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Category: Social Issues

Review: Don’t Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala

[ 4 ] November 29, 2011

Reviewed by Grace Soledad

Don’t Breathe a Word is the gripping story of a teenage runaway. Joy is tired of being suffocated by her parents and her boyfriend. Due to her intense asthma, her parents hover around her, terrified that if they leave her alone, she could have an attack. Asher, her boyfriend, is abusive. Controlling and not above blackmail, he lets his jealousy taint his decisions.

When Asher goes too far, Joy can’t take it anymore. She sets a trail in her room, making it look like she was kidnapped, and runs away to Seattle. In Seattle, she looks for a boy who witnessed Asher’s possessive nature. She is counting on the fact that he offered her help if she ever needed any.

On the streets, Joy learns to survive. Changing her name to “Triste”, she goes on a hunt for the boy. When they meet, everything falls into place. Joy finally has a family, a way of surviving, freedom. She learns how to find her way on the streets and avoid detection.

When her past threatens to catch up with her, Joy has to figure out how to keep her worlds from colliding, and how far she will go to keep things the way they are.

Don’t Breathe a Word left me breathless. Holly Cupala’s writing was seemingly effortless, beautiful and broken at the same time. She perfectly conveyed the hard life of a runaway, the lingering afteraffects of abuse, and the connections of family in this great novel. By “family”, I mean the ragtag group of runaways that Joy finds herself tethered to. Each is different, ran away for a different reason, and does their part to contribute to the group. As they take her under their wing, Joy discovers both the good and the bad of the streets.

Don’t Breathe a Word was the perfect combination of humor, raw emotions and romance. Cupala’s definitely knows how to play with the readers’ heartstrings and reluctant, as well as seasoned YA readers, are likely to love this book.

Rating: 5/5

Grace Soledad is a teenage bibliophile who runs the blog Words Like Silver. She is described as “antisocial” because she constantly has her nose buried in a book or a notebook. When not reading, she can be found dancing, writing, or at the beach.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by HarperTeen. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson

[ 2 ] November 25, 2011

Reviewed by Megan Saldecki

Janice Wills has a knack for anthropology. She likes to observe her class mates anthropologically as they socialize and survive high school.

Her and her best friend Margo are Unremarkable Smart Girls. Faced with the annual Miss Livermush Pageant, they each feel self-conscious and nervous about the expectation of entering the sort of rite of passage for sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds in Melva, North Carolina. That is, until Margo gives herself a makeover and is suddenly the talk of their classmates.

Janice then decides to enter the pageant for anthropological research reasons and is overwhelmed with juggling her friendship with Margo, the impending Miss Livermush Pageant, her anthropological research, and the new thought of boys. Two specific boys as a matter of fact. Jimmy Denton, the very Hot Theatre Guy and Paul, Janice’s sweet and funny friend who changes his hobby as often as his underwear.

The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills is the story of Janice suddenly becoming part of the culture she always watched from the sidelines.

I found Janice Wills to be an enjoyable read and felt that Janice was the epitome of an awkward girl coming to terms with herself, and finally seeing herself as pretty. She also really came to terms with how she treated people. She used to study her high school from the sidelines, always quick to point out a person’s flaws and used her anthropological research as an excuse for why she did this. The rest of the characters in the novel really helped her see that she did it as a coping mechanism for her self-consciousness and helped her see how mean her tactics were.

I can really relate to that, as I am very hypercritical, as Janice was described, and have been told by several people that I am. For me, it is indeed a coping mechanism for being so self-conscious. I am always fearing people are talking about me behind my back, so to help take control over that fear, I point out ones’ flaws to make myself feel better. Seeing Janice come to terms with herself and her body really brought me hope that I can do the same.

The plot and writing of Janice Wills was simple and in a way, that was actually nice. It wasn’t too deep or complicated and everything got wrapped up in one quick swoop. This could be either a good or bad thing, depending on the type of book you are looking for.

I would recommend Janice Wills to anyone that just wants a quick and light read, free of a complicated plot.

