Beauty and the Beast retold in high school

Related Content

Last 5 stories in A&E

• 'Stop Laughing' covers serious issues - February 3, 2012
• 'One for the Money' busts into theatres - February 3, 2012
• Lamb of God makes a new resolution - January 26, 2012
• This Means War, a change in tactics - January 26, 2012
• Chuck Palahniuk does it again - January 13, 2012

Other stories that might interest you...

• ‘Gateway’ provides a great read for mystery lovers
• Today’s society has a distorted view on beauty
• There is a difference between skinny and TOO skinny!
• ‘Stop Laughing’ covers serious issues
• ‘Morning Glory’: definitely not “the third worst” movie

Naomi Ellifrit, Reporter
January 28, 2010
Filed under A&E, Book Reviews

“Crazy Beautiful” is a modern retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” by Lauren Baratz-Logsted, based on high school romance and the struggles individuals face: Death, cliques, bullies, isolation and hook hands.

The viewpoint switches through out the story between two sophomores, Lucius Wolfe and Aurora Belle. 

Lucius Wolfe is a fifteen year old boy who just moved into town. His previous home was damaged due to one of his experiments gone wrong. The reaction of his experiment wasn’t what he had expected and the explosion caused him to loose both of his hands.

“I chose hooks because they were cheaper. I chose hooks because I wouldn’t outgrow them so quickly. I chose hooks so that everyone would know I was different, so I would even scare myself.” – Lucius Wolfe

Aurora Belle is also new to the school. She just moved to get a fresh start into her new world without her mother who very recently died of cancer.

Aurora is a beautiful girl who gains relationships the instant she steps onto her bus. She doesn’t speak up much but she is determined to treat everyone nicely and has a desire to know more about the boy in the front of the bus with hooks for hands.

Lucius isn’t accepted by his classmates because of his appearance and is bullied by Jessup Tristian, a sophomore who likes Aurora. Lucius makes friends with the school’s security guard, Nick Greek. A young man in his 20’s who lost his chance with the NFL when he damaged his knee early on.

Aurora steps out from the crowd and attempts to become friends with Lucius despite his differences and what others say about him.

Lucius decides to sign up for the school play, “Greece”, in order to get closer to Aurora. It didn’t really surprise anyone when Aurora got the lead girl part, Sandy, but Lucius hates to see Jessup as the leading guy, Danny.

“Crazy Beautiful” is a well written story portraying a realistic view on high school and young individuals living completely different lives. It also gives the reader an opportunity to see things from someone else’s point of view; even someone that not everyone is eager to know. Many could easily relate to the variety of personalities revealed throughout this book.