Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Some Boys by Patty Blount

Grace was raped by Zac, the school's most popular athlete. No one believes her. To everyone, she is trying to ruin Zac's life. Her own friends turn against her. To everyone, she is a slut.

Grace could run (her mother wants her to study in Europe), but she will not let her life be dictated by others. She is going to dress in her dark clothes no matter how much attention she gets (against the wishes of her dad and stepmother). Grace knows the truth and even though the police will not do anything she will not let Zac and his followers win.

Ian, Zac's best friend, liked Grace. In the world of unspoken guy rules: since Zac had Grace, she is off limits to Ian. Besides, she is accusing his best friend of rape. Grace must have wanted it - the way she was dressed at the party, the way she was drinking and dancing. She didn't fight off Zac when they were off together in the dark. She let him take off her clothes.

Over spring break, Grace and Ian find themselves together all alone in the school cleaning lockers. Ian is there after suffering a concussion that may end his athletic career and scholarship hopes. Grace is being punished - more fallout from the rape. After all, it's always her fault.

Grace and Ian's story is a powerful one. He is torn between his growing faith in Grace and loyalty to his friend. She is forever facing the verbal assault of others while trying to out Zac for who he really is. Ian is confused and reasonable. Grace is strong and vulnerable. Lots of questions with no easy answers, but a story worth reading.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.




Monday, December 21, 2015

Gone Too Far by Natalie D. Richards

How did a popular girl like Stella end up getting killed by a train? Piper has good idea how. She has seen the video that was posted on a school website. She was there in the hallway when Stella was being ridiculed by the same jocks who made the video and posted it. Piper just stood there and did nothing to stop it. Even if Stella was alone at the railroad crossing, others had a hand in her death.

Piper avoids the jocks and cheerleaders. She is not a part of the popular crowd (like Stella was), so she did not know Stella well. Still, Piper should have said something that day in the hallway. Someone needs to do something to stop the bullies and jerks who practically run the school and get away with everything. Maybe its not too late to do something.

An anonymous text offers Piper the chance to do just that. She just has to give the texter a name and he/she will do the rest. Piper will be told when it is going to happen so she can capture it all with her camera. For her first target she chooses the person most responsible for Stella's humiliation.

Revenge sounds like a good idea, but it can get out of hand. And does it really make you any better than your targets? Piper is drawn further into the scheme by this mysterious texter. How can she find out who it is without her secrets being exposed, too.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.



Saturday, December 5, 2015

The Edge of Forever by Melissa E. Hurst

In 2146, time travel is possible. But only for those with a specific gene. Bridger has the gene and is on training trip to the year 2076 to witness the assassination of the president. Bridger and his fellow cadets wear cloaking devices so as to not be seen while they record specific aspects of the event. It is most important to not disrupt the timeline.

In the chaos of the assassination, Bridger separates from his mission partner (and girlfriend) Vika. He sees his dad, a fellow time traveler who died months ago. His father's only words, "Save Alora, son." Bridger knows his father was never assigned to this time period. He also has no idea who Alora is and why she needs to be saved. If it involves time travel, Bridger's father is asking him to break the law.

Alora lives in 2013 with her aunt in a small Georgia town. At the age of six, her father left her there and has not been seen since. Alora's aunt refuses to tell her anything about her parents, so Alora must find any information she can even if it means breaking her aunt's rules. She is just starting to uncover things (in her aunt's room and the attic) when a guy named Bridger appears.

Bridger was never supposed to interact with Alora, but an injury upon his arrival makes that impossible. Why is Alora so important and can he save her without messing up the timeline? These are only two of the many questions that make the story so intriguing.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog.