One Final Smack!

This round feels anti-climactic for a couple of reasons. First, we'd read all three of these books in previous rounds, so there was nothing new to read. Second, none of the three stand out. Last year we loved both Echo and The War that Saved My Life (and some of us loved Wolf by Wolf too). This year we're not passionate about any of the choices (except for Diane who's passionate about the future vision of Neal Shusterman).

The Hate U Give is important, but we didn't love it. 

Scythe may have more appeal for teens - both boys and girls will connect with it.

Holding Up the Universe was our favourite, but, despite the alternating male and female narrators, it may appeal more to teen aged girls. And it wasn't "important". Obesity and hiding behind masks are significant for teens, but not in the same big way racial discrimination is.

In the end, we're casting our votes 4 for Holding Up the Universe and 1 for Scythe. 

- Renee, Deb, Diane, Alisha - Ottewell

- Jill - Richard Secord