Emily's Reviews

Emily Saulsbery, our Teen Reviewer, gives you some picks for good reads

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The Burn Journals By Brent Runyon
  • Brent Runyon is a troubled kid. He invents this new religion called the Ace of Spades where you have to wear all black and you have to hurt yourself to sacrifice yourself to the god. He tried to slit his wrists so he could bleed to death overnight, but he got lucky and his blood clotted on the carpet. He told his parents that he ran into a locker when they asked him about it. On his last attempt, he ends up in a hospital for more than two years. Brent has tried to kill himself before, but this one is what he hopes to be his last. After an incident at school that he would probably have been suspended for, he thinks of the perfect suicide attempt. He cuts class to go home and try it out. Brent’s plan is to light himself on fire, rather than have his parents mad at him, so he does it. This memoir will make you hate and feel sorry for Brent at the same time during his long and painful recovery. Teens will relate to Brent’s stress and have pity for him at his stay in the hospitals.
  • Middle and High School recommended
Girl, (Nearly) 16, Absolute Torture By Sue Limb
  • In this fast-paced sequel to Girl, 15, Charming but Insane, Jess Jordan’s plans for summer get crushed. Instead of spending all summer with Fred, Jess has to go on a road trip with her mom, her grandma and her grandpa’s ashes in an urn. Their destination: to visit Jess’s dad. Jess’ mom loves history, so (unfortunately for Jess) they stop at every monument along the way and listen to her drone on and on about history.
  • Jess is devastated that she can’t be with Fred, so she texts him every chance she gets. She is worried that he will hook up with Princess-like Flora while she’s gone. Jess sets a goal for herself: to try to get her parents back together. Teens will relate through Jess’ anger about being torn away from Fred for who whole weeks and through the confusion about her parents’ divorce. Girls will be able to relate to this book. If you liked Sue Limb’s first novel, then you will love this one.
  • Middle and High School recommended