Smackdown Books 2021

Ordinary Hazards
We Dream of Space
If These Wings Could Fly
We Are Not Free
The King of Jam Sandwiches
All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team
The Companion
Punching the Air
Show Me a Sign
Land of the Cranes
Furia
Dragon Hoops
When Stars Are Scattered
Snapdragon
The Radium Girls: The Scary But True Story of the Poison That Made People Glow in the Dark
American as Paneer Pie
Tune It Out
The Gilded Ones
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
Switch

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Split vs. Stupid Fast



Stupid Fast got stupid fast!!
Stupid Fast tells the story of Felton and his dysfunctional family.  His father committed suicide when Felton was 5, and his hippy mother is just now beginning to fall apart.  Felton is growing fast and becoming athletic, and his sudden likeness to his dead father is the undoing of his mother.
Stupid Fast seems like a book intended to engage junior high boys.  It probably would have succeeded if there had been more humour, more action and more story!!  Some boys might like the book, but it's not one that we would recommend often.
On the other hand Split was immediately engaging.  It's the story of Jace, a 16 year old who escapes from his abusive father and goes to stay with his older brother Chris, who escaped years earlier. Jace and Chris have to come to terms with their new situation, the idea of leaving their mother behind, and Jace's worry that he might be just like his father. The story is suspenseful and has some dark spots, and is able to keep the reader's attention throughout.
Guess which one we chose as the winner??
Believe it or not, we completely agreed that Split is the winner!!
Barb and Mona

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