Graffiti Isn't For Kids
Have you ever done something you've regretted? It's happened to most of us, and certainly to Tyler Miller in Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. In the story, he gets caught spraying graffiti on Washington's school walls and lands himself on probation for six months. In addition, his grades have one foot in the grave and his father is unemployed. A major theme in this book is that love can cushion the fall of regret because although Tyler greatly regrets what he has done, he still takes solace in the fact that people like his sister Hannah and this best friend Calvin still love and accept him.
First off, there's Bethany Milbury, queen bee of Washington High and Tyler's secret crush. At the beginning of the book, he was the kind of person that faded into the background, that high school nerd who spent way too much time playing Pokémon. But after he sprayed the graffiti---and got in trouble for it---he became the buzz of the school. His new "Danger Guy" status attracts Bethany's attention and, eventually, wins her love. After Tyler does so, he feels fulfilled despite what he had done. He knew that Bethany didn't care what he did---she loved him unconditionally.
Second, there's Tyler's best friend, Calvin "Yoda" Hodges. Ever since they met in 5th grade, they did everything together---including being bullied. Before Tyler's deed, he and Calvin would be picked on a lot. They were chased home from school every day, pounded against lockers for their lunch money, and had their faces flushed into toilets. Although Tyler went through a lot of suffering in the past, he takes comfort in the fact that he wasn't alone.
Finally, there's his sister, Hannah. Having two brothers myself, I can relate---siblings fight a lot. But deep down inside, they love each other like the siblings that they are. When Tyler sprayed his graffiti, Hannah did get a little mad. Besides, who wouldn't?
But, like Hannah and Calvin, she still accepted and loved Tyler despite it.
All in all, Twisted is a story about fulfillment through forgiveness. Tyler, who was once ashamed and regretful, is hopeful and optimistic at the end of the book. Through love and acceptance, others forgave him and Tyler learned to forgive himself.
First off, there's Bethany Milbury, queen bee of Washington High and Tyler's secret crush. At the beginning of the book, he was the kind of person that faded into the background, that high school nerd who spent way too much time playing Pokémon. But after he sprayed the graffiti---and got in trouble for it---he became the buzz of the school. His new "Danger Guy" status attracts Bethany's attention and, eventually, wins her love. After Tyler does so, he feels fulfilled despite what he had done. He knew that Bethany didn't care what he did---she loved him unconditionally.
Second, there's Tyler's best friend, Calvin "Yoda" Hodges. Ever since they met in 5th grade, they did everything together---including being bullied. Before Tyler's deed, he and Calvin would be picked on a lot. They were chased home from school every day, pounded against lockers for their lunch money, and had their faces flushed into toilets. Although Tyler went through a lot of suffering in the past, he takes comfort in the fact that he wasn't alone.
Finally, there's his sister, Hannah. Having two brothers myself, I can relate---siblings fight a lot. But deep down inside, they love each other like the siblings that they are. When Tyler sprayed his graffiti, Hannah did get a little mad. Besides, who wouldn't?
But, like Hannah and Calvin, she still accepted and loved Tyler despite it.
All in all, Twisted is a story about fulfillment through forgiveness. Tyler, who was once ashamed and regretful, is hopeful and optimistic at the end of the book. Through love and acceptance, others forgave him and Tyler learned to forgive himself.
