"This is Not a Drill" by Beck McDowell

I've wanted to read This is Not a Drill for quite some time now. I knew it would be a fairly difficult read because of the subject matter, but that it would also be an important book. Emery and Jake help teach French to a class of first graders. They do their best to push emotions from their past aside so that they can teach the children. During a normal class, one of the students' parents arrives to pick up his son. However, when the teacher won't allow him to take the child without following procedure, he loses his cool and begins to threaten the class with a gun. Before they know it, it's up to Emery and Jake to keep the children safe and try to figure out how to get out.

I had high expectations for this book and am happy to say that they were met. McDowell has touched upon a very important subject. Unfortunately we live in a world that contains too much senseless violence and it's something that seems to surround us every day. Emery and Jake's story could happen anytime and anywhere. This book is a real eye opener about how easy it can be to find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time and end up in horrible danger. I feel that McDowell has written a wonderful book and does a great job of capturing the situation and emotions.

My only complaint about this book (kind of spoilers) is when they gain internet access and begin to communicate with the outside world. I am very lucky to have never been in such a situation, but it seems like police and other officials would have taken charge of the situation as soon as they realized some of the hostages were able to communicate, but instead the teens were able to communicate with their friends in addition to officials. This seemed strange to me, but again, I have nothing to compare to.

To state the obvious, this book is kind of intense so I don't recommend it to really young readers or those who don't like a lot of danger and suspense in their reading. I do feel this is an important book and probably a good one for parents to share with their children. It's probably not the best book to read right before bed (I say this as someone who has had far too many active shooter nightmares), but still hope that people read this book because the insight it provides could be very valuable.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Anna and the Franch Kiss" by Stephanie Perkins

It seemed that every other book blogger on the face of the planet was absolutely raving about Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins so of course I had to read it.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the heck out of this book but at the same time I didn’t feel that it was as amazing as I expected it to be.  I suppose I was expecting the Harry Potter of teen romance?  Despite the book not quite meeting my expectation, it was still a really fun read!

Anna is about to start her senior year of high school in the most romantic city in the world- and she isn’t too thrilled about it.  She has no desire to leave her best friend or Toph (her co-worker and crush/almost boyfriend) and she doesn’t know a word of French.  But her father has sent her to Paris anyway.  It takes some time, but Anna starts to make friends in this new city.  And more importantly she meets Étienne St. Clair, the most wonderful British/American guy in France who conveniently has a girlfriend.  Anyone that has ever read a book or seen a movie with a romantic plot immediately knows that Anna is eventually going to fall for St. Clair, it’s just a matter of time.  Just like in a Taylor Swift song, Anna and St. Clair become extremely close but because Anna knows he has a girlfriend, there is nothing she can do about it.  The reader spends the majority of the book waiting for St. Clair to break-up with Ellie (sadly a name I love was given to a rather unpleasant character) and to get together with Anna.  But will that ever happen (don’t worry, I won’t spoil it for you).  Another element of this book that is fairly important is Anna’s love of cinema.  Back in her hometown of Atlanta, she worked in a movie theatre and dreamed of being a professional movie reviewer.  In Paris she discovers that the city shares her love and spends a good portion of her evening soaking up the flickering lights of the big screen.  I felt that Anna was a well developed character and enjoyed that her likes and interests where an important part of the story.

This book felt very familiar.  There was nothing horribly surprising about it and it deals with themes extremely common in YA literature.  However, I fell that it is well written and well researched.  As I was reading it, I felt that the characters and their actions where believable.  Overall I really enjoyed this book and felt that it would be perfect read for a lazy afternoon.

You can expect my review of Perkins’ companion book, Lola and the BoyNext Door within a few days (I am loving it!).

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

Phenomenal!  Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why follows the story of Clay,  a teenage boy that has just discovered thirteen self recorded audio tapes on his front porch.  The tapes contain the confessions of Hannah, a classmates of Clay's that has recently killed herself.  Each tape has the story of someone in Hannah's life and why they were a part of her decision to commit suicide.  The tapes are being sent from person to person until each of the thirteen have listened to them.  The readers go along with Clay and Hannah on one night, and on one incredible journey that will change Clay forever.

Though Clay is the main character, Hannah is the main narrator.  The majority of the book is made up of Hannah's recordings intermixed with the  Clay's reality as he follows her instructions to go from one location in town to another.  This book is extremely powerful.  Readers cannot help but relate to Hannah's plight as she describes some of the torments she lived with day in and day out.  It also has a difficult outcome.  You go into the book knowing that the final outcome will not change- Hannah will never make an actual appearance in the story.  I rarely cry over books, but I came close with this one.  A heart breaking book with jaw dropping moments, but a book that should none-the-less by on your reading list if it isn't already.

Visit Jay's Blog, Facebook, and Twitter!

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Gotcha!" by Shelley Hrdlitschka

Senior year involves many traditions; pictures, yearbooks, applying for colleges and scholarships.  Slippery Rock High had it's own tradition, a game called Gotcha!  But this year the school has put an end to the game because of the damage caused in the past.  The students aren't happy with the decision and make a plan to continue the game outside of school.  This is where we meet Katie.

Katie world is beginning to fall apart.  Her father has recently moved out, she's struggling to earn enough money to pay for college (not to mention all of her graduation expenses), and she's really not interested in playing Gotcha.  She isn't interested in taking part in the game, but feels pressured by other students and her role on the student council, so she signs up to play.  Almost as soon as the game begins, so do the problems.  Friends are betraying each other in hopes of winning the game (and the $2120 prize money).  Students are becoming paranoid and refuse to go anywhere alone or allow their classmates into their houses.  And this is just the start.  What will happen when the stakes become even higher?

The characters in the book are very real.  Though I don't always approve of the actions of the characters (Katie included), I can easily believe that people would act this way in real life.  This book is also a real eye-opener.  I have often seen news stories and wondered how the situation escalated so far.  I think this book is a fairly accurate portrayal of how a fun game can become total mayhem.

I read this book a few years ago and enjoyed it.  As I re-read it, I still liked the book, though I did get angry at Katie towards the end of the book.  Based on her actions throughout the rest of the novel, her character seemed to change completely for a few chapters.  But overall this is a great read.  Shelley Hrdlitschka has written quite a few books.  In addition to Gotcha!, I have also read Sister Wife, Dancing Naked, and Kat's Fall, all of which are books I would recommend.

Happy Reading (and Black Friday shopping)!
-Melly