Category: teen

Author: Diana L. Sharples
Publisher: Blink
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-0-310-73497-0
Pages: 400
Price: $12.99

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Calvin lost his soldier brother, and Stacey has been his source of support in his grief. But Stacey is fighting demons of her own that Calvin is only beginning to see. Her constant dieting has gone to an extreme, and now Calvin is worried for her health. His research has led him to believe she is suffering from anorexia.

As Calvin tries to reach Stacey and offer to find her some assistance, Stacey pulls away, determined to stay in control, no matter what the cost. Calvin doesn’t want to lose her, too, but nothing he says or does makes any difference. Should he continue to stick by her, or should he walk away and let her kill herself?

Stacey is a sweet girl who is scared to truly be herself, convinced that her self-worth is based on how skinny she is. Calvin is a model boyfriend, caring and compassionate in his quest to help Stacey. Both have faith in God that is wavering a bit in the midst of their turmoil.

Anorexia and bulimia are serious illnesses that claim many lives each year. In an effort to lose weight, girls starve themselves to the point they are literally skin and bones. Running Lean highlights these eating disorders as Stacey and Calvin struggle with the effects. Intervention is essential, and Stacey’s life can only change for the better if she gets help. This sweet romance is a thought-provoking and enjoyable read for teens.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Hollis Seamon
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-1-61620-260-6
Pages: 256
Price: $16.95

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Richard Casey, seventeen years old, is in the hospice unit of the hospital. But even though they’ve told him he’s got less than a month left, he’s not done living yet. In fact, he’s more than ready to make love to the fifteen year-old girl, also in the ward, who doesn’t want to die a virgin. Richard is determined to be the biggest troublemaker the hospital staff have ever seen.

But Richard is under constant watch by the hospital staff, parents and other family members who hover around the ward 24-7, and the “Br’ers” as he calls them – religious staff there to assist in the transition from life to death. All Richard wants to do is have some fun, but no one wants to let him.

A book about dying teenagers would probably only appeal to the more morbid of us. But Hollis Seamon has done a magnificent job of portraying these teens in such a real light. They’re just teens – not adults – and they’re not willing to give up their spunk and personality, no matter what. Even though there is no doubt from the beginning how the story will ultimately end, this is not a depressing tale. My only disappointment is that no one in the story expresses any concern about the afterlife, and how to make sure one ends up in the right place. Overall, this is a great teen read.

Warnings: sexual situations and language

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Jenny Torres Sanchez
Publisher: Running Press
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-0-7624-4680-3
Pages: 272
Price: $9.95

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Frenchie Garcia is having a rough time. Although she tries to be upbeat while hanging out with her friends, her mood is morbid and she’s easily ruffled. Her dark secret won’t let her go. Frenchie was the last person to see Andy Cooper alive, before he committed suicide, and now she wonders why he chose to spent his last night with her.

Frenchie had a crush on Andy, and when he suggested a grand adventure, she happily went along for the ride. Now, months have passed, and she wonders what really happened that night. When Colin suddenly appears in her life and offers his friendship and maybe more, Frenchie decides the best way to find out what Andy was doing is to relive the whole night with Colin.

Colin is a wonderful support for Frenchie, going along with her scheme with no complaints. As she revisits the places Andy took her that night, she finally finds peace with her inability to see what he was planning and stop him from committing suicide.

Frenchie is a compassionate and caring girl who feels Andy’s loss deeply. As she works through her own grieving process, she comes to understand Andy and herself better, finally freeing herself from the unconscious burdens she placed on herself as his protector. And once she frees herself from the past, she’s finally able to move forward into her own future. I really enjoyed Death, Dickenson, and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia, and I highly recommend it for teenagers and young adults.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Elaine Wolf
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-1-61608-657-2
Pages: 256
Price: $16.95

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Amy Becker is living in a dysfunctional household with a dominant mother, a father who won’t stand up to her, and a disabled brother. She is overly protective of her brother, Charlie, and has no desire to go to camp for the summer. Who would take care of Charlie while she’s gone? But her worst fears can’t begin to live up to what she faces once she gets there.

A bully named Rory has decided to punish Amy, and some of the other girls go along with her, including Amy’s own cousin Robin. Robin’s father, Uncle Ed, owns the camp, and Amy has to watch her actions, or Robin could cause trouble for her at home. Luckily, one of the other girls, Erin, has decided to be befriend Amy, and the two spend time together away from Rory. But soon Robin starts hinting about Amy’s mother’s past, and Amy starts remembering things from her childhood.

This story takes place first at camp, but then spans several years after the summer is over. In the latter portion, Amy’s mother finally opens up to Amy about her difficult past in Germany, and Amy comes to forgive her.

Camp is a fast-paced novel that hooks the reader from the beginning, but loses its momentum once camp ends. Although most of the secrets are then revealed, the ending felt somewhat anti-climactic, and some of her mother’s actions are never explained.

WARNING: There are graphic sexual references in this book that may be inappropriate for younger readers.

Reviewer: Alice Berger