Review: Famous Last Words by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

In Famous Last Words by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski, sixteen-year-old Samantha D’Angelo has death on the brain. Her summer internship at the local newspaper has her writing obituaries instead of soaking up the sun at the beach. Between Shelby, Sam’s boy-crazy best friend; her boss Harry, a true-blue newspaper man; and AJ, her fellow “intern scum” (aka the cute drummer for a band called Love Gas), Sam has her hands full. But once she figures out what—or who—is the best part of her summer, will she mess it all up?

As Sam learns her way around both the news room and the real world, she starts to make some momentous realizations about politics, ethics, her family, romance, and most important—herself.

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Jennifer Salvato Doktorski's young adult novel Famous Last Words is one of those novels that makes you suddenly laugh aloud in a quiet room and leaves you with a warm, satisfied feeling upon finishing.

The novel follows 16-year old Sam, a summer intern at a local newspaper, the Herald Tribune. Among her other "intern scum" duties, Sam shares obituary duty with fellow intern AJ, a sarcastic college intern. The newspaper office is filled with quirky characters, from Harry, her armadillo-loving  boss, to Tony, known as Coma Boy to the rest of the newspaper staff and summer crush to Sam. This summer is the beginning of something different for Sam... There's no lazing around the pool with her best friend Shelby, who just doesn't seem to understand why Sam works so much and has no interest in their usual summer activities. And Sam, usually reserved and shy, is finding her niche and her previously small social circle is expanding. This summer, she's breaking rules, keeping secrets, and learning, little by little, that a summer of writing obituaries might just teach her how to live.

I easily identified with the main character of Famous Last Words, Sam. She's a hard worker, rarely gets into trouble, is protective of her much wilder and social best friend, Shelby, and is generally shy and awkward in the situations Shelby thrives in. When Sam finds something that both challenges and suits her - writing for the Herald Tribune - she flourishes. I cringed when Sam embarrassed herself, got herself reprimanded, or something so obvious to the reader went right over her head (especially in the romance department!), but that also means I couldn't help but cheer for her when she was congratulated, loved, and finally, finally realized that everything she needed (romantically and otherwise) was right there for her to grab on to.

I highly recommend this sophomore offering from Jennifer Salvato Doktorski. I'm kicking myself for overlooking her first novel, How My Summer Went Up in Flames, which I will definitely be reading. Laugh-out-loud funny, briskly paced, and filled with memorable and quirky characters, Famous Last Words is fantastic pleasure read.

Henry Holt & Co, July 2013, Hardcover, ISBN:9780805093674, 288 pgs.

Review: The Night She Disappeared by April Henry

Gabie drives a Mini Cooper. She also works part time as a delivery girl at Pete’s Pizza. One night, Kayla—another delivery girl—goes missing. 

To her horror, Gabie learns that the supposed kidnapper had asked if the girl in the Mini Cooper was working that night. 

Gabie can’t move beyond the fact that Kayla’s fate was really meant for her, and she becomes obsessed with finding Kayla. She teams up with Drew, who also works at Pete’s. Together, they set out to prove that Kayla isn’t dead—and to find her before she is.

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April Henry's novels are, in a word, addicting. The mystery and foreshadowing are so well done that it's near impossible for the reader to walk away... even for a few hours. Henry is one of those rare authors that keep the reader guessing and add just the right amount of creepiness and fear that you can't help but stare, transfixed. 


I enjoyed Henry's last offering, Girl, Stolen, but, to me, it was nothing compared to the intensity of The Night She Disappeared. Everyone knows to be wary of strangers, but I sometimes forget that working in customer service puts you directly in front of strangers every day. I'm a hostess and, honestly, after reading this book, I now look at customers in a whole different light. That's what's so powerful about The Night She Disappeared... the events in the novel don't seem all that far-fetched. 


In my opinion, the aspect of this novel that makes it most unique is the fact that the story isn't from the kidnapped girl's point of view, but Gabie's - the girl who got away. Gabie's fear was palpable and her unease reached from the pages and gripped me as I read. I was, admittedly, a bit jumpy. When would the creep be back for Gabie?


Also present in the novel is a small romantic plot line. It may seem out of place, considering the seriousness of the novel, but Henry integrated it well. For me, it didn't seem misplaced, as traumatic, high-stress events often cause people to come together in unexpected ways. Thankfully, Gabie's romance didn't seem false or forced.


Readers looking for a high-intensity mystery at a fast pace should consider April Henry's The Night She Disappeared - you won't be disappointed!

Henry Holt & Co BFYR, Hardcover, March 2012, ISBN: 9780805092622, 240 pages.

Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. 

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. 

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

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I was completely taken with Leigh Bardugo's debut. Shadow and Bone is marvelous... seriously. The world is richly detailed, the main and secondary characters are engaging, and the fantasy elements distinctive. I couldn't put it down!


Alina doesn't think she's anything special, until she accidentally taps into previously unrealized power within to save her best friend... power that marks her as Grisha. The Grisha are revered in Ravka and are much above Alina's current station in life. She is taken under the wing of the Darkling, the mysterious and powerful leader of the Grisha, and is forced to leave her best friend behind in order to train among her new found peers in a world she knows nothing about.


The time Alina spends training with her fellow Grisha successfully allowed the reader to observe external and internal changes of the heroine and was a great opportunity to learn more about the culture and world of the Grisha. I love how much depth and detail is present in Shadow and Bone, as it is usually the aspect of YA Fantasy I find lacking.


Bardugo doesn't make things easy for the reader. The reader and Alina are often unsure of who to trust, sharing the same insecurities. Except the reader doesn't have the weight of saving Ravka on their shoulders like the unsuspecting heroine...


And there's romance! And two possible romantic interests! And no love triangle! How is this possible, you ask? I'm not telling... because that would be very spoilery. And who wants that!?


Great YA fantasy doesn't come along every day... do not miss Shadow and Bone!

Henry Holt & Co, Hardcover, June 2012, ISBN: 9780805094598, 368 pages.


Be sure to check out the book trailer too!

Book Trailer: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
Henry Holt & Co./5.10.2011
Description: 
Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon, the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

Review: Girl, Stolen by April Henry

Title: Girl, Stolen
Author: April Henry
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company BFYR
Pub. Date: 9.28.2010
Genre: Contemporary YA
Pages: 213
Description (from Goodreads):
Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, their car is being stolen—with her inside! Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, all he needed to do was steal a car for the others. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. What Griffin doesn’t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is blind. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare, and if she does, at what price?


I admit that GIRL, STOLEN didn't immediately catch my eye. It wasn't until a few trustworthy sources recommended it to me that I really gave it a second thought... The description was, for lack of a better term, cheesy. Luckily, my friends are wise and convinced me to to set aside my first impression because GIRL, STOLEN's quick-witted heroine is definitely worth meeting.


My favorite aspect of GIRL, STOLEN was most definitely Cheyenne. My younger sister is visually-impaired, though not to the extent of our main character, and the author's descriptions rang true. Cheyenne is a strong, smart young woman that's easy to connect with and even easier to be inspired by. I'm excited to share this novel with my sister, in hopes that she too will find some inspiration in Cheyenne's perseverance and strength. 


I suppose there was a slight romantic plot line, but I wouldn't classify this novel as romance. It was hinted at, but wasn't of any major consequence.


Parts of GIRL, STOLEN may be predictable and there isn't much time for in depth development of the secondary characters, but this novel is still a 5-star in my book based solely on the clever main character.

Review copy provided by Amazon Vine.

Contest: Win a copy of Harmonic Feedback!

Tara Kelly has generously donated a copy of Harmonic Feedback and HF related swag for readers at The Hiding Spot! Be sure to check out my review of the novel and interview with Tara!

Prizes
Grand Prize: 1 signed hc of Harmonic Feedback, a signed bookmark, and a guitar pick
(2) Winners: 1 signed Harmonic Feedback cover flat and signed swag
(3) Winners: Signed Harmonic Feedback swag

How to Enter:
You MUST comment on either the review of Harmonic Feedback or the interview with Tara Kelly. (Only one comment is required.) Then you MUST fill out this FORM. If you neglect to comment on at least one of the posts or fill out the form, you are not entered to win.