Rating: 3.5/5

Meghan is a 18-year-old book blogger. She likes to read and write in her spare time and would like to become a published author one day. She plans on going to college soon.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Arthur A. Levine Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: I’m Not Her by Janet Gurtler

[ 6 ] November 6, 2011

Reviewed by Grace Soledad

Tess has always been overshadowed by her older sister. Her sister is the volleyball super star, the girl who can dance, the girl that every boy wants to go out with. The worst part of this is that although her sister is perfect, her sister also has to be nice too! She’s always trying to get Tess to join her in her reign at parties, and to set her up with a cute guy. Her family loves Kristina more than Tess, and she always ends up on the sidelines watching it happen.

Tess resigns herself to the fact that she’ll never be anywhere as good as Kristina, until something unexpected happens: her sister has leukemia. Her family’s vitality had always revolved around Kristina. First comes the denial, and then the panic, and the secrecy. Kristina doesn’t want anybody to know, but Tess is quietly screaming. What will they do as her cancer progresses?

When I first saw I’m Not Her, I thought it looked strangely similar to Between Here and Forever (see our review). They’re both good, but I’m Not Her was definitely different.

Tess was very relatable. She was a strong girl, but her quiet strength wasn’t realized by many. She was the one always watching at parties, just waiting until her sister would let her go home. Kristina would try so hard to get Tess to socialize, but she wouldn’t. I did not realize just how much Tess relied on her sister until the cancer diagnosis.

One thing that I didn’t like was that the entire family’s world revolved around Kristina. I thought that perhaps Tess would grow more independent and her family would pay attention to her needs too, but it was always about Kristina. It was kind of irritating at first, but I eventually saw how Kristina affected everyone and understood why the author chose to portray her as she did.

There were several parts of the story that felt a little exaggerated to me; some of the reactions felt cheesy and overdone. For example, after the scene where we actually find out that Kristina has cancer, I just had to put down the book and think. The family members’ reactions got tended and poignant towards the end, but felt very unauthentic at first.

The plot of I’m Not Her was somewhat slow, but in a good way. I realized each character’s strengths and weaknesses, and connected to them well. Janet Gurtler took a sad topic and turned it into a wholesome YA book.

Rating: 3/5

Grace Soledad is a teenage bibliophile who runs the blog Words Like Silver. She is described as “antisocial” because she constantly has her nose buried in a book or a notebook. When not reading, she can be found dancing, writing, or at the beach. 

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Sourcebooks Fire. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Underdogs by Markus Zusak

[ 6 ] October 31, 2011

Reviewed by Marcus Hammond

Underdogs is a collection of Zusak’s first young adult novels. The book includes The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, and Getting the Girl. All three books deal with the adolescent struggles of the Wolfe brothers and more specifically the narrator, Cameron. Zusak uses simple, realistic, and at times poetic and image rich prose to relate the turmoil of growing up in a working class environment.

As The Underdog begins, the Wolfe brothers are portrayed as wild, trouble making teenagers with a lot of imagination and very little motivation to succeed. Throughout the story the bond of brothers and best friends between Cameron, the younger brother by a year, and Ruben becomes clear as they fight, plan robberies, and generally cause trouble together. While the various plots the boys think up are entertaining, it is Cameron’s struggle to understand the relationships around him that are at the heart of the novel. A clear maturing process occurs as Cameron struggles to understand his role in the world around him.

In Fighting Ruben Wolfe, Zusak continues Cameron’s journey through adolescence as he struggles with the now more adult world. As the novel opens, The Wolfe family faces financial hardships after Mr. Wolfe suffers a debilitating injury. This financial hardship resounds throughout the novel as both the Wolfe Brothers struggle between their boyish plots and the reality of poverty. As the family struggles emotionally and financially to endure their problems, the boys embark on an opportunity to earn money boxing. As the novel progresses it becomes clear that Ruben fights to overcome his fear of failure, while Cameron simply fights to survive and remain at his brother’s side. Those differences create an emotional divide between the boys, but they learn that their inherited strong will to survive provides them with the identity they are both searching for.

Getting the Girl continues to focus on Cameron’s youthful struggle to connect with the world around him. Cameron longs to experience love firsthand. He lucks out when an ex-girlfriend of Ruben’s seeks him out. The girl engulfs Cameron in a blanket of intense emotion that makes him feel complete in one moment and torn apart in another. Through the experiences with the girl, however, Cameron begins to realize his self worth.

Overall, Underdogs tell an amazingly cohesive tale of adolescent confusion and angst with a heart-warming conclusion. The emotion-rich prose with which Cameron’s struggles are portrayed creates a nostalgic feeling within the reader. Through that nostalgia Cameron can be seen as a symbol for the strength it takes to rise above one’s own teenage struggles.

Rating: 4/5

After obtaining a Masters in Liberal Arts and Literature Marcus has dedicated most of his time to teaching English Composition for a community college in the Midwest. In his down time, he spends time avidly reading an eclectic selection of books and doing freelance writing whenever he gets the chance. He lives in Kansas with his wife.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Arthur A. Levine Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin

[ 5 ] October 19, 2011

Reviewed by Grace Soledad

All These Things I’ve Done details a world where chocolate and caffeine is illegal. It’s 2083, and everything has changed. Speakeasies are common in the city. Anya Balanchine’s family members are mobsters, trafficking their gourmet chocolate into the United States and selling it all over the world to whomever has the means to buy it. After her mother and father’s death, the only people she has left are her dying grandmother and guardian, her older brother Leo who is mentally disabled, and her younger sister Natty.

During one night out at a speakeasy, Anya meets a snobbish rich boy who begs for chocolate and for her to loosen up around him. When she breaks off the fledgling relationship, he starts up the rumor mill. And yet, the next week, he is there begging for chocolate again. When he lands in the hospital, deathly sick because of poison, fingers start pointing at Anya. She rushes to discover why the chocolate was poisoned and by whom, but knows that when it comes to her family, it’s better to be suspicious. They always seem to have ulterior motives.

With her suspicious and logical nature, Anya finds her world being turned upside down when she falls for Win, the romantic son of the new assistant district attorney. She knows that she should not get involved, but while her head screams one thing, her heart says another.

For me, I thought that Anya was one of the strongest, most mature protagonists that I have ever encountered. Gabrielle Zevin’s clear writing brought her logical side to life and fully illuminated her for the headstrong girl that she was. Loyal and determined, nothing could stop Anya from putting everything right.

A large focus of All These Things I’ve Done was on politics and law, and the mafia aspect was so singular that I couldn’t help but be drawn in. Snappy dialogue within the family and political intrigue left me satisfied. Another intriguing aspect of the book was that while it was set in a dystopian society, it also had ideas reminiscent of the 1920s: speakeasies, the modern women, vintage clothing, Prohibition.

All These Things I’ve Done was one of those refreshing reads that lingered with me long after I finished the last page. With its original idea, bright characters, and crisp writing, All These Things I’ve Done is a stunning idea brought to life.

Rating: 5/5

Grace Soledad is a teenage bibliophile who runs the blog Words Like Silver. She is described as “antisocial” because she constantly has her nose buried in a book or a notebook. When not reading, she can be found dancing, writing, or at the beach.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Drink, Slay, Love by Sara Beth Durst

[ 8 ] October 13, 2011

Reviewed by Jennifer Jensen

After being stabbed through the heart by a unicorn’s horn after snacking on her favorite human entrée, 16-year-old vampire Pearl begins experiencing some rather strange symptoms. The most shocking occurs after two teenage “vampire hunters” capture and cage her, and she doesn’t burn at dawn’s early light. Because Pearl can withstand the daylight, her vampire Family comes up with a clever idea: they will enroll her in high school, and she will lure humans to the Fealty Ceremony as a treat for the King of New England.

Pearl agrees to the plan, but as she interacts with the humans, she discovers that she has a conscience and no longer wants to drink their blood. Evan, who once looked like a tasty morsel to her, now makes her experience true human feelings. Pearl decides she must find the unicorn who destroyed her nature, and get it reversed before her Family finds out.

Drink, Slay, Love by Sara Beth Durst is not your typical vampire novel; if you’re looking for another Twilight copycat, you won’t find it here. But if you love iconic movies like Lost Boys, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and anything starring Molly Ringwald, this is the perfect book for you. Light on the romance, Drink, Slay, Love is about a young vampire who does some soul-searching (well, if she had a soul!) and learns that where she thought she belonged might not necessarily be her ideal way of living any more. Caught in between two worlds, Pearl will have to choose: her family or the humans.

I absolutely loved the interactions between Evan and Pearl, and I hope that there will be a sequel to Drink, Slay, Love. This book is definitely one that I “sank my fangs into”, but my thirst isn’t quite satiated–I simply have to know what happens to these characters, and what the consequences for Pearl’s actions will be. If you love vampires, YA, witty dialogue, and are intrigued by the idea of were-unicorns, then you have to stalk your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of Drink, Slay, Love.

Rating: 3.5/5

Jennifer graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in English. She occasionally dabbles with her own fiction writing, particularly with the Young Adult and Paranormal genres. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and daughter.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Margaret K. McElderry Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

[ 5 ] October 11, 2011

Reviewed by Grace Soledad

Hartley loves her boyfriend, Josh. They’ve been dating for ages. So why does her friend text her one morning, saying that her boyfriend was cheating on her…with the president of the chastity club? She can’t believe it until she finds evidence.

Sneaking into her boyfriend’s house to confront him, Hartley makes a shocking discover. Courtney – the girl who was cheating with him – dead on the floor, iPod earphones wrapped around her throat. After the discovery of her body, Josh is the number one suspect.

Josh begs Hartley to help him clear his name, and although she hates him, she knows that he isn’t guilty. Grudgingly, she agrees to help. But as Hartley puts her skills to the test, she keeps finding bodies. And soon she realizes that she may be next on the killer’s hit list.

I found Deadly Cool really amusing. While it took me a while to get into it, once I did, I really enjoyed the read. That said, Hartley didn’t strike me as a character who had a lot to say. She didn’t really think for herself that often, and I didn’t really like how she made decisions. Some of the things that she said rubbed me the wrong way and I got annoyed with her several times. And, I probably would have swooned over Josh if he hadn’t cheated on his girlfriend.

Overall, the writing was pretty good. It wasn’t very lyrical or rough, but was nice and solid. Descriptions were used well and clues were cleverly alluded to throughout the book. While I do feel that she could have developed the story a little more, I feel like Gemma Halliday could be one to watch.

I’m sure that many people will enjoy Deadly Cool - I know people for whom this book is right up their alley – but I had a tough time connecting with the characters and the story.

Rating: 2.5/5

Grace Soledad is a teenage bibliophile who runs the blog Words Like Silver. She is described as “antisocial” because she constantly has her nose buried in a book or a notebook. When not reading, she can be found dancing, writing, or at the beach.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by HarperTeen. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Unfriended by Kate Finn

[ 5 ] August 25, 2011

Reviewed by Grace Soledad

Unfriended is the story of a girl, told through both narrative and Friendverse statuses. Once summer finally starts, Madison gets a job, spends time with her friends and her boyfriend, and stops worrying about prom. In the previous book, Madison and her friends pulled off a heist that they nicknamed “Promgate” using social networking to communicate with each other during prom.

Over the summer, as Madison stresses over mundane things, her arch-nemesis retaliates, claiming to make the girl who ruined her life (Madison) pay by turning all her friends against her and exposing the heist for what it was.

Using social media and texting, Madison recruits the help of her friends to once and for all put prom behind them.

Honestly, I thought that Unfriended was slightly ridiculous. I didn’t like it as much, but I did enjoy how they put pictures and almost Twitter-like updates throughout. I thought the pictures were clever because they illustrated what the characters were supposed to look like and reminded me of modern day technology.

Some things that I disliked included the fact that (a) no teenager would ever update their status a ton of times on a date; (b) they wouldn’t Facebook (or in this case “Friendverse”) at each other from two inches away; and (c) the ending was predictable. It was kind of ridiculous all around.

Most people I know wouldn’t spend nearly as much time on social media as the characters of this book did, and they wouldn’t partake in the crazy behavior described in Unfriended. It was too easy to guess the ending and the entire story was slightly overdramatic, but still somewhat satisfying. Although it was unrealistic, Unfriended gets a slight nod from me for being fun and breezy, and a sweet/brainless read for the summer days.

Rating: 2.5/5

Grace Soledad is a teenage bibliophile who runs the blog Words Like Silver. She is described as “antisocial” because she constantly has her nose buried in a book or a notebook. When not reading, she can be found dancing, writing, or at the beach.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Point. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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