Book Review: Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan

Blake Hewson is a pretty lucky guy. He has two cool parents, an older brother who doesn't aggravate him too much, a wicked sense of humor, and a sweet girlfriend named Shannon. Things are going along well for Blake until the day he brings his camera down to a rough part of town for a photography assignment and takes a picture of one particular homeless woman -- a woman who turns out to be the missing mother of Blake's classmate Marissa.

Blake finds himself drawn into Marissa's tumultuous family situation while at the same time trying to juggle his schoolwork, his friends, and his relationship with Shannon. He tries very hard to do the right thing by both girls, but inevitably he does make mistakes and has to learn to face the consequences.

Blake is a very likable, honest young man, and his family (even the dog!) are well developed characters in their own right. The novel's dialogue is snappy and funny, and the emotional scenes have genuine depth to them. I really found myself pulling for Blake and hoping things would turn out well for him. The ending of the novel, while not completely resolving everything that happens to Blake, is a good indication that he will come through just fine.

I can't wait to see what L.K. Madigan comes up with next.

Kifflie (eagerly awaiting the release of Mockingjay on August 24th!)

Teen Writers Group

The Teen Writers Group meets this Saturday, August 14, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM in the Library Board Room. Snacks and beverages will be available. Any teen with an interest in writing is welcome to attend.

Teen Summer Reading Program Ends August 14

The Teen Summer Reading Program ends this Saturday, August 14th, at 2:00 PM. I will draw for two final weekly prizes and then the grand prize. The grand prize winner will receive a $25 Target gift certificate AND a $15 Best Buy card. Sweet deal! And all for just reading. Get those entries in!

Kifflie

Book Review: Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick

If you're looking for a quick, suspenseful read, Revolver might be a good choice.

In the winter of 1910, fourteen-year-old Sig has just discovered that Einar, his father has frozen to death in the barren Arctic wilderness. He brings his father's body back to his isolated family cabin while his sister and stepmother go for help. Before too long, a strange and frightening man (appropriately named Wolff) appears at Sig's door. Wolff claims that Einar and he had made a deal years ago, and now he intends to collect on it, no matter if Einar is dead or not. A terrifying standoff ensues, and Sig begins to believe that his only hope is to get to his late father's hidden Colt revolver before Wolff realizes what's happening.

The story flashes back and forth between Sig's current situation and Einar's initial encounters with Wolff from ten years ago, when he worked in an Alaskan mining town. Sedgwick does a nice job of merging the two stories together, building up the excitement and presenting Sig with a pivotal moral choice at the story's climax. All this in about 200 pages, for a very solid read.

Kifflie (Next up: Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan)