The Good Daughter / Amra Pajalic

Summary - Fifteen-year-old Sabiha has a lot to deal with: her mother’s mental health issues, her interfering aunt, her mother’s new boyfriend, her live-in grandfather and his chess buddy, not to mention her arrogant cousin Adnan. They all want to marry her off, have her become a strict Muslim and speak Bosnian.

And Sabiha’s friends are not always friendly. She gets bullied by girlfriends and is anxious about boyfriends, when she just wants to fit in. But two boys, Brian and Jesse, become the allies of this fierce and funny girl.

The Good Daughter is a coming-of-age novel written with sensitivity and humour. It confronts head-on the problems of cultural identity in the day-to-day lives of teenagers. Amra Pajalic has a wonderful ear for idiomatic dialogue and the dramatic moment.

Review - Australian author, Amra Pajalic, has debuted with a piece of writing that really challenged me in many ways. On one hand it's a story of a teenage girl deal with her mother's bi-polar disorder, on the another it's about the acceptance of your cultural heritage and on yet another it's about treading the line between naivete and wordliness. All of these storylines rang very true, especially in the reconciling one's identity as an Australian while maintaining strong links to your home country. I was constantly to-ing and fro-ing between the many elements of Sabiha's life that were pressuring her, sympathising in some, angry and frustrated with her in others. I always felt that Pajalic had my attention within her crosshairs as I was reading.

Sabiha is one of the most realistic depictions of the teens that I teach every day. Not just because she was juggling being Muslim whilst maintaining an Australian identity, but she represented many of my friends and their experiences growing up. They haven't necessarily run the gamut of mental disorders, homosexuality, sexuality, friendships, religion and bullying but I can see them relating to Sabiha's struggle to please and yet be herself. I wanted to throttled Sabiha at times but I always understood where she was at and found myself unabashedly involved in her journey.

Pajalic has written a uniquely Australian tale about grappling with teenage-dom. This could be stockstanded YA fare but it isn't. She's depicted a world in all it's glory with a honesty and humour that compelled me. Sabiha's jealousy of a competing girl for her best friend's attention felt a little predictable but makes a left hand turn that completely won over. My one concern with this novel is that the opening chapter is a little exposition heavy with the background of the Bosnian community. While it's important information for the book, I feel that Pajalic inferred enough that it wasn't completely necessary.

Randa Abdel-Fattah (author of 10 Things I Hate About Me) labelled this book "gutsy" and I have to agree. I cannot wait to see what this new author presents to the world next.

Published: 4th May, 2009
Format: Paperback, 314 pages
Publisher: Text Publishing
Origin: Australia

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Amra Pajalic's Official Website

UK Along for the Ride = Super Pretty

To mimic Chandler from Friends - Could it be any more pretty?

Update - As per a request I have posted all the similarly styled UK Sarah Dessen covers here. Among them are Lock and Key, The Truth About Forever, Just Listen and the July re-release of That Summer.

Operation Retirement Rescue

All this talk about ARCs this week kinda bummed me out. None of us got into this YA reviewing gig to get free books (if you are, shame on you). We are here because we love YA. We love reading. We love the journeys that YA authors take us on. So this is my attempt at a mini challenge.

Before May begins I would like you to post reviews for 1-2 YA titles that -
1) were published more than five years ago,
2) hold fond memories, and
3) post the icon somewhere in your review.

I thought this might be a great way to direct attention to our sources of blogging inspiration, take the emphasis off ARCs and remember some oldies but goodies. What YA titles do you consider your classics?

My first one will be Meg Cabot's Teen Idol - her recent post on the television show Glee mentioned this book, which initiated my Meg adoration.

This is not meant to be a pimping exercise for my site. I don't expect you to mention or link me, just use the un-hyperlinked icon to identify your review as part of the challenge. Leave a comment if you are signing up for this mini-challenge of YA blogging positivity. Good luck!

**If this post promoting sunshine and rainbows was a little too sugary for you, traipse over to Khy's lovely post on hypothetical YA blogger revolt scenarios as inspired by Sarah Ockler.

An Insult to YA Reviewers Everywhere

I read the worst excuse for a professionally written review this morning. As part of the YA lit reviewing community, I am mortified that Tina Jordan thinks her words constitute a review. We do better than this on a daily basis with more reasoning and we don't get paid to do so. I am not complaining because she's flippant or lukewarm of Gayle Forman's If I Stay, she's entitled to her own opinion. My irritation is directed towards her talking about Twilight, which has nothing to do with If I Stay other than the shared director of their movie adaptation (a tenuous link at best and not even on a literary level). Even worse, she ruins a plot point that should be revealed in the reading (don't read the review if you don't wish to be spoiled).

Here's the review -

Though it's touted as 
the next Twilight — with a fat movie deal in place and Catherine Hardwicke set to direct — Gayle Forman's slim novel is no Twilight. If I Stay is a sweet little piece of fluff, beautifully written, but lacking the compulsively readable story line and 
 brewing sexual tension of Stephenie Meyer's blockbuster. Budding cellist Mia, 17, is in the car with her parents and 
little brother when it spins out of control on an icy road, killing everyone except Mia. She soon clings to life in a nearby ICU, shuttled in and out of the operating room. Should she make the effort to will herself back or should she take the easy route and allow herself to die? You can read the book and find out — or just wait for the movie. B

I am asking that if you have read If I Stay, that you visit this link and write a polite comment about the merits of the book. POLITE. As members of a reviewing community I think we should be encouraging others to read rather than "...just wait for the movie". I also think we should expect a higher standard of reviewing in the coverage of YA literature. This felt slightly dismissive and that irked me. (Please don't revert to rioting fangirl antics eg slurs against the journalist, focus on the merits of the book.) Thanks.

Waiting on Wednesday (10)

Shrinking Violet

Danielle Joseph

-May 5-

High school senior Teresa Adams is so painfully shy that she dreads speaking to anyone in the hallways or getting called on in class. But in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks out—doing mock broadcasts for Miami’s hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up at The SLAM, Tere surprises herself by blossoming behind the mike into confident, sexy Sweet T—and to everyone’s shock, she’s a hit! Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ’s awesome taste in music. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest—and a prom date with Sweet T is the grand prize—Sweet T’s dream could turn into Tere’s worst nightmare.

As a podcaster I can completely see myself relating to this book. When you are podcasting or on radio, you can be true to yourself in a way that you may not in other situations. People like you for what they hear, not what you look like or what you're wearing. You are valued for your opinions. Cannot wait to read this.

YA = Adult Goodliness

A few days ago I posted all the reasons why being an adult reader of YA could be problematic. In the aim of not sounding like a total sookie-la-la, here are the positives...

Money - Yes, I have a full time job and thus have the funds to buy books that I want. Sure I have to curb the need to buy everything that comes into my sphere but I do have the ability to buy books that I wouldn't have been able to afford as a Baker's Delight salesgirl back in the day.

My job - I am an English teacher and thus can hit thirty students at one time with my passion for books. Teachers who are passionate about reading tend to encourage students to be passionate about reading - that's just a fact. Through my YA blogging, I have been introduced to and thus recommended awesome books that really appeal to my grade eights and might allow me to be regarded as cool. Case and point - we are studying The Hunger Games in the upcoming term - I will be officially cool from then on. So to summarise, bloggers have made me cool in my student's eyes - I am eternally grateful!

The teen experience - My own teen experience was quite uneventful but I am able to relive it through books. Whether becoming the third Fate (Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Tattoo / Fate), having a spectacular crush (Sarah Dessen's Just Listen), going on crazy adventures (John Green's Paper Towns) or attending a wizardry school (d'uh), I have reinvented my own teen life.
Though I have also been able to experience aspects of life that I was lucky to avoid - rape (Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak), physical abuse (Sarah Dessen's Dreamland) and death (Gayle Forman's If I Stay).

It's the common assumption that YA is fluff that irrits me beyond belief because 1) it isn't and 2) what they perceive as fluff is usually painstakingly plotted, intricately characterised, narrative feats of amazingness. Just because there is a tendancy to use pink in the cover art (thankfully this is dying out) doesn't mean it doesn't have value.

The point is YA books might feature a teen protagonist, but their stories are universal - age, sex, race, culture or religion. They unite us in our commonalities and allow us to sneak a peek at our differences.

Blogging - I was concerned that I might be considered a 'grandma' in the blogging community. I am 27 but it sometimes occurs to me that I am double the age of some of you. That's frightening. But...the recommendations, the honesty, the laughter and the utter silliness of my interactions with many of you remove any fears I did possessed. I don't think anyone treats me like an adult or that I treat anyone of my fellow bloggers as teens. They are just labels after all. We treat each others as equals. We support one another (most of the time), actively assist one another and authors to make sure the best stories are heard, are known and are loved. And that's why YA is awesome - YA books treat readers the same way - blindly. It's about the journey, not the target audience.

Authors - I have been very lucky in terms of my relationships with some authors. In the short time that I have been blogging, I have made four great friends (that happen to be YA authors) from across the globe. They are all in different stages on their careers and are helping to encourage me in my hopes to write. Because of them I am in a writing course. Because of them I am pursuing a passion.

Unlike many of the teen bloggers, I have chosen my profession. I like it a lot but I never felt that I could pursue what I wanted. I don't sense any of you possessing those thoughts of self-limitation and that's inspiring. Through reading and being a part of YA blogosphere I have learn that you can always change course. Don't fear choices because there is always a new one to made. You guys have reintroduced me to optimism. Thank you.

Another plus in dealing with authors is that many other adults don't see YA in the positive light that I do. So I feel I am doing my bit to prove that not all adult readers think that YA is something to be scorned. I am taking a stand against all the douches that cock their head to the side and make weird faces when an author reveals they write YA. Shame on you, adults (that aren't myself or other adult YA bloggers!)

Pop Culture- There is something about the teenage condition that fascinates me. I am still as fixated with the John Hughes movies now as I was when I was eight. Regardless of your age, teenagers are frightening complex and interesting creatures that will fascinate you. When there are no more new teen movies, I can always pull out a YA book and most of the time they are 100% better. Sometimes I feel that YA, especially rom-coms, are fuelling my continual need to be John Hughes-ized.

There are many more but I didn't want this to become a gush-fest. Thanks for the warm welcome into YAverse. You have introduced me to authors and genres I would never have heard of or tried before and for that I am eternally grateful. Cheers.

Cindy Ella / Robin Palmer

Summary - Prom fever has infected LA-especially Cindy's two annoying stepsisters, and her overly Botoxed stepmother. Cindy seems to be the only one immune to it all. But her anti-prom letter in the school newspaper does more to turn Cindy into Queen of the Freaks than close the gap between the popular kids and the rest of the students. Everyone thinks she's committed social suicide, except for her two best friends, the yoga goddess India and John Hughes-worshipping Malcolm, and shockingly, the most popular senior at Castle Heights High and Cindy's crush, Adam Silver. Suddenly Cindy starts to think that maybe her social life could have a happily ever after. But there's still the rest of the school to deal with. With a little bit of help from an unexpected source and a fabulous pair of heels, Cindy realizes that she still has a chance at a happily ever after.

Review - Retelling a classic can be a tricky business and Cinderella is a tale that has been spun countless ways. I have been itching to read something of Robin Palmer's for awhile so when I saw the lone copy in Borders, I snatched it and almost ran to the counter. (I did resist the need to click my heels and do a jig.)

Cindy is an activist, in that she believes the prom is a big load of codswallop. She's stuck in the modern equivalent of Cinderella's hellish existence; a botoxed step-mother, two fashion tragic step-sisters, an infant half-brother and a workaholic father. While every single one of these can be cliched (and at times they were, often for comedic effect), Palmer was able to give them touches of humanity.

I very much enjoyed Cindy's besties; the hippie India and John Hughes-loving Malcom. Any book that heartily refers to John Hughes, creates a character that continually applies life to John Hughes movies, is my idea of a good time. They were well rounded and supportive of Cindy's attempts to swim against the high school current. However, I do wish they'd done more to curb Cindy's tendencies to declare her love for boys she barely knows.

The conclusion of the book was fairly predictable. I could see the identity of Brklyn Boy from an ocean away. I was pleasantly surprised that the protagonist's major stance of the movie was adhered to. There's nothing worse than a boy swaying a girl's firm held, rightful belief in something and we didn't see that here. In fact the love interest admired Cindy because of these opinions.

Palmer has created a witty retelling of Cinderella in a modern context. Her characters are amusing and entertaining, I am even more keen now to read Geek Charming.

Published: 2008
Format: Paperback, 264 pages
Publisher: Speak
Origin: USA
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Robin Palmer's Official Website

Glee - A Reason to Squee

It's been a pop culture day here on Persnickety Snark. I can't help sharing the things that I am passionate about.

I have heard about the television show, Glee, for a few weeks now and I badly want to see it. It's not High School Musical - rather a show about a sucky glee club and an overarching twisted sense of humour. It's premiering on FOX, May 19th.

What's the show about?-
Glee will be an ensemble show, featuring the worst American high school glee club. It centers on Will, a Spanish teacher called forth to take over the school's glee club, which doesn't seem to have the talent it desperately needs. The outcast bunch of students wishes to turn things around though, seeing as their reputation has earned them the title of being the “worst in the country.”

Will has to help them build their confidence in order to transport them to victory. Each episode of Glee will feature several musical numbers, which Murphy refers to as “organic as the students will be putting on a show every week.”

This is why I am already excited about it - they are singing Journey!!!

I have watched this five times already.

Rory Gilmore Envy

I love the Gilmore Girls.

I bought the series boxset, wrote a letter to TV Week when it stopped showing on TV and hung off every pop culture laden word. Of course the latter years tested this love - way too much Starshollow, Luke had a kid, and Logan. Which brings me to the topic of this post - Rory Gilmore.

I envied her life but not necessarily her. I wanted her mum, I wanted her grandparents and I wanted her boyfriends (bar Logan). I really wanted her intelligence, her book collection and how easy everything happened for her. I even wanted a Paris of my own.

I was cruising the 'net and realised that my envy had transferred to Alexis Bledel. On GG she left a lot of the heavy lifting to the magical Lauren Graham but did a great job at projecting confusion and wearing pretty clothes.

So here are my five reasons to envy Alexis:
1. Jared Padalecki (pre-Supernatural buff)

2. Jess (Did you realise I used his character name? Anyone who dates Hayden Panetierre in real life doesn't deserve me) - sucky boyfriend but boy was there sparkage.

3. Scott Porter(Jason Street - Friday Night Lights) is co-starring with her in The Good Guy. Clean cut and adorable, he's also a comic book geek - awww.

4. Zach Gilford (Matt Saracen - Friday Night Lights) is co-starring with her in The Post Grad Survival Guide. To which I say, Alexis - back away from the FNL cast. I swear if she goes near Taylor Kitsch, she will have problems.

and...

5. Edward Hermann

Nuff said.

Snarktress Out of the BlogTown

Hey guys, long time no post (kidding).

I have been interviewed twice this week and both have been posted into the blogosphere.

Here at We Love YA where the delightful Natalie Hatch asked me some blog-centric and Easter questions.

Steph at Hey, Teenager of the Year (she's from Melbourne, so soon the number of YA bloggers from Australia will need to be counted on another hand) interviewed me on books that I love, who I'd like to be in YA fiction and imaginary friends.

Lastly, Kristi (Story Siren) and Steph (HTofY) are collating more comprehensive information for a Book Blogger Directory including nationality, content and email addresses. You can find all the details here.

Amazon Fail - The Snarktake

I am a very open minded person - I am accepting of all people, I teach at a school full of kids that are from widely maligned backgrounds - so it upsets me when people's choices are removed. Especially if these choices are roadblocked but unnecessary organisational wank.

I understand that there are people in the world who don't want to read about homosexual characters. That's their right. It's just like I don't want to read about excessively whiny, feminist throwbacks that fall in love with wane vampires that stalk them at night. But hey, that's my choice. Amazon's newest policy is ridiculous.

Why?

Imagine being a closeted gay teen who finds some solace and relatability in a novel that addresses homosexuality. Imagine not feeling comfortable entering a bookstore in your small, homophobic town because a) you will be judged and b) they won't be available anyway. So you go to Amazon to find a book with a protagonist that you can relate to, with subject matter you want to read and it's not there. The search function shows that the only texts available are about how not to be who you are because certain titles have been "blacklisted". Imagine that. Removing accessibility and ultimately a platform for "adult" content books is stupid and ultimately bad business - Amazon, have fun with the damage control.

This is why I have posted Jackson Pearce's vid - she explains it much better than I ever could.

Too Old for YA?

I am an adult blogging in a YA world. I am not an author; instead I am a voracious reader who has always preferred to read the exploits of teen protagonists. The catalyst for this post was an article about Twilight, Gayle Forman and the state of YA publishing. I was quoted as “one adult YA blogger” which completely contradicted their stance of informing the reader about YA being for all readers, no matter their age. The two other bloggers they quoted (or should I say, misquoted) had their names and ages listed, I on the other hand sounded like someone anonymous and somewhat dodgy.

The majority of the YA blogosphere are the core audience and I thought I would list some of the pitfalls of being YA fan/blogger when you are well into your twenties.

The “Teen” Area – Bookstores have their little teen enclave in their children’s area. Of course that is the first place that I walk determinedly to and plant myself as I scour the shelves until I find something to buy. I have yet to walk out of this area without buying something, which is ridiculous when you see the height of my TBR pile. However, if you are there too long and shrug off the assistance of an employee, then you get weird looks. Thank goodness I have my ‘I am an English teacher’ excuse or there might be more questions. Although none of this has stopped me from recommending books, rearranging displays and shoving books at teens in the area.

Bookstore Employees – Those that work in the “teen” area tend to know huge amounts about YA and are great value for a prolonged discussion of Evernight versus Twilight or alternatively, they know nothing. It’s the latter that I get increasingly annoyed with, especially when I order a book by a universally recognised author and I receive a blank look. I get that they aren’t librarians but seriously... they suck. (Couple that with a look asking why I need that book at my age and I am done.)

Explaining my blog – I think we’ve all experienced that glazed look that crosses the face of someone who a) has had to hear about your blog, an author or a book several thousands of times or b) makes that face that screams “you read kid’s books?”. The latter is a problem in YA – those that haven’t read a good YA book and assume that they are all kiddie-ish and are written by talentless hacks. I am turning this around by giving lots of friends some choice books and then watch them scamper back demanding more – interestingly Carolyn Mackler seems to be one heck of a lure for the uninitiated.

Language – There is nothing sadder than seeing an author (my own age or older) using the word ‘rents and expecting the use of that word to give them teen cred. It doesn’t. It also humiliates you in front of your peers (me).

The Romantic Lead – I have sadly realised that I haven’t grown out of many of the ideal romantic leads that I read as a teen. I still am wholeheartedly sympathetic to the guy with the unrequited crush. I also tend to gravitate towards the guys with the sharp tongue, abrasive posture and wicked sense of humour (this also explains why I liked Jess on Gilmore Girls) that tend to treat girls poorly. I suspect it is a universal condition.

Rapid Falling in Love Syndrome – It’s one of my pet peeves of the YA genre and it’s not an age specific complaint. I do feel that at my age I do expect more reasoning and work in a protagonist and romantic lead declaring their feelings for one another. I think I might get annoyed more quickly than my teen counterparts but this is probably speculation (as you guys are brilliant.) As a teen I would have easily accepted it but now I find myself asking WHY? Being hot doesn’t not equate to instantaneous declarations of everlasting love.

Parents – I find myself siding with parents in many situations which makes me feel so old. This usually occurs in novels where parents aren’t caricatures. This is the one facet of YA that makes me feel my age.

I am sure there are many more but I think I will stop fuelling my rant. Expect a list of positives to being an adult YA blogger in the next few days. I would love to hear what you guys think is the difference between teenage and adult bloggers and their reviews of books. Ideally I would like to think that we see the world the same way. But do we?

Fate / Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Summary - For the past two years, Bailey Morgan has lived a double life: high school student by day, ancient mystical being by night. As the third Fate, Bailey literally controls the fate of the world, but as Plain Old Bailey, her life is falling apart. She's got a tattoo that was supposed to be temporary (but isn't), friendships that were supposed to last forever (but might not), and no idea what her future holds after high school graduation.

Then Bailey meets the rest of the Sidhe, an ancient race defined by their power, beauty, and a sinister habit of getting what they want at any cost. Before Bailey knows it, she's being drawn into an otherworldly web more complicated than anything she weaves as a mortal Fate.

Review - I found myself enjoying Fate a lot more than it's proceeding novel, Tattoo, as the girls were older and the setting was more firmly planted in that of high school. The issues were the same as you might find in a multitude of YA novels - fears of losing friendships in the college transition and crushing on guys. This novel, however, throws in the fact that Bailey is the third Fate, a whole heap of Greek God-inspired faeries and you have this novel.

The characters are again very well crafted. Each with their own distinct personality that side swerve from being cliched or stereotypes. Barnes have a deft touch and writes these girls like she knows them personally. The humour that is evident throughout is one of my favourite aspects of Barnes' writing as the zingers always come from out of the blue and they always scratch my funny bone.

Even better is the presence of a mysterious dark shadow that Bailey can feel approaching. I was blind sighted by the reveal of the "baddie" and I am normally someone who guesses the big reveal far in advance. I loved that Barnes' mythological research weaved effortlessly through the friendships, the romance and the mystery to create this fresh and supernatural take on the teen world.

I really enjoyed this tale and eagerly await Barnes' next release.

Published: 2009
Format: Paperback, 368 pages
Publisher: Random House Aust.
Origin: USA

In My Mailbox - 12 April

Mwah to the inspiration for this meme - Kristi at Story Siren and Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

It's an Aussie-fest this week - all books marked with a * are from Australian authors. Look out for my Aussie YA competition coming to you very soon.

Guantanamo Boy - Anna Perera
Khalid, a fifteen-year-old Muslim boy from Rochdale, is abducted from Pakistan while on holiday with his family. He is taken to Guantanamo Bay and held without charge, where his hopes and dreams are crushed under the cruellest of circumstances. An innocent denied his freedom at a time when Western boys are finding theirs, Khalid tries and fails to understand what's happening to him and cannot fail to be a changed young man.

World Shaker- Richard Harland *

The Anatomy of Wings - Kerry Foxlee*
The Anatomy of Wings is a touching and funny novel by a fast-emerging Australian author who is catching the eye of literary judges around the country. In a mining town full of secrets, Jennifer Day is coming to terms with the loss of her older sister Beth. Beth committed suicide and Jennifer is trying to make sense of her sisters death by piecing together the final months of her life.All the while Jennifer has to watch her already ‘unusual’ family fall apart. Her nanna, who thinks Beth was touched by God, is banned from visiting. Her parents blame Beth’s friends – and each other – for her death.

The Reformed Vampire Support Group - Catherine Jinks*
Think vampires are romantic, sexy, and powerful? Think again. Vampires are dead. And unless they want to end up staked, they have to give up fanging people, admit their addiction, join a support group, and reform themselves.Nina Harrison, fanged at fifteen and still living with her mother, hates the Reformed Vampire Support Group meetings every Tuesday night. Even if she does appreciate Dave, who was in a punk band when he was alive, nothing exciting ever happens. That is, until one of group members is mysteriously destroyed by a silver bullet.

With Nina (determined to prove that vamps aren't useless or weak) and Dave (secretly in love with Nina) at the helm, the misfit vampires soon band together to track down the hunter, save a werewolf, and keep the world safe from the likes of themselves.

The Locket of Dreams - Belinda Murrell *
Sophie discovers a golden locket in an old treasure box that belonged to her grandmother's grandmother. When she falls asleep wearing the locket, she magically travels back in time to 1858 to learn the truth about the mysterious Charlotte Mackenzie.

Daughter of a wealthy Scottish laird, Charlotte and her sister Nell live a wonderful life with their parents and animals, on a misty island with its own ruined castle. Then disaster strikes and it seems the girls will lose everything they love. Why were Charlotte and Nell sent halfway around the world to live with strangers? Did their wicked uncle steal their inheritance? What happened to the priceless sapphire - the Star of Serendib?

