Book Review
Flash Burnout: A Novel
Written by L. K. Madigan
Publisher: Houghton-Mifflin
Publication Date: 10/19/2009
ISBN-13:9780547194899Age 13 and up
For 15 year-old Blake Hewson, life is pretty good. He has parents who understand him, and a brother who generally acts like a typical big brother, but who is there for him when he really needs it. He has an official girlfriend and is starting to learn the complexities of high school boyfriend/girlfriend relationships. He loves making people laugh, and photography. It’s in photography class that he makes friends with easy-going Marissa, the girl with heartbroken eyes. Click. One picture changes everything, and unravels the mystery behind Marissa’s sad eyes.
While Madigan employs the tried and true love triangle theme, Flash Burnout is not your typical teenage tale. Blake’s family might seem stereotypical at first glance, but each member has a depth that is discovered throughout the novel. Blake’s narration is authentic and highlights his thoughts and reactions very realistically. As with every love triangle, eventually a choice must be made, but the resolution to the triangle here is still unexpected.
So many young adult novels are geared toward the teenage girl; this is a great find to place in the hands of teenage boys.
Awards
William C. Morris Award, 2010 Finalist
Leslie Bradshaw Award for Young Literature, 2011
ALA 2010 Best Books for Young Adults
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, November 2009
A Girl Like Me
Simone, N. (2008). A girl like me. New York, NY: Kensington Pub. Corp.
Swim the Fly
This book is geared toward teenage boys as they try to learn how develop relationships with girls. The main character, Matt, volunteers to swim the 100m butterfly race in the swimming championships in an effort to impress a girl, although he isn't really a great swimmer. In the five weeks until the race, Matt and his friends also hope to see a naked girl, and they come up with multiple plots and plans to reach this goal.
Calame, D. (2009). Swim the fly. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press
The Mermaid's Mirror
Sixteen year-old Lena loves the water and wants to learn to surf. Her father, a former surfer, doesn't want to teach her due to a near-drowning incident from his past. After catching a glimpse of a mermaid in the waters one day, Lena vows to see her again, despite the danger.
Madigan, L. K. (2010). The mermaid's mirror. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Why We Broke Up
This is the tale of another breakup, but this time the girl does the breaking up. We relive the story of the relationship between Min and her ex-boyfriend Ed by looking through the box of objects Min leaves on Ed's doorstep. We learn the significance of each object as steps in the relationship as it falters.
Handler, D. (2011). Why we broke up. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.
Between Us and the Moon
The story of Sarah, whose boyfriend has just broken up with her for being a "watcher" instead of a "doer". She decides to reinvent herself by emulating her older sister Scarlett. She soon meets a great new guy, Andrew, who likes her when she lets her own personality through. Sarah falls in love with Andrew, but has lied to him about herself from the beginning. Read to see how she recovers after her breakup and to see if her new relationship with Andrew can last.
Maizel, R. (2015). Between us and the moon. New York, NY: Harper Teen/Harper Collins.
