Random Reads

Prey by Lurlene McDaniel

     McDaniel deviates from her normal tearjerkers to deliver this tale of forbidden love.  Ms. Lori Settles is the new teacher in 15 year old Ryan's high school.  What sets her apart from all the other teachers is that she is hot, dresses provacatively, and wears stiletto heels to school.  All the males oogle her and want her attention.  Lori singles out Ryan and they begin an inappropriate relationship which quickly turns sexual.  Ryan's father is a traveling salesman and his mother is dead so he is able to visit Lori quite often.  Eventually, he becomes estranged from his friends as the affair intensifies.  Don't be fooled by the brevity of this novel.  This short, quick read explores what happens when a teacher crosses the line.  Although this tale has been told before, McDaniel cleverly addresses the aftermath and readers may be a little surprised.

Boy Toy by Barry Lyga

   This book is for older teens!  Joshua is 12 years old when he has an ongoing sexual relationship with his history teacher Eve.  She basically takes advantage of Josh and they are eventually caught.  Fast forward 5 years later and Eve is released from prison.  The novel explores the healing and recovery process that Josh experiences as he tries to live a normal life.  Josh has flashbacks that fills in the gaps regarding the affair.  This is easily one of the best written teen novels that deals with this troubling subject matter.  There is some sexual content so I would advise this novel for much older teens.  Fans of How It's Done or Teach Me will think this novel is far superior because of the emotional process the main character experiences in a highly believeable setting.

Gone by Kathleen Jeffrie Johnson

  Connor has graduated high school and will be 18 in a few weeks.  He lives with his aunt because his father is in a care facility and his mother is a recovering alcoholic.  He engages in a sexual relationship with his 31 year old teacher.  The novel follows Connor and his best friend Zach as they work their fast food job and basically deal with life before the next phase occurs.  Connor's relationship with Ms. Simms is not very believeable since he has already graduated and he will turn 18 in a few short weeks.  The novel would have been better written if Connor was still in high school and a current student of Ms. Simms rather than a former student.  I was slightly confused what the main point of the novel was supposed to be but decided it is a coming of age novel about a young man finding his way in the world.  The ending was too abrubt and I was taken aback how the novel ended.  Some teens may enjoy this novel but I would stick to Johnson's earlier work.

     Carolina is a senior in high school when she falls in love with her language teacher, Mr. Mann.  They share a similar interest in Emily Dickinson.  He begins to visit Carolina at the restaurant where she works.  One night, they sneak behind the local Wal-Mart where they have their first of many kisses.  The affair turns sexual once Carolina turns 18.  Carolina seems very sophisticated for her age but once Mr. Mann abruptly breaks off the affair, she engages in some childish behavior by seeking revenge in destructive ways.  After breaking up with Carolina, he marries someone else.  Eventually the truth is revealed as to the shot gun marriage and Carolina is able to seek closure.  The novel characterizes Mr. Mann as a sympathetic character despite his offensive conduct.  Carolina, on the other hand, is a very complex character and readers will be drawn to her in order to better understand the way she thinks and feels.

How It's Done by Christine Kole MacLean

   Grace is 18 years old and has only a short time until graduation.  Her household is ruled by her strict, overprotective, and highly religous father who makes her life unbearable.  A chance meeting with Michael, a 26 year old college professor, turns Grace's life upside down.  Grace and Michael begin a relationship that rapidly turns into love.  With Michael, Grace sees the opportunity to escape home and sees another possible world through him that she didn't  think possible.  At first, Grace enjoys being with an older, more mature man.  People at school begin to notice her and start gossiping about her.  Their relationship changes as their age difference causes complications and Grace begins to have second thoughts as she realizes that being with an older man isn't all its cracked up to be. MacLean gives a candid glimpse of a girl on the brink of adulthood who must make some tough choices.  I was enthralled with Grace's tale and thought the realistic portrayal of a brief chapter in her life was handled with great sensitivity and MacLean brings a fresh voice in her character. 

Derailed by Jon Ripslinger

     Stony is a senior in high school and on the football team with a dedicated girlfriend Mindy.  He assumes that upon graduation, he'll marry Mindy and take a job in the quarry like his father and grandfather did.  Stony meets with his coach who informs him that that he must pull up his grades if wants to stay eligible for the football team.  He obtains a tutor and suddenly Stony's future is derailed.  Robyn, his tutor and fellow student, is a single mother who helps Stony bring his grades up.  His future seems open with possibilities and college is even an option.  Stony and Robyn form a relationship but will Robyn's secret past threaten their future together?  Read to find out.