''In the Middle of the Night'' is a

young adult A young adult is generally a person in the years following adolescence. Definitions and opinions on what qualifies as a young adult vary, with works such as Erik Erikson's stages of human development significantly influencing the definition of ...

suspense novel by

Robert Cormier Robert Edmund Cormier (January 17, 1925 – November 2, 2000) was an American author and journalist, known for his deeply pessimistic novels, many of which were written for young adults. Recurring themes include abuse, mental illness, violence, ...

. It was published in

1995 File:1995 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: O.J. Simpson is acquitted of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman from the year prior in "The Trial of the Century" in the United States; The Great Hanshin earthquake str ...

Plot

This novel follows 16-year-old Denny Colbert, whose father was involved in a tragic accident that killed 22 children. He is not allowed to drive or answer the phone and his family moves so often that he is always the new kid in school. However, one afternoon, Denny disobeys his parents and answers a phone call, after which he finds himself drawn into a relationship with the mystery caller, someone who wants revenge.

Awards

* 1996

ALA Best Books for Young Adults The American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults, previously known as Best Books for Young Adults (1966–2010), is a recommendation list of books presented yearly by the YALSA division (Young Adult Library Services Association Th ...

* 1997 Texas TAYSHAS High School Reading List * 1996 ALA Quick Pick for Young Adult Reluctant Readers www.bookclubs.ca
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References

1995 American novels Novels by Robert Cormier American thriller novels American young adult novels {{1990s-thriller-novel-stub