Heavy content, but well written

The Sky So Heavy by Claire Zorn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Claire Zorn’s The Sky So Heavy is a bleak and disturbing novel which thrusts the reader into a post-apocalpytic nightmare. Fin and his younger brother, Max, are having dinner with their Dad and stepmum when the unthinkable happens. A nuclear “test” by a neighbouring country (unspecified) has gone terribly wrong and they are plunged into nuclear winter. After an argument, Kara, the stepmum, takes off into the night and Greg, Max and Fin’s dad, goes after her. Fin and Max are left to fend for themselves in a community that is disintegrating around them. No electricity, no telephones, food becomes scarce, their neighbours start dying around them and Fin and Max make the decision to find their Dad. Along the way they draw in Noll (Arnold) an Asian boy whom Fin was guilty of bullying at school, and Fin’s friend Lucy, with whom Fin is in love.
When it becomes obvious that Fin and Max’s Dad is nowhere to be found, the group of survivors try to find their mum, a scientist, who they think will know what is going on and where to find help. Along the way there is danger and death and they are all forced to question their existence and how far they are prepared to go to survive. One way or another they all have to stand up to be counted.
There is definitely a sequel in the offing here as the conclusion is very much up in the air, and I really hope Claire Zorn is writing furiously right now! Due to a bit of swearing and the bleak content I would recommend for readers over the age of 13. A great debut novel.

A Great Vintage

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lindsay Leavitt has written a little gem. Going Vintage has a great style that really captures the inner voice of a teenage girl without being sappy or patronising. Leavitt also manages to impart a little wisdom without being preachy or ramming it down one’s throat, which is where many other writers of YA or children’s lit fail.

Central character, Mallory, is likeable and sympathetic – she has been cheated on by her boyfriend who also has an online girlfriend. After she breaks up with Jeremy, Mallory finds a list written by her grandmother when she was Mallory’s age and it inspires her to try living “60s style”. To do this she disconnects from social media, her moblie phone and her computer. The consequences of this, at school , at home and in her friendships and relationships are more far reaching than she could ever have realised. Mallory’s sister, Ginnie, is her partner in this experiment and proves to be a feisty, strong and steadfast friend too. As the days roll by, Mallory discovers secrets and talents about herself and those around her. The dumping of technology changes her life, not just her love life, and everything becomes harder and challenging. Her parents are fighting and her Mum is secretive, Jeremy is begging her to take him back, Ginnie is looking for her first steady boyfriend, Mallory’s grandmother seems to be pushing her away and then there is Oliver, Jeremy’s cousin. His funny, gorgeous, hipster cousin. Where does he fit in to all of this? Mallory has had a tendancy in the past to quit when things got the better of her, will she quit this time?
As usual, no spoilers, but I can guarantee you will enjoy this tale of romance, family and life choices. A great book for girls who are trying to find out who they are, and for boys who want to know those girls better!
For ages 12 and up.