Tough Stuff: After by Amy Efaw

There are hard hitting topics that never get mentioned or talked about. There are terrible things that teenagers do that adults don't know how to respond to. In this series of posts I'll be mentioning books geared towards teenagers that deal with "tough stuff": suicide, abortion, eating disorders, gang violence, and rape. We can't pretend that this kind of stuff goes over teens' heads. These books approach the issues and give understanding and show preventative measures.

After

Devon is an athlete with Olympic dreams. She is a straight A student and known for being a responsible member of her community. Despite being raised by a single mother who constantly seemed to have priorities other than raising her daughter, Devon is a model student. That is until the day her world is changed. Devon stays home sick from school and is on the couch disoriented when her mother comes home. Cops knock on the door informing Devon's mother that they found a baby in a dumpster nearby and asks if they could have a look around the apartment.

Devon has done the unthinkable and the question this book answers, what happens After? She is in a detention center and going through a court trial for attempted murder. How does her defense make a case? Why did she do it? At what lengths does she go to deny it all... even to herself?

This is an incredible read. It is absolutely riveting, you can't stop turning the pages. I have to say that it is a gut-wrenching topic but it is SO fascinating to see Efaw's take on it. We get to see what lead Devon to this even if it is heartbreaking you begin to understand her and even relate to how she felt. Brilliantly written!! It is a dark book with a dark subject but ultimately a worthwhile read.

That's all for now!

Signing Off,

Reader Girl

Sci-Fi Books We Love: Veronica Roth's Divergent

In my previous post I mentioned the growing trend of dystopian novels in Young Adult Fiction. However I failed to explain what dystopia is. Dystopia (according to Wikipedia) is the idea of a society in a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian. Essentially not really a perfect world but darn, if it doesn't try to be.

I think the trend is because we are coming upon a very weary generation. We have a group of kids who it seems have never seen their nation at its finest. Politics have been uniquely polarized in the last 10 years which leads to a more moderate counter-culture coming up. They are weary of siding with anyone because in their eyes both sides have done wrong. Statistically we have more students growing up in single parent house holds and the sense is that there is something wrong and broken in families. The economy has been a roller coaster the last ten years and I think our students are looking for answers.

Dystopian novels are author's answer or word of warning to these students. As the Hunger Games presents, don't give up your personal freedom for "bread and circuses" or as the Uglies that outward beauty is not a sign of achievement. I like that our students are getting a dose of something of substance. What is your answer to this broken world? I'd tell you mine, but you'd guess, its the only Answer.

Book I: Divergent

Set in Chicago many years from now Beatrice Prior's world is divided into five factions: Abnegation (selfless), Dauntless (brave), Candor (honest), Amity (Peaceful), and Erudite (intelligent). We meet Beatrice Prior as she enters the most important decision of her young life. She must choose which faction she will spend the rest of her life with. Her family is Abnegation, they are selfless, she envies her mothers natural selflessness and while it doesn't come naturally to her she is thankful for the harmony in which she lives. The day before the choosing ceremony she goes into a simulation which will tell her what faction she is most naturally akin to. For most people the simulation narrows there choice to one, but when Beatrice goes in for her simulation her world is changed. We follow Beatrice as she chooses her faction and learns just what it means to be Divergent. We also begin to see the fabric that binds these factions begin to fall apart. The factions were meant to rid the world of evil by focusing on virtues but it seems that corruption is hard to keep away in any world. You will love Beatrice and her kickin' attitude! You will be horrified at Eric, wish for friends like Christina and will and you will sa-woon for Four! ENJOY!

That's all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl

Sci-Fi Books We Love: Gayle Forman If I Stay

So a few years ago I read "The Lovely Bones". It was one of those books that left me feeling "creeped out" and when I saw Gayle Forman's book "If I Stay" (which draws comparisons to The Lovely Bones) I thought, "Eeeeeh I'll stay away". Personally I never consider myself a Sci-Fi book person. However When I look in my room I notice a lot of Sci-Fi/Fantasy books and I guess I'll have to re-evaluate myself.

Therefore if you are someone who doesn't really consider themselves a lover of Science Fiction I'd like to invite you to read some of the books that will be in this series of blogs! They will all be books I couldn't tear my eyes away from.

If I Stay

Follows Mia both before and after her car accident. The book starts and she tells you about her family. Her parents were "rock and roll" musicians and her little brother can't wait to follow in their footsteps. Mia, as much as she loves her family always feels a little out of place because while she is a musician, she plays the cello and has an affinity toward classical music.

Affinity may be the wrong word. Mia loves classical music and is a very gifted musician who at the time of the accident is waiting to hear back from Julliard (after her audition she is very hopeful). While her family is hurting after the accident and Mia watches it all from above (she is in a coma-type state) there is one person she "needs" to see. Her boyfriend of a year and a half Adam Wilde. Adam was about to go on stage with his band "Shooting Star" when Mia's best friend brings him the news and drives him to the hospital. We see a series of memories of Mia and her best friend and Mia and Adam.

The book closes with a heart felt plea by Adam, "Stay" he goes on to say "If you stay, I'll do whatever you want. I'll quit the band, go with you to New York. But if you need me to go away, I'll do that, too. I was talking to Liz and she said maybe coming back to your old life would be just too painful, maybe it'd be easier for you to erase us. And that would suck, but I'd do it. I can lose you like that if I don't lose you today. I'll let you go. If you stay". I loved this book. Its characters were real and believable. You understand the weight of what her decision will be. It made me wonder what I would choose, which would be easier in this case? Life or Death?

Where She Went

Mia's decision has been made. She decided. Now we get to see the result of her decision on the people left. Or I guess more specifically the person left. This book follows Adam Wilde. His band has reached fame on an album written almost in its entirety by him. He has all the fame he has ever wanted and yet he feels hollow. Something is missing and he can't feel closure about his past. The band doesn't know him anymore, or understand him. You get the impression that even he doesn't exactly know what he is looking for. Adam is set up to have an interview with an internet magazine when he hears a name he hasn't heard in hears. A reporter digs up old pictures of them in school "Groovy and Geek", she finds newspaper clippings of the accident, and noticed their sequencing with the "black hole" that Shooting Star went through three years ago. He is forced to put Mia in the forefront of his mind (though she's been in the back of his mind for years) and you'll be surprised by how this story unfolds.

I loved this book and thought that Adam was written IMPECCABLY well. I highly recommend both books!

Thats all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl