"A perfect example of struggle and aid, loss and love." This novel focuses on the despair of a teenager running in the same circles his parents did. Although he wants to break free from their failures, he finds himself joining them in a slow descent. Hutch, the protagonist, has an inability to read or seek help for any of his problems. He prefers being on his own and letting the pieces fall as they may, until he gets into some serious trouble. Now, he has to attend a meeting with other troubled students and a Priest who shared the same path as them at one point. As Hutch learns the true value of friendship and kindness, his other relationships begin to change. His only friend, which he dubbed 'Fat Nyla', is bullied for being smart and overweight. However, when Hutch begins to learn his true worth and reflect it upon the people in his life, she begins to learn hers too, and reach out for what she truly wants. This book had me gripped from beginning to end. Each character was fascinating, from the Spanish girl who would make oddly sexual comments in class to the boy who had to leave town because his father was getting out of jail. These tiny side characters had so much to offer! The language was spot on, which meant the reader would understand the kind of barriers Hutch had to overcome. This book is worth the buy! It shows an accurate display of struggling kids in the modern era and sends a message that sometimes all you need to do is listen to the people around you.

I really enjoyed this story. At first Hutch seems like the typical bad boy, troubled teen. But as we get to know him, he’s just trying to survive the only way he knows how. The kid has dreams and hope, I think he’s just a little misguided. Once we get through the tough exterior, Hutch becomes a totally different person. You really start to feel for the poor guy once you get to know his real problems. I loved watching him mature as a person while facing such hard circumstances. I was so proud of him during several moments in the second half of the book. Maggie is another incredible character. She is so funny! Whether she was correcting someone’s grammar or scolding someone for their behavior, she had me cracking up several times. She is just so witty and spunky. Maggie also has her own problems that she must face. I really like how Maggie and Hutch end up both needing each other. It was so sweet and unexpected.

Double Negative by C Lee McKenzie is a story about a sixteen year old boy, Hutch McQueen, who's growing up with parents who are apart. His dad is a trucker and his mom is a drunk and possibly a whore. He cannot read well so he has a fellow student that he relies on to read the chapters to him so that he can memorize them for tests. He's also a very good listener. He just wants to pass, nothing over the top. Just to get his parents off of his back. He has made some bad choices in school. I think the choices he made are the choices he was given being raised the way he is. When the parents don't partake in their kids lives, they kind of have to figure it out on their own. And besides, if the parent doesn't care why should he? It engrains them with a different outlook on life and not a good one unfortunately. He leaves his home because he's sick of his mom and there never being any food and only beer in the fridge. So he relies on a good friend of his to stay with which goes sour real fast and he finds himself in even more trouble. He is required to attend a new program called the Youth Intervention Program after hours at his school. The school he can't stand to be at for the eight hours he's supposed to be there. He must go for a period of six months. If he fails to attend, he will be sent to court and suffer the system. What I enjoyed about the story the most is that even though his parents weren't there to help him the anything he had others that come into his life like Father Kerry. He's the leader of the Youth Prevention Program and wants to take Hutch under his wing and let him know that he too had problems when he was a youth. There's also Nyla who also has had a tough life for being bullied for her weight and has no other friends but Hutch. The pivotal moment is when he meets Maggie. Sometimes meeting the right people can change your life! I appreciated how C Lee McKenzie told the story, it felt so real and it's was easy to relate to the characters especially Hutch. Job well done! 4 stars

I wouldn't call Hutch a troubled boy, then rather say he's drowning. A drunk mom who doesn't want him, a dad who's always on the road and teachers who have no clue how to reach him. Hutch just knows that he wants out, but doesn't see the purpose of a high school diploma or doing his best. So far he's been cruising along by listening to the smart people around him and with the help of his friend Nyla. When his friends and his home situation put him in trouble with the law, it seems his streak is over. Given a second and even third chance, Hutch needs to participate in an after school program to get him back on the right track. Not an easy for for a guy who just doesn't care. Still jail is not a place he wants to be, so he goes to the meetings. It's almost strange for Hutch that he slowly gathers people around him that he can rely on and actually demand that he takes responsibility for his future. I really liked the fact that there was no epiphany moment for Hutch. Multiple bad things happen to and around him throughout the book, and it's a slow learning process for him. The fact why he has trouble with school is almost ridiculous. It's something the average person takes for granted, and shows me how effed up reality can be. For the rest is Hutch a regular sixteen-year-old boy, who has no clue when it comes to women. Mostly though I liked how he actually deep down wanted to improve and did care. It just wasn't easy to get to that point. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book and Hutch, a young character with real struggles. Romance certainly takes a backseat, but I didn't mind one bit. The focus on his personal struggles and the troubles around him, were almost refreshing. A story for when you need a break from lovey-dovey romance, with very loveable characters and great depth on all levels. *I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*

I found this book really touched me since I use to work with kids such as Hutch. Those that don’t come from supportive and nurturing homes have never been taught social skills nor had their confidence built. Just like Hutch, they come from families where the father is absent and the mother is abusive. The only thing they learn at home is survival. Hutch was a high school student who faces this kind of home life every day and then goes to high school and struggles with his school work. You see he also has issues with his sight and inability to read. His choices that he makes are usually bad one, landing him in court sessions and risking more than he can afford to lose. At one point his future really only appears to be death or prison but then three angels come to his aid. Father Kerry who used to be a hell raiser in his own youth, is now a reformed man and active priest. He sees what Hutch could become if he would allow someone to guide him and love him. Maggie used to teach school but now deals with her own Alzheimer’s. She wants to teach him to read, to better himself and show him that there is more to him than what he has been told. Then we have Nyla, a girl who is terribly bullied in school. She can help him learn and make good choices if he will protect her from the harm the bullies dish out to her. This is his second chance, but really with the life this kid has been handed, it is more like his first chance. The author writes Hutch’s character in a way that you really feel you are dealing with a teenager, an angry, ignorant, hopeless teenager. It is heartbreaking to see where he is heading especially after realizing he does have people to help. I have to state though, I could never hate him for not trusting these three right away. He comes from an environment that is anything but trustworthy. He is vulnerable to danger due to his eye sight. His knowledge of the world comes from the trials of surviving since his reading is limited. How can we fault him for his mistakes when life set him up to fail? This was a powerful read; one that I really felt connected to and had emotions flowing. I commend the author for bringing such topics to life as she did in this book. Make sure you pay close attention to the scenes discussing the “hushes”, so endearing. The ending was beautiful, yet sad for me. You have to read it to understand but the evolution that the author takes Hutch and each of the characters on is brilliant. They all change and grow in the process of this book. This is one I would recommend to readers but be prepared to feel emotions that will be all over the place and I hope it sparks some desire to reach out to kids like Hutch. Every community has them, each need a Father Kerry, Maggie and Nyla in their corner.

This was a book that was uncomfortable to read. It was uncomfortable because the book tells the story of many teens, but who may not have the opportunities Hutch does. In this book, McKenzie touches on learning disabilities, eating disorders, alcoholism, drugs and more. Despite heavy topics touched on, the story is uplifting. Hutch is going through the normal teenage struggles and feels alone. And just as he reaches his lowest point, he finds the opportunities to make friends and find mentors, albeit begrudgingly. It’s as through these relationships he realizes that the lasting impact his choices on himself and those around him. Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review courtesy of Xpresso Book Tours. Who should read it? Folks looking for a realistic glimpse into the experiences of many underachieving high school students.

I received this book from Xpresso Book Tours as part of their blog tour, in return for a fair and honest review. Wow, this book packs a punch in more ways than one. It is tough and gritty and doesn't spare your feelings as you read through. You will be neck deep in teenage angst, abuse, drugs, body issues, bullying but also friendships, teamwork and mentorship. This book covers it all and in such a way that you won't be able to stop turning the pages. You will need to read "just a little bit more." One thing I will say is that I actually found it quite hard to read at the beginning before I got used to Hutch's 'voice'. I actually found it quite painful which is funny when you're not actually reading it. I was very pleased with him as he started to correct his grammar! As he changes his attitude and takes up 'swimming', I found the book progressed in a wonderful and heartwarming way. His relationship with Maggie in particular brought a tear to my eye on more than one occasion. I thought the whole book dealt with subjects usually swept under the carpet and in a rough, in your face, dignified and respectful manner. Does that sentence not make sense to you? Read Double Negative and it will make perfect sense!

I could tell within pages that this book was pure genius and it only became more apparent the deeper I was pulled into the story. I devoured it as quickly as I could… and now it’s over! :( I wish there was some way that it could be a series, just so I could have more! I have already been perusing the author’s other works, debating over which one to read next. The best part about this book was the progression, not just of the characters, but of the writing style. It literally shifts throughout the book as Hutch grows and changes. Hutch is an easy character to root for, but only because we can see the truth of who he is from the beginning. I can easily imagine how hard it would be for anyone on the outside to get to know him, or even to give him a chance. The secondary characters are just as amazing as Hutch, and the tenuous connections between them all in the beginning strengthen throughout the story. Nyla is probably my favorite, with her soft spoken demeanor and low self esteem. I wanted to protect and encourage her. Along with all the other misguided miscreants! I was pleasantly surprised when this book didn’t degrade into swears, as many teens often have a tendency to fall back on that kind of language. Maybe that makes it not quite believable, since it’s not realistic to think that these kids never swear. BUT it made this book more approachable for parents, and allowed the writing style to shine. I can’t recommend this book enough. <3 A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Double Negative is just amazing. Reading it felt like being on emotional roller-coaster. So this is a story about Hutchinson McQueen and a group of teens who end up in the special program with him. All main characters are underdogs and although 16 years old they have seen and been through enough bad things. Their choices are limited and due to that these kids are forced to make bad choices and moves. No one gave them support in life and once they finally get this support their life changes for good. This story is full of raw emotions, especially anger and hopelessness. But there is also love and hope at the end. All the characters are well written. They are full of flaws and sometimes they are not even very likable. The author wrote them realistically and because of that fore mention emotions are so palpable. But what I like the most is that although this story deals with all the ugliness of life it has a positive ending. The message is that everybody needs a sense of purpose and that a push in right direction can be a lifesaving one. I highly recommend this story foremost to all who are working with teens and children. Synopsis: 16

Double Negative held me spellbound as I followed the journey of Hutch and his teen companions. They have fallen between the cracks due to failed parents and society. We see it all from the viewpoint of Hutch, who is barely surviving. Only the tenacity of an outsider can change their lives, but they have to want to change. I enjoyed the slow pace and patience Father Kerry displayed. The character of Maggie was incredible. Great read, full of teen angst, and real life hero's.

I just finished Double Negative five minutes ago, and now I'm sorting through that after the book "wow" moment. C. Lee Mckenzie knows how to portray real people with real problems in real conversations and situations in a way that reels readers in and then takes them on an incredibly journey of the heart and mind. Hutch is a gritty, attitude-filled teen with problems. At first, I was hesitant to go on a journey with him. He's tough and almost unlikeable until he shows his heart of gold underneath all the mess of his life. He's worth the chances given to him, and his friends, some of whom seem completely unlikeable at first, are worth those chances too. I loved this story of heartache and triumph. The relationships and the characters leapt off the pages and wound their way into my imagination. Double Negative tackles issues like drug use, language use, drunk and abusive parenting, death, love, friendship, trust, bullying, and illiteracy.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This is such a wonderful read. Hutch McQueen is the type of reader I want to hug at one moment and then talk some sense into the next. He hasn’t had it easy and on top of that, he’s going through all the stuff teens go through. And he feels alone. However right when he reaches his lowest point, he starts to make friends and to find mentors. Through these relationships he finds out he matters and that the choices he makes will affect the rest of his life. The question is: will he make the right ones? Read this charming story to find out. This is the first book I've read by this author and she won me over completely. I can't wait to read more by her.

Everybody knows how much I like C. Lee McKenzie. The 1st one I read, The Princess of Las Pulgas, was great. The 2nd one, Sliding on the Edge, wasn't far behind. And now we have Double Negative. And speaking of negative, if I tell you that it's my least favorite of the 3, don't take that the wrong way. I still liked it quite a bit. Lee is in that fairly slim category of authors for me where I like all of their work. And in a situation like that, obviously you will have your favorites. So now that I'm done with my mea culpa, let Goodreads give you Double Negative's storyline. "My life was going, going, gone, and I hadn't been laid yet. I couldn't go into the slammer before that happened." Hutch McQueen. Sixteen-year-old Hutchinson McQueen is trapped in a dysfunctional family. Shackled by poor vision and poor reading skills, he squeaks through classes with his talent for eavesdropping and memorizing what he hears. After another suspension from school and suffering through one of his mother’s violent attacks, he escapes to a friend’s house that turns out to be a meth lab. The lab is raided and Hutch lands in juvenile detention. When the court sentences him to six months in a new juvenile program, he meets a teacher with Alzheimer’s who will change his life and hers. Here's the thing about Lee's books - you care about the characters right away. And she starts DN with Hutch being in the principal's office, again, on the 1st page. So right away you know that he's got problems. And those continue through much of the book. I think we all like redemption stories, but they have to feel realistic. You have to care about the protagonists right away and be rooting for them, but it needs to take most of the book before he or she gets there. That's definitely the case in DN. It's also really important to have the supporting cast matter. In this case, there's Hutch's friend and fellow student Nyla. There's Father Kerry, former bad boy turned priest. There's Heather, Father Kerry's friend and (probably) ex-lover, and her mother, Maggie, who is showing beginning signs of Alzheimer's but who teaches Hutch some valuable lessons. And let's not forget Hutch's mom, Dee Dee, who has a habit of just up and leaving Hutch alone for days on end. Or his father, who tries his best but is just not cut out for single parenting (a tough assignment for anybody, I would guess). There are more. I don't think it's that easy to bring in a whole bunch of disparate characters and make them matter - without any of them overwhelming the main (anti-)hero or heroine. Lee does this masterfully. My tear-o-meter definitely responded to many of them. I also have to say that although I connected with Hutch right away, I didn't know for quite awhile whether or not I liked him. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Did it color my enjoyment of the book? Maybe a little. Hard to say. But I do know that it didn't prevent me from tearing up on pages 106, 116, 120, 123, 125, 135, and 136, among others. So I guess I emotionally connected to Hutch more than I thought. Maybe I need to do some reevaluating. Hmm, I'll think about that. Whether you're a crier or not, Double Negative is certainly worth reading. And while you're at it, if you haven't done this already, pick up Lee's The Princess of Las Pulgas and Sliding on the Edge. You won't be sorry that you read any of these 3 YA novels.

This is the first book by the prolific author, C. Lee. McKenzie that I've had the pleasure of reading and it won't be the last. I'm significantly impressed by Ms. McKenzie's young adult voice. It's right on. I admit it was difficult to read at first due to the Double Negatives. And then I found myself devouring those passages, mainly because the voice sounded vaguely familiar, like my own as a kid. "I ain't got no money." Hutch McQueen, born to a dysfunctional family, and just trying to get by can't seem to fly under the radar. Since I don't provide spoilers, I can say I groaned at one point, caught up in Hutch's dilemma. It would be nice to live in a society of well rounded children nourished by loving parents and family. Though, sadly Double Negative is not a new story, but one that should be read by all.

C. Lee McKenzie cannot write a bad book. Her style is so lyrical and her teen “voice” in this one is so perfect that I had serious author envy the entire time I was reading. I loved all her other books, but this one is her best work yet. Hutch is a character that is so real and has so much depth, that I devoured his story in two nights. Without giving away the plot, let me say that Hutch is the poster child for so many students who struggle with crappy home lives and difficulties in school (in Hutch’s case –reading). This is a bright kid who just needs some extra help. And, boy, does he get that help in the form of an ex-street thug turned priest (Father Kerry) and a retired school teacher, (Maggie Scott). Between the two of them, they manage to help Hutch realize that he must take control of his own life and make the choice to succeed or fail. One of the best things C. Lee McKenzie did in this book is give the adult characters as much depth as the teens, something that is too often lacking in YA books. My favorite is Hutch’s father, Jimmie. A good old boy from Texas, he starts out acting like an absentee parent, but as the story move along, I was thrilled to see Jimmie grow and take on the responsibilities of a pretty decent father. Double Negative is one of the best YA novels I’ve read this year. Highly recommended and a must-have for every high school library.

Hutch McQueen is a young man with an abusive mother and absentee father. He’s in and out of the courtroom as he lands in legal trouble. Also, he's not a star student since he has problems with his eyesight and lacks reading skills. He’s not alone, though. There’s Father Kerry, who wants to take him in and help him. Maggie, a woman stricken with Alzheimer’s, assists him with both reading and character development. Nyla is a bullied girl who helps Hutch study in return for watching her back—this develops into a deeper friendship. I liked reading about Hutch’s transformation, as well as how he interacted with the other characters. Many bad things happen to him and around him, but there are good things as well. The author doesn’t sugarcoat situations but presents them in a realistic way and in a positive light.

Double Negative turns out to be a double positive: for Hutch McQueen, who finally gets himself on the right path, and for Father Kerry, a priest with his own troubled background, and Maggie Scott, despite an Alzheimer's diagnosis, who are instrumental in Hutch's reversal of bad habits and behavior. Once again, C Lee McKenzie spins a tale of young adults presented with problems typical of their age — bullies, lack of self-confidence -- and perhaps not so typical -- dyslexia, eating disorders, and absent parents. She guides Hutch, Nyla, Wang, and Meeker to solve their problems, using their challenges as learning opportunities. Congratulations to C Lee McKenzie for another novel where negative themes give way to positive outcomes -- this time, of giving gratitude and letting go of hate.

Double Negative turns out to be a double positive: for Hutch McQueen, who finally gets himself on the right path, and for Father Kerry, a priest with his own troubled background, and Maggie Scott, despite an Alzheimer's diagnosis, who are instrumental in Hutch's reversal of bad habits and behavior. Once again, C Lee McKenzie spins a tale of young adults presented with problems typical of their age — bullies, lack of self-confidence -- and perhaps not so typical -- dyslexia, eating disorders, and absent parents. She guides Hutch, Nyla, Wang, and Meeker to solve their problems, using their challenges as learning opportunities. Congratulations to C Lee McKenzie for another novel where negative themes give way to positive outcomes -- this time, of giving gratitude and letting go of hate.

I decided to give Double Negative a try because the sample dragged me in from the first paragraph until I had to read the whole thing! It's so rare to see well done first person, but this book does it masterfully. Hutch has a real voice that must be rendered in the way the author has chosen. No lazy writing here! The characters are well-rounded and leap off of the page into your imagination. While the book has some deeply emotional moments and deals with themes and issues that could fall into oversentimentality or preachiness, the text never crosses the line. (A real feat as one of the main characters is a priest) There are real failures and victories, and Hutch's voice carries you on through all of them in vivid prose. I was rooting for our hero and his friends for the entire book. In short, this is an excellent read for teens and adults alike, and it kept me up an hour and a half after my bedtime, so kudos to the author! Highly recommended!

A drunk and neglectful mom, absentee dad, and vision problems have already stacked the deck against Hutch McQueen. When an arrest lands him in court, it’s doubtful he’ll ever succeed. But a sympathetic judge sends him to an after-school intervention program run by a priest with a similar past. Hutch hates the extra schoolwork and doesn’t like being paired with a forgetful elderly woman to work on his reading, but he finally has people on his side. Will the support be enough to keep Hutch out of jail and make a success of his life? One of the biggest strengths of this gripping novel is that McKenzie keeps us guessing as to the outcome. Hutch is a realistically flawed character whose compassion shines through, and the realizations he makes by the end are compelling and left me cheering. I always find this author’s writing superb and Double Negative is no exception. Highly recommended.

Another good book form C. Lee. It’s important for young adults to know that adversity is part of life’s journey. That adversity is a better teacher than good fortune. That adversity brings with it the development of new skills and new friends. In other words it’s a source of growth and development. Double Negative is a book I will recommend to all the young adults in my extended family of relatives and friends. Especially when I hear them complain that life is not fair. The story of the hero, Hutch, is one of turning adversity into growth and development. Of making lemonade from the lemons he has been given by nature’s casualness.

If life were fair, all children would have parents that loved and cared for them. Parents that helped them with their homework, made sure they had good food, and who listened to their troubles. Unfortunately, the world does not work that way. Many children’s mothers or fathers or both are drunkards, abusers, neglecters, and they just don’t care about their young ones. Author C. Lee McKenzie’s YA novel, DOUBLE NEGATIVE, is the story of sixteen-year-old Hutch McQueen, one of the kids that gets by the best he can without the support of his parents. Hutch’s story will have you crying, wanting to shake some sense into him, and wishing you could help the boy all at the same time. At least it did me. He’s not a bad kid; he just does dumb things, like many teens. He has a lot of decisions to make, decisions that will affect his future. Will he listen to his true friends and make the right choices? In Hutch, C. Lee McKenzie has created a character that many young readers will likely relate to. He’s tough and uncaring on the outside, but inside he wants family and friends. When he’s given a chance to change his life, will he take it or will he end up like many of his friends, either dead or in prison? Every high school, college, and public library should have a copy of DOUBLE NEGATIVE because, sadly, the novel is so true to life. We read about these teens in the newspapers every day. I think that Hutch’s story will stay with you for a long time as you wonder if teens like Hutch and the other characters can be helped, or are they beyond hope. An ARC of the book was provided by the author for my honest review.

Double Negative features a main character, Hutch, who struggles with high school (and the double negatives of grammar) along with the more serious problem of having an absent father and an abusive mother. The lack of parental supervision and any loving care forms a different type of double negative he must overcome. Desperate enough to steal rather than starve, Hutch makes a series of choices that will land him in jail unless he accepts help from a reformed-delinquent-turned priest and a retired teacher suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The atypical romantic subplot and the cast of well-developed unusual schoolmates add further dimension to the story. Readers will root for Hutch’s happiness as he tries to rise about his dire circumstances.

C. Lee McKenzie cannot write a bad book. Her style is so lyrical and her teen “voice” in this one is so perfect that I had serious author envy the entire time I was reading. I loved all her other books, but this one is her best work yet. Hutch is a character that is so real and has so much depth, that I devoured his story in two nights. Without giving away the plot, let me say that Hutch is the poster child for so many students who struggle with crappy home lives and difficulties in school (in Hutch’s case –reading). This is a bright kid who just needs some extra help. And, boy, does he get that help in the form of an ex-street thug turned priest (Father Kerry) and a retired school teacher, (Maggie Scott). Between the two of them, they manage to help Hutch realize that he must take control of his own life and make the choice to succeed or fail. One of the best things C. Lee McKenzie did in this book is give the adult characters as much depth as the teens, something that is too often lacking in YA books. My favorite is Hutch’s father, Jimmie. A good old boy from Texas, he starts out acting like an absentee parent, but as the story move along, I was thrilled to see Jimmie grow and take on the responsibilities of a pretty decent father. Double Negative is one of the best YA novels I’ve read this year. Highly recommended and a must-have for every high school library.