Book Review: The Long Wait for Tomorrow by Joaquin Dorfman

The Long Wait for Tomorrow
by Joaquin Dorfman
Non-series

Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-84694-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-84694-6
Publication Date: September, 2009
List Price: $16.99

Review: Action, drama, jokes, wonders, & happiness! A Long Wait for Tomorrow , by Joaquin Dorfman is filled with emotion, realistic problems that need to be solved, & three young teenagers just trying to figure out life. Patrick is the designated driver, the eagle taking children under his wing and trying to fly them in a new direction, & the one who is in love with his best friend’s girlfriend, Jenna. Jenna is the head cheerleader who parties hard, lives life, and has fun! Kelly McDermott, Jenna’s boyfriend is the quarterback for his school, and the bully trying hard to become a better person.

Kelly McDermott, Jenna, and Patrick had just gotten accepted into Ohio State University. So that night they go out to celebrate, and Kelly has a little too much to drink. He wakes up the next morning hung over thinking that he is living 20 years in the past, but doesn’t know how to prove it! So he decides to go to Eddy who is nice and educated, but who is also the victim of most of the fights and asks for his help. Edmund (Eddy) has to think hard about helping Kelly, considering the fact that all Kelly does is beat him up, but he decides to help him anyway. Eddy tells Kelly that he believes Kelly’s mind is traveling through time, not him. Prom night arrives, supposedly the best night of kids’ lives, but not for one of them who must face guns, bullying, and verbal abuse. Someone’s life is ending, but whose?

I like how the book really makes you feel alive, a part of the characters’ lives. Also the book is VERY specific. For instance, a fight is going on, and Joaquin Dorfman is describing how it feels, and looks to be there. “Close body blows, arms a tangle as they continued to shoot through there clenched teeth.” With the detail, and action used in the sentence I feel like I am standing there witnessing the fight! I also like how the book can be brought to real life - there’s drama, fights, proms, relationships, and parties. But there are some cons, the language in the book is not quite appropriate for my age (a sixth grader). Also the underage drinking and the action is not appropriate, because not all kids may be able to understand what is going on. But over all, this book was the best book I’ve ever read. I hope Joaquin Dorfman will soon be writing another fantastic book!

Review written by Briana (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Long Wait for Tomorrow for this review.

Have you read The Long Wait for Tomorrow? How would you rate it?