The Body of Christopher Creed
by Carol Plum-Ucci

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Christopher Creed, the class outcast, disappears, leaving behind only a cryptic e-mail message. Is he a runaway, a suicide, or a murder victim? While others joke uneasily to ease their guilt, sixteen-year-old Torey Adams undertakes a search for the truth that tears his town apart.

Awards
Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature - 2001 Honor Book
ALA YALSA Best Book for Young Adults
IRA - CBC Children’s Choice - 2001

Books by Carol Plum-Ucci

The Body of Christopher Creed (2000)
What Happened to Lani Garver (2002)
The She (2003)

Booktalk #1
Christopher Creed was the kid at school that everyone knew, that everyone disliked, made fun of, and couldn't stand. But that didn't stop him from always tagging along, irritating people, and being weird. In fact, Chris was so annoying that he was beaten up all the time. Everyone had an "I beat up Chris Creed" story or two to tell. That's just the way it was. Until Chris disappeared.

When Chris vanished, there were lots of rumors: he ran away from home, he killed himself, he was getting revenge, someone killed him, and so on. What does turn out to be true, is that he sent the principal an e-mail before he vanished, stating that he knew no one liked him, and that he would make it easy for everyone and simply remove himself from their lives. It sounds like a suicide note, but there's no body.

Torey Adams is also one of the boys who can tell an "I beat up Chris Creed" story, but he would never actually want anything to happen to Creed. But Torey's name appears in the e-mail to the principal, so now some people think Torey might have been involved in killing Chris!

Torey knows he had nothing to do with the disappearance, and also doesn't believe that Chris was murdered, so he decides to do a little investigating. He discovers that Chris' mother completely controlled Chris' life, that Chris created a fantasy world in his diary, and that Chris actually envied Torey.

The more Torey finds out about Chris, the more convinced he becomes that Chris didn't kill himself, and that he might be able to uncover the facts.
Submitted by Sarah Cornish, Warren Township Library

Booktalk #2

THINK ABOUT THIS: There's a kid in your school. His name is Chris Creed. You and all your buddies went through elementary school together with Chris. Now all of you are High School Juniors. The thing is, Chris was always around, but was never a part of your group. He just never was. WHY? Why was - and is - Chris on the outside?

Well, Chris is the class freak - an outcast. Chris is the kid everyone picks on - teases and torments. When you're together with your group - all your memories of Chris throughout the years are about the times one of you beat on him - shoved him - tripped him - made him feel small - worthless - insignificant! NOW Chris is missing. GONE! Nowhere to be found. Not a trace.

Did he run away? Will he come back? Is he just trying to scare everyone? What about suicide? Murder? And WHY is it so difficult being different?
Submitted by Judy Macaluso, Ocean County Library

Program Suggestion: Book Discussion
· Is Christopher Creed a runaway, a suicide, or a murder victim?
· What did you think Chris’ e-mail meant when you first read it? (pp. 27-8)
Did you change your mind later?
· Creed wishes that he had been born someone else. Why?
· Ali tells Torey that he has the perfect life. Does he? Does anyone?
· How does Torey change throughout the story?
· Why does Creed’s mother insist that he was murdered?
· How is Creed’s disappearance related to that of Digger Haines?
· At his new boarding school, why does Torey feel uncomfortable around Leo?
· Has Torey found Creed?
· Do you think Creed could be successful at reinventing himself somewhere else?

Program Suggestion: Mystery Party
Order some pizza, dim the lights, and host a Young Adult Mystery Dinner Party at your library! Interactive kits make it easy and affordable.
Anyone’s Guess Interactive Mystery Series
www.highsmith.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/
Production/Hpress/pages/99teen.htm
How to Host a Teen Mystery (written by YA author Neal Shusterman)
www.storyman.com/st04001.htm

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