by Dennis E. Fishel ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 2, 2020
An amusing coming-of-age tale that nicely blends mischief with growing maturity.
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Two Seattle teenagers in 1960 conceive pranks that sometimes backfire in this debut YA novel.
In the last moments of English class before summer vacation begins, 13-year-old Dennis Fishel can barely pay attention to his teacher’s reflections on an Emily Dickinson poem: “Even the smallest things we do in kindness for others can not only help us feel better about ourselves, but make our world a little brighter.” Though Dennis isn’t a bully like Russell Folmer, a neighbor kid and notorious lunch stealer, he doesn’t go out of his way to be kind. When Jay Walters, a boy his age, moves next door, Dennis is more interested in his model-airplane hobby than friendship. But Jay also builds model planes, and the two soon become pals and partners in crime. While Jay’s pranks lead to trouble, he and Dennis often wiggle out by blaming Russell, whom they’re delighted to see punished in their stead. But over time, Dennis learns that appearances aren’t always what they seem—and starts listening to his conscience in a new way. In his tale, author Fishel conjures up one scenario after another of hijinks and schemes that have much anarchic appeal, such as flying a kite armed with dog turds to bomb an enemy. The temptation to follow Jay’s lead is easy to understand. As an only child who’s often at loose ends, Dennis appreciates that “boredom didn’t hang around very long with Jay Walters nearby,” and he gains some courage from his friend. Although the boys do pull off some stunts, the story is balanced with consequences—as when they’re caught in a shoplifting plot and are tricked into performing hours of backbreaking unpaid work. When the resolution arrives, it feels earned, not preachy.
An amusing coming-of-age tale that nicely blends mischief with growing maturity.Pub Date: April 2, 2020
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 306
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: May 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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by Laura Nowlin ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2013
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
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SEEN & HEARD
by Holly Jackson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 4, 2020
A treat for mystery readers who enjoy being kept in suspense.
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New York Times Bestseller
Everyone believes that Salil Singh killed his girlfriend, Andrea Bell, five years ago—except Pippa Fitz-Amobi.
Pip has known and liked Sal since childhood; he’d supported her when she was being bullied in middle school. For her senior capstone project, Pip researches the disappearance of former Fairview High student Andie, last seen on April 18, 2014, by her younger sister, Becca. The original investigation concluded with most of the evidence pointing to Sal, who was found dead in the woods, apparently by suicide. Andie’s body was never recovered, and Sal was assumed by most to be guilty of abduction and murder. Unable to ignore the gaps in the case, Pip sets out to prove Sal’s innocence, beginning with interviewing his younger brother, Ravi. With his help, Pip digs deeper, unveiling unsavory facts about Andie and the real reason Sal’s friends couldn’t provide him with an alibi. But someone is watching, and Pip may be in more danger than she realizes. Pip’s sleuthing is both impressive and accessible. Online articles about the case and interview transcripts are provided throughout, and Pip’s capstone logs offer insights into her thought processes as new evidence and suspects arise. Jackson’s debut is well-executed and surprises readers with a connective web of interesting characters and motives. Pip and Andie are white, and Sal is of Indian descent.
A treat for mystery readers who enjoy being kept in suspense. (Mystery. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-9848-9636-0
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: Oct. 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2019
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