Extra Entries:
Not required. Extra entries are detailed on the entry form as well.
+5 entries - Comment on my review or interview (whichever you did not comment on for your original entry)
+5 entries - Comment on this contest post w/your favorite band, musician, or genre of music.
+4 entries - Old Follower/Subscriber (Thank you!)
+2 entries - New Follower/Subscriber (Welcome! You will gain 4 entries in the next contest you enter at The Hiding Spot as an Old Follower/Subscriber!)
+2 Follow me on Twitter (@thehidingspot) Leave your @name for verification.
+2 Follow Tara Kelly on Twitter (@AuthorTaraKelly) Leave your @name for verification.
+3 Tweet this contest. (Leave a link.)
+3 Link this contest on your sidebar, in a post, or on FB. (Leave a link.)

Details:
Contest will close June 15th 2010. Open to US and Canadian mailing addresses only. Sorry International readers! I'll be hosting another International contest soon and I have two open now, HERE and HERE.

Good luck!

Interview: Tara Kelly (Author of Harmonic Feedback)

Tara Kelly's debut novel is a realistic portrayal of a girl navigating her way through the confusing maze of adolescence... who just happens to have Asperger's. Today at The Hiding Spot, Tara shares her thoughts on raising awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders through literature, music's role in her writing process, and writing the romantic element of her novel!

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A Brief Bio

Tara Kelly is a Jill of all trades--a YA author, one-girl band, web/graphic designer, video editor and photographer. She lives in Broomfield, Colorado with her ten guitars, supercool bf, and a fluffy cat named Maestro.
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The Interview

Give a short statement describing HARMONIC FEEDBACK.
Eek-I’m terrible at summaries! Harmonic Feedback isn’t a book about Asperger’s Syndrome. It’s about a girl who is trying to figure out what normal really means—and if normal is something she really wants to be.


The number of people I know that have autism or a similar syndrome is remarkably high and it seems like more and more people are being diagnosed, so I was intrigued by the fact that Drea has a “touch of Asperger’s.” Why did you decide to write a main character with Asperger’s and do you think it is important to raise awareness about this syndrome?
For one, my little brother was diagnosed with mild autism/Asperger’s (they switched his diagnosis back and forth). This was in the 90s when autism wasn’t quite the household name it is now. And I myself had social problems growing up. So I’ve always wanted to write about a character who sees the world differently than most. I also think—despite all the media attention autism has received recently—the majority of people have a skewed view of what autism is and what autistic people are like. Many don’t realize how very different two people on the spectrum can be. Nobody fits a box of symptoms perfectly. So, yes, I do think it’s important to raise awareness with variety. A variety of stories featuring characters all over the spectrum who each have their own distinct personality—the latest crop of YA and MG fiction featuring autistic characters is a GREAT example of this. And I’m so glad to be part of it!


Music is a huge part of your life; does it play any part in your writing process?

Definitely! I can’t write without music and I can’t make music without a story to tell. I design playlists for each character so I can get into their head (sometimes this means listening to music I hate). When I write songs, I often write about the characters in my stories—they are far more fascinating than I am.


I love Justin’s character! He opens Drea’s eyes to a whole new world and a whole new sense of self. Was their romance easy to write or was it stubborn, like Drea?
Romance is my favorite thing to write, hands down. And the romance between Drea and Justin actually flowed really well for me—despite Drea’s protests. I had a blast writing their scenes together, especially the awkward moments. Although, I admit…there were times where I kept thinking…just kiss her already! I had to be patient and wait for the right time, though.


Can you tell us anything about your next YA novel?
My next book, C-Side Tales, comes out next year, and I'm very excited about it. Harmonic Feedback deals with music, obviously, but C-Side focuses solely on what it's like to be a band in today's music world--which has changed significantly in the last ten years. To steal my agent's summary--the story revolves around a 17-year-old girl who has to battle wicked stage fright (and a crush on the superhot bass player) to convince the members of her new band that she can hack it as their lead guitarist.


I read on your website that you hate balloons and it stuck in my head. Why the aversion to balloons?
Ha—this stems from a childhood fear. When I was a tot, I had a huge aversion to the sound of popping balloons. Whenever someone was around with balloons, I’d cover my ears and squeeze my eyes shut, anticipating the loud ‘bang’. And honestly? I still cringe whenever I hear the squeaky rubber…I might still cover my ears.


My blog is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Who, what, or where can be credited as your personal escape from reality?
Books, for sure! Especially YA. No matter how old I get, I love getting lost in a book about first time experiences and adventures. But, also, my acoustic guitar. There’s nothing more calming to me than sitting outside and strumming my guitar, making up a song.

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Thanks for stopping by, Tara!

Be sure to check out my review of HARMONIC FEEDBACK as well!

Review: Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly

Title: Harmonic Feedback
Author: Tara Kelly
Publisher: Henry Holt BFYR
Pub. Date: 5/25/10
Genre: Contemporary YA
Keywords: Asperger's Syndrome, Music, Friendship, Romance
Pages: 278
Description (from GoodReads):
Sixteen-year-old, music- and sound design-obsessed Drea doesn’t have friends. She has, as she’s often reminded, issues. Drea’s mom and a rotating band of psychiatrists have settled on a touch of Asperger’s.”

Having just moved to the latest in a string of new towns, Drea meets two other outsiders. And Naomi and Justin seem to actually like Drea. The three of them form a band after an impromptu, Portishead-comparison-worthy jam after school. Justin swiftly challenges not only Drea’s preference for Poe over Black Lab but also her perceived inability to connect with another person. Justin, against all odds, may even like like Drea.
It’s obvious that Drea can’t hide behind her sound equipment anymore. But just when she’s found not one but two true friends, can she stand to lose one of them?

By simply reading the description of Harmonic Feedback, you'll discover that the main character has Asperger's Syndrome. Asperger's is characterized by social awkwardness and repetitve behaviors, which, understandably, sets Drea apart from other main characters in the genre. Unfortunately, some people may see Kelly's debut novel on the shelf, and, like Drea's peers, be unable to see past the Asperger's. This aspect of the novel is well written and allows it to stand out on crowded YA shelves, but that isn't the only thing that makes it shine.

As indicated by the title, Drea is heavily influenced by music. Whether the reader is familiar with the bands or types of music in the novel is irrelevant; it's Drea's passion that resonates. Often, a main character will dabble in hobbies and activities, but readers rarely see the protagonist so completely dedicated to something, other than a boy. Drea's ability to both lose and find herself in music reminded me of how I feel about reading. I think many readers will feel this connection to Drea, no matter what their individual passion. It's the fact that the reader can identify with Drea that makes her unforgettable.

It's impossible for me to discuss Harmonic Feedback without mentioning Justin, the boy who unexpectedly walks into Drea's life and turns it completely upsidedown. Not only does Justin challenge Drea's ideas about her music, he challenges her ideas about herself. In ways, Justin is Drea's knight in shining armor. He awakens her to a whole new world that I fear she never would sought out on her own. Kelly wrote Justin as both a supportive friend and a boy falling head over heels for a girl, which is exactly what Drea needs.

I can't say enough good things about Harmonic Feedback and, even then, I don't know if I could do it justice. Tara Kelly has written a powerful novel that both inspires and entertains and I urge you to read it!

Grade: A

Cover Comments:
I love the cover, especially because the cover model could be me, you, or you.

CHECK OUT MY INTERVIEW WITH TARA KELLY AND WIN A COPY OF HARMONIC FEEDBACK HERE.

Waiting on Wednesday (27)

WoW is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Cover May Not Be Final

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride
Henry Holt BFYR/10.12.10
Description (from GoodReads):
Sam leads a pretty normal life. He may not have the most exciting job in the world, but he’s doing all right—until a fast food prank brings him to the attention of Douglas, a creepy guy with an intense violent streak.

Turns out Douglas is a necromancer who raises the dead for cash and sees potential in Sam. Then Sam discovers he’s a necromancer too, but with strangely latent powers. And his worst nightmare wants to join forces . . . or else.
With only a week to figure things out, Sam needs all the help he can get. Luckily he lives in Seattle, which has nearly as many paranormal types as it does coffee places. But even with newfound friends, will Sam be able to save his skin?

I'll be honest, I'm usually not a huge fan of guy narrators, but every once in awhile I find one that I absolutely adore... and I'm hoping that Lish McBride's novel will be added to that list. Plus the title - Hold Me Closer, Necromancer - makes me laugh every time I see it.

Review: Nomansland by Lesley Hauge

Title: Nomansland
Author: Lesley Hauge
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company BFYR
Pub. Date: June 22, 2010
Genre: YA Dystopian
Main Themes: pop culture, societal control, no men
Pages: 256
Plot (from GoodReads):
Sometime in the future, a lonely, windswept island is populated solely by women. Among these women is a group of teenaged Trackers—expert equestrians and archers—whose job is to protect their shores from the enemy. The enemy, they’ve been told, is men. When these girls come upon a partially buried home from the distant past, they are fascinated by the strange objects—high-heeled shoes, teen magazines, make-up—found there. What are they to make of these mysterious things? And what does it mean for their strict society where friendship is forbidden and rules must be obeyed—at all costs?
The entire premise of the novel is intriguing. A world without men, depending on my mood, sounds both horrifying and amazing. As I was reading I just kept thinking, imagine if were were a country run by a dictatorial female leader who just happened to be completely fed up with men and she decided to move us all to a secluded island, banishing men and threatening any who tried to approach. It would be insane.

One of the things that I didn't like about this novel was the lack of explanation. I felt like the reader never really got the whole background story, which is often my favorite part of dystopian novels. Finally discovering what cataclysmic error occured that caused this dystopian environment is often the moment that brings the entire novel full circle.

Fortunately, there were many aspects of the novel that I loved. First and foremost, the discussion of pop culture by the girls of Nomansland. There confusion over models and present day fashion drove home many interesting points, causing me to look at many modern day practices and ideas in a new light. Even things like birthday cards are foreign to these future girls, especially thing like the signature Love, Dad.

Overall, NOMANSLAND was a quick, interesting read, but I have read better YA dystopian novels. If you love dystopian novels, I think this novel is worth a read, but I would wait to buy it.

Grade: B-

Cover Comments:
I'm not really sure how I feel about the cover. I don't feel that it particularly fits the novel and it doesn't really draw my eye, but I can't really think of anything that would suit the novel better. I do like the darker color palette though.

Interview: Megan Crewe (Author of Give Up the Ghost!)

I loved GIVE UP THE GHOST and am thrilled to welcome Megan Crewe to The Hiding Spot!

A Brief Biography
Like many fiction authors, Megan Crewe finds writing about herself much more difficult than making things up. A few definite facts: She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and two cats (and does on occasion say "eh"), she tutors children and teens with special needs, and she has yet to make friends with a ghost, though she welcomes the opportunity. Give Up the Ghost is her first novel.

The Interview
What inspired you to write GIVE UP THE GHOST?

The image of a girl talking to her sister—who happened to be a ghost—popped into my head, and I wanted to figure out why she was so comfortable hanging out with the dead. As I determined more and more of her backstory, and thought of what might happen to her, I knew it was a book I had to write.

How did you choose the title of the book; what is the background story?
Well, the original title of the book was IN MEMORY OF (as in the common inscription on gravestones: “In loving memory of…”), but my agent and I decided that was too vague. So I went through a list of death euphemisms looking for inspiration, and GIVE UP THE GHOST seemed to fit perfectly.

Are you anything like your main character, Cass?
We have similar senses of humor—we’re both prone to sarcasm. And in some ways she’s like me only an extreme version. I’m shy, she’s totally cut herself off from other people. I’m cautious, she’s very distrustful. I’d imagine once she’s continued to open up more we’d be a lot alike.

Do you personally believe in ghosts or spirits? Did this factor into your portrayal of ghosts in GHOST?
I’m on the fence when it comes to ghosts. I think it’s possible they exist, but I haven’t seen any clear evidence myself, so I don’t feel I can say for certain one way or the other. But I definitely considered what I’d expect actual ghosts to be like, if they do exist, when I was creating the rules for the ghosts in the book.

Did you do any research while writing GHOST? If yes, please explain.
Yes! I found the book ODD GIRL OUT by Rachel Simmons particularly helpful in understanding the sorts of social bullying that go on and that formed a large part of Cass’ history. I wanted to make sure that her story rang true and wasn’t exaggerated or unrealistic.

What was the most difficult aspect of writing GHOST?
I’d say the most difficult aspect was staying true to Cass’ prickly personality while still letting readers see enough of her vulnerabilities underneath that they would sympathize with her. Since the story is told from her point of view, that required a delicate balancing act.

