Sethie, seriously conflicted by the challenge of navigating the uncertainties of a not-quite-relationship with Shaw, develops anorexia.
Previously an excellent, responsible student, Sethie, a senior, tries to live up to indifferent Shaw’s expectations for a good-time girl, always available for quick sex and willing to share his abundant pot stash and booze. Never completely addressing these soul-subverting issues—all seemingly in sharp contrast to her previous behavior—Sethie instead begins to associate her self-worth and value to Shaw with her weight. New best friend Janey helpfully offers her bulimia tips but is less than honest about Shaw and his ultimate lack of interest in and respect for Sethie. Third-person, present-tense narration adds an additional level of edginess to this already disturbing tale of self-loathing—and eventually even self-mutilation, as Sethie, spiraling ever downward, dabbles in cutting as well. Adults around her, including her mother, seem nearly unaware of her drinking/drug use/anorexia until a too-easy conclusion brings a hopeful resolution—undermining the potential impact. While Sethie’s negative behavior and disturbing mental landscape are vividly depicted, it’s less obvious how she became so deeply afflicted, information that might provide readers with a helpful warning.
Never an easy read with its unrelenting depiction of Sethie’s pain and adult inattentiveness, this effort provides some insight but little assistance with an important and challenging topic. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: Aug. 28, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-375-87080-4
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: June 20, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2012
Categories: TEENS & YOUNG ADULT FICTION | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SOCIAL THEMES
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The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 13, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
Categories: TEENS & YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SOCIAL THEMES
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A treat for mystery readers who enjoy being kept in suspense.
29
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Everyone believes that Salil Singh killed his girlfriend, Andrea Bell, five years ago—except Pippa Fitz-Amobi.
Pip has known and liked Sal since childhood; he’d supported her when she was being bullied in middle school. For her senior capstone project, Pip researches the disappearance of former Fairview High student Andie, last seen on April 18, 2014, by her younger sister, Becca. The original investigation concluded with most of the evidence pointing to Sal, who was found dead in the woods, apparently by suicide. Andie’s body was never recovered, and Sal was assumed by most to be guilty of abduction and murder. Unable to ignore the gaps in the case, Pip sets out to prove Sal’s innocence, beginning with interviewing his younger brother, Ravi. With his help, Pip digs deeper, unveiling unsavory facts about Andie and the real reason Sal’s friends couldn’t provide him with an alibi. But someone is watching, and Pip may be in more danger than she realizes. Pip’s sleuthing is both impressive and accessible. Online articles about the case and interview transcripts are provided throughout, and Pip’s capstone logs offer insights into her thought processes as new evidence and suspects arise. Jackson’s debut is well-executed and surprises readers with a connective web of interesting characters and motives. Pip and Andie are white, and Sal is of Indian descent.
A treat for mystery readers who enjoy being kept in suspense. (Mystery. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-9848-9636-0
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: Oct. 28, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2019
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