Just finished recent YA release What Happens Next by debut (Ohio) author, Colleen Clayton. All I can say is "wow"! This woman can write.
This is what you might call an "issues" book dealing with the aftermath of a teen rape, so not light holiday reading at all, but the subject matter is handled sensitively with highs and lows and doesn't focus on "issues", but rather on coping and going on with life. Also, forming relationships and learning about trust are large themes here.
The book is somewhat reminiscent of Laurie Halse Anderson's 's Speak, although the set-up is different and the main character quite distinctive. In What Happens Next, the protagonist (Cassidy a.k.a. "Sid") deals with body image issues, peer group issues, identity issues and all the other things a teenage girl would be dealing with, including first love. However, her life is complicated by a terrible incident at the beginning of the book that she has to try and get past as best she can.
The writing is warm and sensitive and all the characters are beautifully drawn and believable. Clayton also plays with typical high school stereotypes (cheerleaders, stoners, nerds etc) and digs beneath their surfaces to get at what makes them tick, and to cast aside some common misonceptions. Thus, the secondary characters play powerful and important roles in Sid's life and her story. While the book deals with sex and rape, it is not graphic and would be a good teaching tool and discussion-opener for parents concerned about their kids being safe and responsible. It would be very accessible for teen audiences and really ought to be read. I hope Clayton keeps writing because I suspect she'll very soon be (if she's not already) an important new voice in YA writing.
This is what you might call an "issues" book dealing with the aftermath of a teen rape, so not light holiday reading at all, but the subject matter is handled sensitively with highs and lows and doesn't focus on "issues", but rather on coping and going on with life. Also, forming relationships and learning about trust are large themes here.
The book is somewhat reminiscent of Laurie Halse Anderson's 's Speak, although the set-up is different and the main character quite distinctive. In What Happens Next, the protagonist (Cassidy a.k.a. "Sid") deals with body image issues, peer group issues, identity issues and all the other things a teenage girl would be dealing with, including first love. However, her life is complicated by a terrible incident at the beginning of the book that she has to try and get past as best she can.
The writing is warm and sensitive and all the characters are beautifully drawn and believable. Clayton also plays with typical high school stereotypes (cheerleaders, stoners, nerds etc) and digs beneath their surfaces to get at what makes them tick, and to cast aside some common misonceptions. Thus, the secondary characters play powerful and important roles in Sid's life and her story. While the book deals with sex and rape, it is not graphic and would be a good teaching tool and discussion-opener for parents concerned about their kids being safe and responsible. It would be very accessible for teen audiences and really ought to be read. I hope Clayton keeps writing because I suspect she'll very soon be (if she's not already) an important new voice in YA writing.
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