Category Archives: Book Review and Content

Review: Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , ,

Finding Audrey by Sophie KinsellaFinding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
Delacorte Books for Young Readers

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Bullying leaves fourteen year-old Audrey paralyzed with an anxiety disorder. Now she hides behind sunglasses within the safe walls of her family’s home. When her therapist challenges her to create a video diary, Audrey begins filming interactions between family members. Her mother, believing Audrey’s brother has a gaming addiction, sets out to cure him, by force if necessary. Frank, Audrey’s brother, just wants to enter a gaming competition, and he’ll do whatever he has to do to get time online practicing for the big day. The competition prep introduces Audrey to Linus, her brother’s gaming buddy. Linus seems to like Audrey, despite her anxiety. His enthusiasm for her wellness seems to propel Audrey forward, but a spike in anxiety always seems just a breath away for Audrey. She wants to flip a switch and be normal again, but she must learn that therapy and life don’t work that way. Sometimes it’s the unexpected daily victories that deserve to be celebrated.

While at first this might seem like a dark topic for an author famous for her laugh-out-loud stories, Kinsella brings the zany fun in the interactions between Audrey’s family members and even in some of Audrey’s own experiences. I loved that this isn’t a story strictly about a girl’s battle with mental illness, but that it shows the way Audrey’s experiences have affected each person in her family. Audrey’s mother absolutely cracked me up. Her hypervigilance and worry were so easy to identify with and, taken to the extreme as they were, easy to laugh at.

It’s also not a story about how getting a boyfriend saved a poor broken girl. Audrey’s relationship with Linus certainly plays an important role in her recovery. He challenges her to do things that she’s frightened of doing, and then his enthusiasm becomes its own reward. Sometimes he misunderstands Audrey’s needs, and that causes some problems. Those difficulties made sense and added another element of realism to the story.

Fans of Kinsella’s other books will definitely enjoy the situational humor and wit of Finding Audrey. Readers looking for a lighthearted read will find that despite the heaviness of the topic, this is a fun, inspiring story.

Language Content
Extreme profanity used infrequently.

Sexual Content
Audrey and Linus spend time snuggling on the couch and kissing.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violence
Vague references to instances of bullying that were severe enough to cause Audrey to have a breakdown.

Drug Content
Audrey takes medication for anxiety. She decides to quit her meds on her own and must deal with consequences.

Review: Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , ,

Killer Instinct (The Naturals #2)
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Hyperion

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Seventeen year-old Cassie Hobbes and her friends possess unique gifts that have landed them on a secret FBI team that solves tough cases. Their last case called the whole project into question, and now, just when Cassie and the others desperately need a case to focus on, it looks like they might get benched.

But when a new killer emerges and leaves behind a trail of crime scenes all too familiar, authorities turn to Cassie’s team for answers. The killer mimics team member Dean’s father, who’s still behind bars on his own murder convictions. As the team investigates, Cassie and Dean’s relationship shifts, but the emotional baggage each carries might bar them from anything deeper than friendship.

Barnes continues to develop relationships between characters, ratcheting up the drama and intrigue within the group. There’s a hint of romance, but it doesn’t overtake the larger plot of the novel. Suspense lovers will enjoy the quick pace of the story as Cassie and her friends race to solve the clues left behind by a terrifying murderer before he snatches his next victim. The ending leaves plenty of room for a follow-up story as well.

Language Content
Extreme profanity used with moderate frequency.

Sexual Content
References to a romantic history between some characters but no real details given.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violence
The team studies a case in which a serial killer cuts, brands and murders women. There aren’t a lot of details about the crimes themselves or the condition of the victims’ bodies, so it’s more creepy than graphic. One of the boys had been forced to watch a woman treated this way as a child. Again, not a lot of detail there, it’s just heartbreaking to think of someone going through that.

Drug Content
None.

Review: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,

Everything, Everything
Nicola Yoon
Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Published September 1, 2015

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About Everything, Everything

My disease is as rare as it is famous. It’s a form of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, but basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in fifteen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives. New next door neighbors. I look out the window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black t-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. I want to learn everything about him, and I do. I learn that he is funny and fierce. And I learn that his eyes are Atlantic Ocean-blue and that his vice is stealing silverware. I learn that when I talk to him, my whole world opens up, and I feel myself starting to change—starting to want things. To want out of my bubble. To want everything, everything the world has to offer.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

My Review

Maddy’s narrative is accompanied by random snippets: super short movie synopses, clever charts and definitions that speak to Maddy’s state of mind, and transcripts of instant messages exchanged between Maddy and Olly.

The story is witty and cute and definitely packed with romantic tension. I was as enamored with Olly as Maddy was upon his entrance to her life. He’s fun and smart, yet has that sort of dark, angsty mystery to him, as well.

Confession: I snooped and read a spoiler (which I immediately regretted) before reading the book for myself. I was worried that knowing a major twist (which the reviewer felt was too perfect or too simplistic) would affect my ability to enjoy the story and really stay in the moment while reading it.

I found the characters so engaging that I wasn’t bothered by knowing what would happen. The outcome felt organic to me, and much more plausible within the context of the story than the review had made it seem.

The one thing that rang a little false to me was Maddy’s confidence about the outside world. I would have expected her to have more anxiety, even if she felt like the risks would be worthwhile. She seemed a little too in control at some moments.

All in all, though, I felt like Yoon does an amazing job with the character development and with the reference to poetry, philosophy and math. Those parts along with the situation concerning Maddy’s health elevate the story from a common contemporary teen romance to something much more substantive. Readers who enjoy books by John Green and movies like The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or The Truman Show should give this novel a read.

Content Notes

Profanity or Crude Language
A handful of instances of brief strong profanity, usually in reference to a drunk man berating his family.

Sexual Content
One sex scene – includes a short description of what happens. Their bodies “moving together” and that sort of thing. It is supposed to be Maddy’s first sexual experience.

Spiritual Content
Madeleine and Olly briefly discuss ideas about hope and faith – more general, less specific to any one religion really. He is pretty convinced there’s nothing more out there in the universe whereas Maddy finds the idea of faith appealing.

Violence
Maddy spies on neighbors and witnesses a confrontation that turns violent.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

Review: State of Grace by Hilary Badger

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , ,

State of Grace
Hilary Badger
Capstone/Switch Press
Published October 1, 2014

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Wren and her companions live in a beautiful utopian world where pleasure is the highest value. Dot has made all creation good and beautiful, and she’s left instructions for how to live. When strange flashes of another life begin plaguing Wren, she tries to hold on to Dot’s ways and be happy. But as piece after piece of her perfect world begin to crumble, Wren finds it harder and harder to believe.

At first glance, this is definitely a different book. The idea of reading a utopian story really appealed to me, and I think Badger really delivered on that idea. Of course we’re suspicious of the perfect world right from the start, but even that works for the story. In some ways the suspicion which is so well-voiced by Blaze is really what propels the story forward.

The most powerful moment comes when Wren is faced with the knowledge that what she’s believed to be true is based on lies. She must decide if she’s strong enough to pursue the truth or if she can allow herself to be lulled back into ignorance. Can she be happy if she knows it’s all fake? Badger captures the unraveling of the pure dystopian world, juxtaposing Wren’s breakdown against the echoes of bliss still experienced by other characters, revealing the truth in an almost horrifying clarity worthy of big league sci-fi writers.

Readers who enjoy Ursula K. LeGuin (particularly The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas) should absolutely give State of Grace a read.

Language Content
No profanity.

Sexual Content
Characters are encouraged to have sex (referred to as hooking up) as often as they want with whomever they want, as long as it’s not with the same person twice (some couples choose same sex, others choose opposite sex. Anything goes.) In the Books of Dot, pleasure and fun are the highest values.

A boy uses Dot’s principles to manipulate girls into having sex with him. There aren’t a lot of details given. Wren recognizes that there’s something wrong with this, but isn’t immediately able to pinpoint what.

Other hooking up scenes aren’t described either. Wren does refer to the boys’ “willies” and the girls’ “tatas” here and there. Clothing is also optional.

There’s a brief reference to a porn site and a nudist colony.

Spiritual Content
Characters worship Dot as their creator. She is an all-knowing goddess who left instructions within several books. One character claims to hear Dot’s voice. Each character is required to fill a bag with a special fruit as an offering to Dot each day. (See below for more information that includes a spoiler.)

Violence
A boy slits the neck of a deer and guts it. It’s a bit gruesome, which is kind of the point the author is making. A boy’s neck is cut later. There are some flashbacks which include information about a boy beating someone to death.

Drug Content
A boy encourages a girl to take prescription drugs and smoke cigarettes with him.

Spoiler
(Spiritual Content continued) Wren learns that everything she believed about Dot has been made up. She’s frustrated and angry, but also a bit relieved, because it was getting a little Lord of the Flies there for a while. At the end of the book she reflects on the difference between her earlier life and the present. She knows that anyone who has died isn’t out there with Dot. They simply don’t exist anymore. She has zero faith, and that’s implied to be this very superior experience.

Given her earlier time, it’s understandable that faith has left her with this strong aversion and that she’s chosen not to believe anything like that anymore, but some readers may be bothered by the implication that atheism is a superior way to live.

 

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Review: Dream Things True by Marie Marquardt

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , ,

Dream Things True by Marie Marquardt
St. Martin’s Griffin

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Alma can’t wait to shake the dust off her small southern town from her shoes and make something of herself in college at a prestigious school. She has spent the last several years preparing and convincing her family. Now all she needs is a scholarship, and thanks to a dedicated guidance counselor, that goal is within reach. Then a handsome white boy turns Alma’s head the two begin a romance that jeopardizes everything Alma has worked towards.

