School
Library Journal (starred review): "A
challenging and ...compelling story of an abused teenager who fights a
heroic battle to deal with his mother's death and to survive the
mistreatment of one of the most vicious stepmothers in all of
literature...a well-written book
Booklist:
"It is the unusual language which
gives the story its power: the words evoke stinging layers of hurt and
the galling horror of abuse, as well as the courage, hope, tenacity
needed to survive and escape."
Hornbook:
"A memorable,
challenging look at a disturbed abused adolescent...a powerful story of
desperation and survival."
Notes
from the Windowsill: 
"This
fascinating, compelling novel well repays the initial effort of
deciphering it. Julian's
strange writing--not that difficult once you've gotten the hang of
it--gives us the story in tantalizing bites, becoming more and more
revealing as he slowly conquers his need to distort his own words...this
is a brilliant portrait of a troubled person, and of the ways even a
troubled person can find to help himself--perhaps the strongest part of
the portrait is that despite everything, Julian is far from helpless.
The ending is especially insightful, offering hope for Julian's survival
without denying the damage that may
never be healed."
Kirkus
Reviews: "With
an inventive vision, Deem present a hard-edged tale of abuse and
recovery."
VOYA:
"A special read, well worth the
effort."
Adult
and Child: "In
3 NBs of Julian Drew, by James Deem, the title character is an
abused teen boy so terrorized he can only communicate his true feelings
in code. In his NBs (notebooks), Julian writes about his mentally ill
stepmother, who has chosen him as the family scapegoat, his neglectful
father, and his four siblings.
The rest of the family is subject to the woman's peculiar,
penny-pinching ways, but Julian is the only one starved, humiliated, and
locked away in the garage.
Julian 70V3s (loves) his real M (mother), and dedicates his NBs to her.
He 4AT3s (hates) his "stepnother" and wonders whether
to K177 (kill) her or himself.
Deem challenges the reader to crack this code; no key is offered
for translation.
More than halfway through the book, after Julian has met a caring
teacher, found a job, and befriended a coworker, his code begins to fade
and he is able to state for the world to hear:
I am an abused child.
It is a tribute to Deem's skill that by the time Julian is writing in
clear, easy-to-follow sentences, we already feel we understand him.
The code, maddening at first, becomes clear through context.
3 NBs of Julian Drew begins this way:
"TO25 427WP".
Soon we realize that Julian is writing the date (Tuesday, October
25) and the time (4:27 PM). Read 3 NBs of Julian Drew for the
challenge, and you may find yourself sticking with it for the story,
which is heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful."
(Reviewed by Catherine Atkins)
