Paul is new to Gate, a school whose rich students make life miserable for anyone not like them. And Paul is definitely not like them. Then, one day something incredible happens. Charlie Good, a star student and athlete, invites Paul to join his elite inner circle. All Charlie wants is a few things in return-- small things that Paul does willingly. And then, one day, Charlie wants something big--really big. Now Paul has to decide how far he'll go to be one of the gang. A powerful follow-up to Alex Flinn's Spring 2001 debut novel, Breathing Underwater.
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"this book is about a nerdy kid who moves because his parents split up and his mom gets a job at a church school and he has to try to fit in but he makes friends with the wrong people. He does some horrible things but you have to read this in order to find out what happens"
— Jordan (5 out of 5 stars)
" I read this book in about two hours; it was hard to put down. I took one star off because David and Blinky were my favorite characters and I would have liked more focus on them. However, this was still a good book that I would recommend to others. "
— Shayla, 2/17/2014" These book is about a student new to a high school who has felt he has hit rockbottom. I thought the book had a dark feeling inside as you read. During the story, you will learn about gangs, betrayal, false friends, true friends, and about the life of this teenage boy. This is recommanded to people who think that they think they have no hope in high school. "
— Joshua, 2/12/2014" Really good read...but I so wanted something to happen to Charlie....Wanted to see Karma at it's finest...enough said... "
— Patty, 2/5/2014" Couldn't get into this book. Too unbelievable. "
— Raven, 2/3/2014" Thought it was an eye-opening book and was very good. I love Alex Flinn. "
— Maddie14, 1/31/2014" This book is very different and shows what teenagers these days go through with there problems and their families so its very interesting to read the protagonists life style and how he will solve these problems. The author did a great job writing this book and it always keeps me on the edge of my seat every time I am reading it. "
— Teresa, 1/30/2014" I just got this book today. I really don't like reading but its for a grade. "
— ==, 1/23/2014" This book was interesting, but disturbing. It is about what might be the catalyst to youth being destructive and doing harmful things. It had a really twisted character. Because of the theme of the book, it is definitely PG-13. "
— Heidi, 1/23/2014" The book was very well written and had some very very serious parts. Some of which should not be read by people under the age of 10. "
— Aidan, 1/21/2014" this is a book about a guy named paul and he is a new student and he is considered a loser. his life changes when he meets a new friend charlie and he is very popular. the group of friends he talks to theydo alot of bad stuff. "
— Kevin, 1/16/2014" It was a great book i enjoyed it alot. "
— Michelle-javier, 1/13/2014" Paul's teen angst is coldly manipulated into something much darker when he decides fitting in is more important than thinking for ones self. "
— Marci, 1/2/2014" i enjoyed this book the characters werent so much real but the plot line is very much belivable. i liked the happy sad ending and think this tells of ur average teenage boys views just a little tothe extrem it shows how much u rele can get eaten alive in high school wether it be a nerd eaten alive by the populars or a popular being eatin alive by there own popularity own disicions this story shows a lot about the life lessons of growing up. "
— Megan, 1/1/2014" Psychological development of the lengths a kid will go to fit in at high school. Reminded me of The Chocolate War. Typical, teen-high-interest, fast read. Unrealistic, but interesting moments. Like all books, too long, even for a teen novel. "
— Susan, 12/30/2013" When I read the prologue to this book I really thought it would be great. But as I got further in the book I started to dislike it more and more. When I got to the end I hated it, not even as good as I'd hoped for. The prologue totally leads you on to what seems like it would be an amazing story but it played me! It was not even close to what I expected and wasn't as good as it made out to be.It made me mad, it wasn't even a good ending. I was very dissapointed. "
— Lacy, 12/20/2013" Couldn't get into this book. Too unbelievable. "
— Raven, 12/18/2013" he learned from his mistakes, that's all i can say "
— Bibliophile, 12/14/2013" this is a good book "
— Rob, 12/5/2013" This book definitely ends with a great moral, but the events leading up to the moral are quite disturbing. This is unlike any other Alex Flinn work I've read, and I love her writing style. This one was just a bit too graphic for me. "
— Ricki, 11/23/2013" Paul doesn't seem to fit in at his new school until Charlie Good takes him under his wing. Will this new "friendship" be good for Paul? How much will he have to pay to have a friend like Charlie? "
— Jennifer, 11/18/2013" Breaking Point disturbed me. It was a raw book about manipulation and bullying. I struggled while reading this book because of the cruelty that students experience. I am became angry because of how well cruel students can hide thier act and charm adults/other students. "
— Jlawton, 11/13/2013" I like this book! It shows what bad bullying in high school can really do. Every high schooler should read! "
— Sara, 11/12/2013" Lexile 410. Content and language better for High School. This is the story of a how kids can get wrapped up in bad high school situations and school violence. "
— Jessica, 11/11/2013" Psychological development of the lengths a kid will go to fit in at high school. Reminded me of The Chocolate War. Typical, teen-high-interest, fast read. Unrealistic, but interesting moments. Like all books, too long, even for a teen novel. "
— Susan, 11/11/2013" This book is an amazing example of school violence and everything that comes with it. Highly recommended reading. "
— Ashley, 10/26/2013" Really good, a little bit scary at the end though, and a sense of injustice. But overall very good. "