With the magic of the golden locket, Sophie begins to unravel the mysteries as she shares the adventures of Charlotte and Nell - outwitting their greedy relatives, escaping murderous bushrangers, and fighting storm and fire. But how will her travels in time affect Sophie's own life?

Evernight - Claudia Gray REVIEW

I was sent these other titles by Gayle Forman - she's an absolute love. Have been hearing some amazing things about her debut YA novel, Sisters in Sanity, so I am delighted to have my own lovely, Gayle-signed copy. I think I am a Gayle-groupie.

Sisters in Sanity - Gayle Forman
Have you ever had the out-of-control dream? The one where you know you’re not crazy, but no one around you—not your parents, not your teachers, not even the authorities—will listen to you?

For sixteen-year-old Brit Hemphill, the out-of-control dream comes true when her dad enrolls her at Red Rock, a bogus treatment center that claims to cure rebellious teen girls. At Red Rock, Brit is forced into therapy and her only hope of getting her life back is in the hands of an underqualified staff of counselors, a hardass Sheriff and a cruel shrink. Brit’s dad thinks Red Rock can save her, but from what? Brit thinks that the place is doing her more harm than good.

No girl could survive at Red Rock alone—but at a treatment center where you get privileges for ratting on your peers, it’s hard to know who to trust. For Brit, everything changes when she meets V, Bebe, Martha, and Cassie, four girls who keep her from going over the edge. Together, they’ll hang on to their sanity and their sisterhood while trying to keep their Red-Rock reality from becoming a full-on nightmare.

You Can't Get There from Here - Gayle Forman (Not a YA book, more a travel diary but excited nevertheless.)
What happens when cable televangelism and gay pride collide on an isolated Polynesian island? When Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy arrives in newly independent Kazakhstan? When DNA tests confirm the existence of a fabled lost tribe of Israel?

In this series of alternately hilarious and poignant tales, journalist Gayle Forman takes readers to the physical and cultural fringes of the earth as she communes with lovelorn transvestites,persecuted punk rockers, unemployed prostitutes, and guerrilla linguists, all of whom show her—and us—the human side of globalization. Traveling with her husband, Forman also takes her own relationship to the edge, offering an extremely personal picture of marriage under the influence of wanderlust.

13 Little Blue Envelopes / Maureen Johnson

Summary - Seventeen year-old Ginny Blackstone leads a fairly ordinary life up until the day she receives an envelope from her free-spirited, artistic (and recently deceased) Aunt Peg. The envelope, which is the first of 13 total, contains detailed instructions for Ginny, including picking up a package from a Chinese restaurant in New York and then taking a plane to London. She is to follow the strict instructions left in each envelope very closely. The envelopes are to be opened one at a time, and she can only proceed to the next one when she has successfully completed the task in the previous one. Sometimes the letters are very clear, but other times they are clouded in mystery, requiring Ginny to figure things out for herself.For a shy, un-worldly girl, each of the 13 envelopes hold for her a challenge. As a result, Ginny slowly begins to discover how much adventure she is capable of withstanding and at the same time she discovers the true identity of the aunt she thought she knew all these years.

Review - This was my first foray in MoJo-Land and ultimately I came away pretty disappointed. Yes, it managed to avoid many of the cliches of many YA novels but it also lacked the spark. Maybe due to the fact that Ginny was on the adventure to find her own?

Regardless, I mainly felt that I was reading a character that really didn't have a lot going for her. She was simply going through the motions. Ginny followed directions through magnificent places and didn't embrace the thrill of being there. I can understand, as some situations border on life threatening (thank you Aunt Peg), but mainly I felt dissatisfied.

Johnson has a lovely style of writing but I wish she'd put more time into developing Ginny, as opposed to Peg. Despite a refreshingly honest portrayal of a burgeoning relationship between Ginny and Keith, I never really felt like I knew the protagonist. I didn't feel anything having finished this novel and that pretty much summarises my problem with it. The concept has plenty of potential but it was never realised.

Published:2008
Format: Paperback,
Publisher: Harper Teen
Origin: USA