Heavy Metal and You

Heavy Metal and You
By Christopher Krovatin

192p
Push
ISBN-10: 0439743990
ISBN-13: 978-0439743990


Annotation:
A punk rocker falls for a girl not interested in sex or drugs and must make an effort to change.

Summary:

What happens when a guy with massive amounts of heavy metal music knowledge and a history of getting drunk and partying with his friends happens to fall head over heels for the quintessential “good girl”? That is exactly the premise in Krovatin’s novel Heavy Metal and You. How far would you go to impress the girl you "love"? Would you be willing to change your clothes and you attitude?

Sam is a good student, who knows a lot of about classical literature and is incredibly smart, he also loves heavy metal music and will often show up for class wearing a spiked collar. When he falls for the “straight-edge” girl Melissa who doesn’t drink, do drugs, or tends to like the people who do, it is up to Sam to “straighten” up.

Written by Krovatin in his late teens, this book is teeming with teenage angst. This book captures the essence of a guy’s book, perfect for the reluctant reader or the rock music fan. The characters are well developed and have a realness that is uncommon in many young adult novels. Readers will easily recognize aspects of themselves or people they know within the pages.

This novel does include sex, drugs and strong language, so readers beware.

Prom Anonymous

Prom Anonymous

By: Blake Nelson

272p
Puffin

ISBN-10: 0142407453
ISBN-13: 978-0142407455


Annotation:
Three childhood friend reunite to attend prom together and, in the process of finding dates and dress, gain some insight into themselves.

Summary:
Nelson provides a fluffy but humorous exploration into the lives of three friends, Chloe an art geek with a admiration for Sylvia Plath, Laura the popular girl with the athletic football star boyfriend that she sleeps with more out of routine than affection and Jace the tomboy with the crush on the newly transfer star athlete with a secret of his own. Having grown apart through out their high school careers into separate and very different cliques, the three friends decide to make prom an evening to remember.

Teens will love this light and fluffy novel about the trials of high school and the idea that sometime friends grow up, and grow apart but that if they look hard enough they will remember the reasons they became friends. Throughout the novel each character is forced to deal with individual issues, and through that they learn that their friendship is still strong and that they can always depend on each other. In the process emerges quite a pleasurable read. An enjoyable book especially designed for the chick-lit generation. Some sexuality is discussed though out the book as well as some references to drug usage. However, this is hardly an edgy novel, and will fit in with most YA readers.

Mason

Mason
By: Thomas Pendleton

256p
HarperTeen

ISBN-10: 0061177369
ISBN-13: 978-0061177361


Annotation:
When a sadistic high school student tries to cover up a murder by brutally beating an innocent girl, his mentally challenged but psychically gifted brother, Mason, uses his powers to bring about justice in their sleepy Louisiana town.

Summary:
In Pendelton’s first novel we are introduced to Mason; a mentally challenged young man and his sadistic drug dealing brother Gene. As the story opens we are exposed to the graphic image of a nine year old Gene attempting to asphyxiate his resented “special” younger brother, only to be stopped in time by his parents, both of which are gone after that fateful night.

Fast forward; Gene and Mason are now in high school, Mason is constantly harassed and bullied by his classmates and his brother’s friend much to the enjoyment of Gene. Mason’s only saving grace is Rene a childhood friend of his, a friend that is a whole lot of danger. Little does Rene know that she is putting herself at risk by befriending Mason, risk at the hands of Gene.
Mason also has a very special ability; he is able to project lifelike images into other people’s mind. When Rene gets brutally attacked by a group of high school students, orchestrated by Gene, it is up to Mason and his special ability to avenge her.

Pendleton creates interesting well developed characters from the first page. The story is quick paced and manages to keep the readers attention. The tension is thick in the air once the final confrontation is at hand. Readers will be hooked, and unable to put down this chilling young adult novel.

Two Parties, One Tux and a Very Short Film about the Grapes of Wrath

Two Parties, One Tux and a Very Short Film about the Grapes of Wrath
By: Steven Goldman

320p
Bloomsbury USA Children's Books


ISBN-10: 1599902710
ISBN-13: 978-1599902715

Annotation:
Mitch, a shy and awkward high school junior, negotiates the difficult social situations he encounters, both with girls and his best friend David, after David reveals to him that he is gay.

Summary:
Goldman introduces us to Mitchell an intelligent but lazy high school junior. The story opens as Mitchell is told by his best friend David that he is gay. Since David and Mitchell do nearly everything together (movies, school, and attend parties) Mitchell must now reexamine all aspects of his relationship with David; and find the perfect date for prom.

This book is made more interesting when David and Mitchell make an experimental short Claymation film based extremely loose on Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath filled with biblical imagery and controversial nudity scenes. Mitchell decides to show his film in place of turning in a paper on the novel, and his problems spiral out of control. Mitchell must now deal with the impending judicial review on his film, which may cause him to get expelled, plus the expanding sexual animosity between him and David. In addition, Mitchell has garnered the attention of Danielle the extremely attractive and recently single popular girl at school.

Goldman’s first novel is told with a dry wit that at times can be humorous, but can also come off as slow. His main characters seem, likeable enough and tend to mirror much of the attitudes of adolescents, however the problems that Mitchell faces and the his attitude for much of the book comes off as whiny and unfeeling.