Evan is the classic American rich boy. Alma isn’t sure he could ever understand her world – her strict father and large, close family. Her family’s dangerous status as undocumented immigrants.

At first I wasn’t sure if the story would strike a good balance between Evan and Alma’s romance and the themes concerning immigration. I was afraid that either the romance would drown out the rest of the plot or the politics would get too preachy.

There are a few moments where the romance really heats up, but Alma’s goal was never to find a boyfriend or to find love, so her motivations keep the story on track. As her family’s ability to remain in the US becomes less and less certain, tension soars, and I found myself turning page after page, desperate to know the outcome.

Without getting into a long monologue about politics, I felt like Marquardt presented a great story and created excellent characters. Dream Things True brings a face to the plight of undocumented immigrants and invites us to reexamine stereotypes and fears. Since reading this novel, I’ve spent more time reading about current laws and issues regarding immigration in the US than I ever had in the past. The fact that the story prompted further education must be something its author would consider a win, I believe.

I liked that the romance between Evan and Alma added to and was transformed by the story. It’s not romance strictly for the sake of romance. It made sense why they liked each other; they felt worthy of one another. Yet those things didn’t mean that love was the perfect solution to all their problems. Love played a role, but it wasn’t the point of the story.

Readers who enjoy romance should definitely give this one a go, especially fans of Jennifer E. Smith.

Language Content
Strong profanity used infrequently.

Sexual Content
Alma knows that if she gets pregnant, she will lose the opportunity to go to college. She sets boundaries for herself and is committed not to cross them. At a party, she begins kissing her boyfriend pretty amorously, and the next day can’t remember what happened. He did not take advantage of her. Later he does ask her to have sex with him, but she says no and he respects her answer. There are a few scenes in which they lie down next to one another or she sits in his lap and kisses him. At one point they go swimming together in just their underwear.

There are rumors that one of the boys on the soccer team drugs girls and has sex with them. A boy confesses to Alma that he participated in this once. His confession is plain, and Alma is appalled and won’t let him make light of the situation. The boy receives consequences for his actions.

A fifteen year old girl and a twenty year old boy plan to marry. The girl has a baby.

Spiritual Content
Alma’s family is deeply religious and has a statue of Mary in her home. She and her aunts pray the rosary and light candles before the statue to pray for Alma’s mother, who has died.

Evan attends church with his mom, but it seems to be largely about keeping up appearances. We don’t learn anything about what Evan personally believes.

Violence
See sexual content.

Evan and Raul help break up a fight that started at a party. Evan and another boy get into a fight which the police break up.

Drug Content
Evan’s cousin Whit abuses prescription drugs and alcohol. Evan tries to keep him from engaging in those behaviors, but it’s kind of a lost cause. Whit ends up having to be hospitalized and later goes to rehab.

Teens, including Alma, drink alcohol at a party.

 

Review: Scar Girl by Len Vlahos

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,

Scar Girl by Len Vlahos
Egmont USA

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In the aftermath of Johnny’s accident, the Scar Boys regroup and begin performing as a band again. But too many members carry secrets that become barriers between them.

Cheyenne hides her pregnancy from Johnny. Harry buries his love for Cheyenne in the lyrics of a song. Johnny withdraws into his own vision for the band. Richie walks the fine line between keeping peace and staying out of the conflict.

Through answers to interview questions, the band members relate their experiences as the Scar Boys face bigger problems and more pressure than ever before. What began as Harry’s story now becomes the story of four teens bound together by music bigger than any of them.

The interview format breaks this story into sections in which each member attempts to answer a question. While the varied viewpoints added drama and depth, sometimes the unfiltered honesty in the answers was hard to buy. I found myself asking, is this really what someone would admit to a journalist?

That aside, the story packs some serious emotional punch. The story shows the band, once a cohesive whole, as it breaks down into four desperate, disillusioned teens and propels readers to the very center of each heartache. Make no mistake: it’s dark, it’s raw. It will grab you and refuse to let you look away until the last line of the last page. Vlahos leaves us with hope, though, after the long, dark night. As much as I liked  Scar Boys, I think I liked this book better.

Language Content
Extreme profanity used with moderate frequency.

Sexual Content
When Cheyenne discovers she’s pregnant, she contemplates having an abortion. She describes going to a clinic where protestors gather. She refers to one protestor as “angry and confused.” Cheyenne does not have an abortion, but for personal, not moral, reasons.

At one point, she is lying down with Johnny, but nothing happens between them.

Spiritual Content
Brief mention of Cheyenne’s Catholic background.

Violence
Song lyrics describe a scene in which a boy commits suicide by hanging himself.

Drug Content
Cheyenne’s father is an alcoholic. One band member begins drinking alcohol heavily and performing drunk. Other band members are uncomfortable with the behavior, but no one seems able to stop it. Eventually the member agrees to get help.