Substance: Journey of a young-adult boy into manhood, learning to accept himself and his talents and reject disparaging characterizations by others. The protagonist and other major actors all feel that they are suppressing their real, unlovable, selves.

Alphin echoes much of Orson Scott Card's critical narratives about "telling true stories" when the characters talk about "painting true pictures" and "taking true photos" although the effect is not derivative.

Style: The first-person narrative works pretty well, and has significant power in depicting the protagonists internal struggles.

NOTES:
p. 102-103: (on propaganda, which is a prime component of the protagonist's transition to "wholeness") ( )

In Picture Perfect the setting was ok were they started off and the characters are cool. But I haven't got to read the whole book yet. But I think this book is going to turn out to be a really good book for me to read. I really don't hate the book are have nothing bad to say about this book because it's like a mysterie book and I love mysterie books.

The main character lives in an emotionally abusive home where he developes multiple personalities. This book was very childlike in the beginning but it got better as the plot thinkened. ( )

Ian and his friend Teddy both love photography. They both work on the school paper and yearbook. When Teddy disappears, Ian has to face some unpleasant facts about his family and himself. He zones out sometimes and doesn't know what really happens. Did he kill Teddy? Did he zone out during the time Teddy was hurt? Is his abusive father responsible for all of the disappearances that are happening to his friends?
This was a great mystery. The author ties together what they have been learning in school to Ian's problems. You see Ian grow and change throughout the story. The split personalities are difficult to understand until you realize what is happening to Ian. This is definitely a boy book, with almost all of the characters being male. Sara is a friend of Ian's who comes into the story towards the end. She is the only female character, besides the boy's mothers. ( )

This disturbing story will be enjoyed by the readers who clamor for books after “A Child Called It.” ( )