Title: The Guide
Author: Justin Chandler
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 978-1522791560
Pages: 324
Genre: Young Adult
Reviewed by: Krista Schnee
Buy on Amazon
Pacific Book Review
Nicholas certainly knew one thing: he did not need Garron as his Guide. Nick had watched his friends go through this mentoring process, and they had gradually become studious, driven, and well-mannered. Honestly, he found them to be a bit boring after this transformation, which only heightened his suspicions of this stranger. Garron, sophisticated and self-assured, was his total opposite. Nick didn’t want to be controlled, and surrendering to the guiding process would not happen easily.As Garron provides Nick with various life lessons and disciplines, he becomes curious about his Guide. Nick, a smart and capable young man, becomes determined to discover the truth about his new mentor as well as the program. There seem to be too many coincidences in Garron’s interactions with his family and teachers for Nick to simply accept those lessons and learn from Garron. Indeed, the Guide seems to fit in too well in those areas of Nick’s life where he himself refuses to do what is expected. These observations, along with his friends’ changed behavior, lead him to investigate Garron and find the truth about this charismatic man.
Through serious and often creative investigation of Garron and the mentoring program, Nick discovers a shocking truth. The Guides are actually their future selves sent into the past to direct their lives to produce a better future. Garron’s initial lesson that Nicholas must “Know Thyself” takes on a whole new meaning with this revelation, prompting him to question his own teenage rebellion and lack of future goals. When a menacing Guide arrives at the school with very selfish aims for the mentoring program, Nick must assist Garron in fighting to block these nefarious plans.
In The Guide, Justin Chandler provides readers with a unique coming of age story, one that is insightful as well as a fun read. At the very least, Chandler’s book is an exciting, well-paced Young Adult novel, one that includes a good balance of action, science fiction elements, and character development. Going deeper, though, one finds a compassionate view of teenage rebellion and philosophical questions appropriate for this stage of life. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the novel is that through its focus on the mentoring program and its description of many of Garron’s often practical lessons, this novel could possibly teach younger readers while it entertains them.
Justin Chandler brings to his writing a knowledge of educating junior high school students, and it certainly comes through in his new book, The Guide. The novel is one that will appeal to students—and certainly their teachers and parents—who want a fun read that includes a depth that is not seen in too many books written for this age group. Although the book is written for younger teenagers, it will be sure to appeal to adults as well, giving them a quick read and possibly some ideas for mentoring methods. Justin Chandler’s debut novel, The Guide, is a valuable addition to any reader’s library. It will be sure to delight and inspire readers of all ages.