Did you always want to be a novelist?
I always loved writing stories. I’ve been doing it since I learned how to print. But it wasn’t until I was around 10 years old that I started thinking I might be able to do it as a career. It just hadn’t occurred to me before then! I knew from the start I’d want to be writing novels—I’ve always found fiction more fun to play with than nonfiction.

What jobs did you have on your way to being a writer? Did they help you in any way as a writer?
Most of my jobs have involved working with kids. I started out babysitting and working for a rec center, and for the last nine years I’ve been tutoring kids with special needs. I’ve learned a lot about psychology, which I think helps in developing my characters. I’ve also gotten to see first hand the sort of stories that will hold the attention of a hesitant reader, and the sort that won’t.

When and where do you usually write?
I prefer to write in the morning and early afternoon, which works out well because I usually go to my day job in the late afternoon and evening. One third of my bedroom is my “office” area, with my desk, bookshelves for research, kids/YA, and genre books, and my special writing chair. Pretty much all of my novel drafting happens in that chair, on my laptop, which has no internet access to limit distractions.

Is there something that is a must have for you to be able to write?
Silence or white noise. I can’t write if there’s a loud conversation or a jarring noise going on nearby. It makes it nearly impossible for me to focus. Thankfully that’s not usually a problem writing at home!

What author or book most influenced you as a writer or in general?
I would say as a writer I was probably most influenced by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. She writes a lot of books that have an element that feels magical, but often is just the magic of everyday life, not something supernatural. I’ve always tried to ground the fantastical elements of my stories in real life as much as possible because I think there’s something exciting about the sense that “magic” of a sort could be just around the corner, even if its subtle.

Can you tell us anything about your next YA novel?
Not very much, but I can say it will almost certainly involve ghosts, though not in the same way as GIVE UP THE GHOST.

The Hiding Spot is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Is there a place, activity, or person that is your hiding spot?
Hmmm. I guess the closest thing I have is traveling. I love visiting another country and having an adventure that’s separate from my regular life, away from the usual responsibilities and concerns.

Anything else you would like to share with us?
I’m going to be doing an event in New York City with some of the 2009 Debs in early December—keep an eye on the blog (http://community.livejournal.com/debut2009 ) for details!

Thank you, Megan, for taking the time to answer some questions!

Check out my review of GIVE UP THE GHOST, here!

Review: Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

Title: Give Up the Ghost
Author: Megan Crewe
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pub. Date: September 2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Ghosts, Popularity, Bullying, Friendship, Family, Depression
Pages: 244
Plot (from back of arc):
"Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts to "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable. They know the dirt on everybody... and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.
But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help contacting his recently deceased mother, but Cass is less than enthusiastic.
Kicking and screaming, Cass becomes increasingly intwined in Tim's life. And she's more surprised than anyone when she realizes that some living people aren't so bad if she'd only give them a chance..."

I adored this book, to put it mildly. It pulled me in right from the beginning and refused to let me go!

The entire book was wonderfully written and imagined. Cass was a girl that I found extremely easy to relate to - especially her sarcasm. I loved that the author showed Cass' tough side as well as her softer, more vulnerable side that she usually keeps hidden from her peers.

I often find that authors add unneeded details to the plot - just to make it more interesting, but Megan Crewe not only had reason for every detail, everything was wrapped up at the end. I was left completely satisfied when I finished this book - which never happens! Cass' bullying, her family life, her new relationship with Tim - all wrapped up perfectly.

I really enjoyed the ghosts of the story. Paige was a wonderful older sister, even in death, even if she didn't know she was - or was in ways that she didn't even mean to be. Another favorite was Norris... I had fun trying to imagine him while he was living - he was such a colorful character. I have to mention that I love this book's dust jacket! On the cover you can see a ghost whispering in Cass' ear and Norris leaning against the lockers on the back cover. I think it fits the novel perfectly!

There is even a dash of romance, but it borders on being only a friendship. Even though I ususally like books with a romantic plot line, and this book's is minimal, I still was kept interested throughout the novel.

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10/NA
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!)

Read this book! I was fortunate enough to win a copy, but if I hadn't I definitely would have bought this book! It is remarkable that this is Megan's Crewe's debut novel - it is AMAZING!

Check out my interview with Megan, here!

This book was reviewed as part of One ARC Tours.