— βҽϲκαÓίη, 10/20/2013" Just didn't do it for me. The characters were written well but the plot never got going crisply. "
— alicatstrut, 9/24/2013" super good!! book "
— Elizabeth, 9/12/2013" Bullying in all its gory forms. "
— April, 8/21/2013" Well written book about bullying ... does a nice job of character development. Especially liked how the "bully" thinks of everything. It is clear this author carefully planned the book. Quick read. Read in a day. "
— Sherri, 8/9/2013" This was a pretty good book that dove right into peer pressure and what it feels to be all alone, and the extremes one will go to in order to fit in when they are in that lonely state. The characters were phenomenally realistic. Great job Alex Flinn! "
— Matt, 6/1/2013" Lexile 410. Content and language better for High School. This is the story of a how kids can get wrapped up in bad high school situations and school violence. "
— Jessica, 5/12/2013" Amazing and incredibly sad - it's horrible what some people have to go through in schools. "
— Jayla, 4/16/2013" I read most of this and got into about 100 pages, this book still didnt interest me so I put it down until a point where maybe I might want to read it again. "
— Brittney, 3/3/2013" Amazing and incredibly sad - it's horrible what some people have to go through in schools. "
— Jayla, 1/18/2013" so there is this kid, and he's a loser...and he makes "friends" with this guy who makes him not a loser...and then he starts getting in trouble and this "friend" is not really a "friend" and yeah "
— Erin, 1/2/2013" This book is an amazing example of school violence and everything that comes with it. Highly recommended reading. "
— Ashley, 12/14/2012" Suspenseful. Intense. Dangerous. Exciting. Just indescribably good! I can't explain in words other than, you gotta read it for yourself. "
— Alex, 12/12/2012" I'm actually a big fan of Alex Flinn's writing and thought this book was really good. I have read other of his books and have been very pleased and finsihed the last page happy. "
— Heather, 11/24/2012" Paul doesn't seem to fit in at his new school until Charlie Good takes him under his wing. Will this new "friendship" be good for Paul? How much will he have to pay to have a friend like Charlie? "
— Jennifer, 10/20/2012" It was a great book i enjoyed it alot. "
— Michelle-javier, 8/15/2012" A chilling look at what can happen when a bullied kid falls under the influence of a probably-sociopathic classmate. As an adult, I could see the red flags waving. The protagonist was unfortunately too naive. "
— Joy, 8/13/2012" when i was reading this i feel bad but i still liked the book "
— April, 6/11/2012" I read most of this and got into about 100 pages, this book still didnt interest me so I put it down until a point where maybe I might want to read it again. "
— Brittney, 4/12/2012" Breaking point is a good book to relate to for any new kid who is always moving. The reality of trying to fit in with the kids who wont accept anyone. "
— Eileen, 3/10/2012" This book was a page turner just when you think alls safe, BAMM! "
— Natalie, 1/8/2012" this book is way different from most of the books she writes but its really good and sends out a strong message. "
— Nehasri, 11/30/2011" This just wasn't my type of book. I was really disappointed by Alex Flinn. It's too bad that this was the first book I read by her, Beastly was MUCH better. "
— Myra, 9/13/2011" This book was interesting, but disturbing. It is about what might be the catalyst to youth being destructive and doing harmful things. It had a really twisted character. Because of the theme of the book, it is definitely PG-13. "
— Heidi, 7/22/2011" Well written book about bullying ... does a nice job of character development. Especially liked how the "bully" thinks of everything. It is clear this author carefully planned the book. Quick read. Read in a day. "
— Sherri, 3/2/2011" Lexile 410. Content and language better for High School. This is the story of a how kids can get wrapped up in bad high school situations and school violence. "
— Jessica, 1/12/2011" Really good, a little bit scary at the end though, and a sense of injustice. But overall very good. "
— ß???a???, 12/11/2010" This just wasn't my type of book. I was really disappointed by Alex Flinn. It's too bad that this was the first book I read by her, Beastly was MUCH better. "
— Myra, 11/30/2010" This book definitely ends with a great moral, but the events leading up to the moral are quite disturbing. This is unlike any other Alex Flinn work I've read, and I love her writing style. This one was just a bit too graphic for me. "
— Ricki, 10/18/2010" Paul's teen angst is coldly manipulated into something much darker when he decides fitting in is more important than thinking for ones self. "
— Marci, 8/24/2010" high school level book. maybe 8th grade <br/>deals with the issues of school bombing and suicide "
— Mrs., 3/16/2010" This book is an amazing example of school violence and everything that comes with it. Highly recommended reading. "
— Ashley, 3/15/2010" Breaking point is a good book to relate to for any new kid who is always moving. The reality of trying to fit in with the kids who wont accept anyone. "
— Eileen, 2/17/2010" this is a book about a guy named paul and he is a new student and he is considered a loser. his life changes when he meets a new friend charlie and he is very popular. the group of friends he talks to theydo alot of bad stuff. "
— Kevin, 2/17/2010Alex Flinn loves fairy tales and is the author of the New York Times bestselling Beastly, a spin on Beauty and the Beast that was named a VOYA Editor’s Choice and an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. Beastly is also a major motion picture starring Vanessa Hudgens. Her other books for teens include Breathing Underwater, Breaking Point, Nothing to Lose, Fade to Black, and Diva.
Jason Harris is a multitalented actor and voice-over artist. He’s narrated numerous audio books, including Dave at Night by Gail Carson Levine, Breaking Point by Alex Flinn, and Ghost of Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelson.