THE SWEET, TERRIBLE, GLORIOUS YEAR I TRULY, COMPLETELY LOST IT

For 14-year-old Gemma Stone, just the idea of public speaking makes her queasy. But determined to impress her crush, Nick, she auditions for her school’s performance of The Tempest. Despite her intention to snag Nick, however, she ends up partnered with the infamous Raven De Head, who’s known more for his misbehavior and delinquent family than good looks. Yet as she and Raven rehearse, Gemma is drawn into the crazy but real life of the down-and-out De Heads. Tied to this theme of family is Gemma’s close examination of her own quirky one and her beginning acceptance of the military-crazed one that her sister is joining by marriage. Gemma’s observations of these families provide a colorful spectrum of family life, which is at once funny, engaging and relatable. Set in Australia, the text has a slightly exotic flavor, and despite a few slightly confusing slang terms, her angst and (more importantly) her growth translate flawlessly. Writing with impressive attention to details, Shanahan uncovers life’s small everyday details to encourage readers to look again and appreciate. (Fiction. YA)