on his path of self-destruction. Even without similar experiences, the reader can identify with Gordie and feel his disappointment, anger, and pain.

[cvosshans · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you have ever had to deal with a friend or family member who suffers from an addiction, this book might seem very familiar to you. The prominent theme of drug addiction and its negative (and devastating) affects on the family is felt throughout the book. Gordie has to deal with a lot as the brother of an addict - it is amazing he turns out as well as he does. This book might appeal to teen readers, those who have faced addiction, and those who are currently dealing with the aftermath of losing a sibling to addiction. Full of heartache, drama, suspense and despair, this book packs a lot into 179 pages.