I read the book Wonder when it came out. Well, I listened to the audiobook. It was great, except I listened in my car. If you haven't read it, you should; if you have, well, you know that sobbing mid-commute isn't the safest.
The Scar Boys by Len Vlahos is kind of like Wonder for a slightly older crowd. It's Wonder on sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll (not necessarily in that order).
When Harbinger Jones was 8 years old, he was tied to a tree that was struck by lightning. His face was horribly burned. After years of being bullied, he is rescued by his new friend Johnny. The two start a band, and onstage Harry can just be. Watching the journey of the band, friendships, love, and family is both humorous and heart wrenching. Told by Harry as a letter to the Faceless Admissions Professional, as part of a college application, we are transported back to high school in the 80s. And we will laugh and cry right along with him.
I liked this more than I anticipated (I know, I hate admitting that I wasn't thrilled about starting a book). Part of it has to do with my love for Freaks & Geeks (and since it's the same time frame, and both have great soundtracks...). As I read, though, I found I really related to Harry. While I don't have anxiety to the extreme he does, I do have it. His attempting to explain it was so spot-on, and it's one of those things that unless someone experiences it- they don't get it. I absolutely empathized with his panic attack.
It's a great coming-of-age novel, and Harry's narration is both sarcastic and heartfelt. His use of vocabulary is great (and he lets you know they're SAT words, so pay attention kids!) You forget he's writing to the FAP- until, of course, he addresses him/her.
The story of how he got his name was great- I've actually flipped back to that twice since finishing the book, just to re-read it. I also liked the soundtrack that accompanied each chapter. They should sell the book with a CD (or, whatever, a playlist code...QR code...thing).
The Scar Boys will appeal to teens, and I think especially teen boys. It's a story of love, rock'n'roll, friends, family, bullying, heartbreak, and coming into one's own. I think they will also relate to the scenarios that go through Harry's head, along with the options he ends up choosing. It's hard enough being a teenager, but throw in horrible scarring and it's got to be almost unbearable. Teens will appreciate Harry's courage and chutzpah, and will hopefully be inspired to go forth, do great things, and follow their dreams.
The Scar Boys is published by Egmont USA. Review copy graciously provided by publisher.
Release Date: 01.21.2014
Does anyone remember the show Wonderfalls? With the French-Canadian girl that worked in a Niagara Falls gift shop, and random tchotchkes would come to life in front of her and give her cryptic messages? And Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies, etc) was her brother? I loved that show. Which of course means it got canceled too soon.
Reading the description for The Theory of Everything by Kari Luna, my thoughts first went toward The Big Bang Theory (String Theory and Physics and all). However, when I got to the part about Sophie Sophia seeing things others don't see, and having a Shaman Panda to guide her...my mind went straight back to Wonderfalls, and my thoughts went to "Read this. Read this NOW!"
Sophie Sophia is fourteen years old, and she sees things that others don't see. Things like baby black bears raining from the sky, marching band pandas, and playing guitar with The Cure. She listens to mix-tapes (late 80s bands) on a Walkman, and wears funky clothing with fun-shaped pockets. Her father is a theoretical physicist at NYU who also sees things others don't see. He left four years ago, and now it seems he's disappeared completely. Sophie's Mom has settled them in Havencrest, Illinois (New York City it is not), where Sophie isn't exactly fitting in. Armed with her new friend Finny and Walt, her shaman panda, Sophie tries to find her father. Set to a soundtrack from The Smiths, The Cure, U2 and such, it is an adventure in string theory, friendship, the extraordinary, and most importantly- love.
The Theory of Everything is a smart, quirky, funny YA novel (with a bit of mystery thrown in). I loved Sophie- she was such a charming, intelligent character. She's an outsider, who's built up walls. Seeing her friendship with Finny develop was such a highlight of the story. I just wanted to give her a hug. I really connected with Sophie (quirky kids unite!), and there's a point in her friendship with Finny where walls come down and I just sobbed with her.
As a chronic listmaker, I got such a kick out of the lists she creates throughout the book, like "How to Survive Going to a New School" and "How to Survive Going to School After an Episode." And I enjoyed the evolution of those lists from the start of school to learning to let people in.
This was a fantastic book, and one that I would enjoy reading again. Annnd it helped me, even after 6 seasons of The Big Bang Theory, sorta kinda understand String Theory (so yay!) I would recommend it to anyone interested in String Theory, Late-80s music, Being Yourself, and Pandas (especially Shaman Pandas).
The Theory of Everything is published by Philomel Books (Penguin USA). Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.
Release Date: 07.11.13
