Title: Panic
Author: Sharon M. Draper
First published March 12, 2013
272 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781442408968 (ISBN10: 1442408960)
Rating: 3.51
Overview
Sharon Draper’s Panic is a heart-wrenching tale that reminds us that a single bad decision can change our entire lives. Diamond always knew that getting into a stranger’s car is a terrible idea, but when a well-dressed and charming man offers her a ride, she ignores her gut feeling.
The man claims to be on his way to cast a movie and is in dire need of a star dancer. Diamond’s dream of becoming a dancer takes over, and she agrees to go with him.
Little did she know that her life would turn into a nightmare. Diamond is kidnapped and held captive, subjected to unimaginable horrors.
Her family and friends are left in agony, hoping for her safe return. Panic is a haunting exploration of power, revealing how quickly we can lose it, and the lengths we must go to regain it.
About the Author
Sharon M. Draper is not just a writer, but also a professional educator.
Her achievements include being named National Teacher of the Year and winning the Coretta Scott King Literary Award five times. It’s no surprise that she’s a New York Times bestselling author.
Sharon calls Cincinnati, Ohio her home.
Editoral Review
Sharon M. Draper’s Panic is a compelling, heart-wrenching novel that tackles themes of racial tension, privilege, and mental health.
As a young adult novel, Panic explores the experience of growing up in a world that is not always fair or just. Draper, a renowned educator and award-winning author, brings her signature style of writing that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
The novel is set in a predominantly white high school in the Midwest where the lives of protagonists Diamond and Marcus collide. Diamond is an African American teenager who is determined to succeed and make a better life for herself and her family.
Marcus, on the other hand, is white and comes from privilege. Despite their differences, they both share a deep love and passion for dance.
Their love of dance brings them together, but as they navigate their relationships and the pressures of dance team competitions, they uncover a deeply rooted racism and discrimination within their school and community. Draper’s writing is evocative and engrossing, drawing the reader in from the very first page.
She weaves together different perspectives, including Diamond’s and Marcus’s, to tell a story that is both complex and compelling. The characters are well-drawn and authentic, with their emotional struggles and personal demons laid bare for the reader to see.
One of the strengths of the novel is how Draper handles sensitive issues such as racism and mental health with care and sensitivity. She shows how racism can manifest in different ways, from subtle microaggressions to blatant discrimination.
She also explores the stigma surrounding mental health issues and how they can be exacerbated by social and economic factors. However, Panic is not without its flaws.
At times, the pacing feels uneven, with certain sections of the novel feeling rushed while others drag on. Additionally, some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, with their actions and motivations not always fully explained.
Despite these small quibbles, Panic is a powerful and important novel that deserves to be read widely. It speaks to the challenges and experiences faced by young people today, grappling with issues of race, class, and mental health in a rapidly changing world.
For readers looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel, Panic is the perfect choice. Rating: 4/5 stars.
