Review of Finally Thirteen!
Posted: 28 Apr 2024, 00:35
[Following is a volunteer review of "Finally Thirteen!" by Richard Read.]
Richard Read’s "Finally Thirteen!" is a coming-of-age novel for young adults set in Columbus, Ohio, and features junior-high schoolers (seventh graders) Cali, Tab, Skyler, and Otis, as well as a host of other memorable characters: Talia, Mohini, and Pablo, to name a few. Written in a candid and conversational style, the book moves quickly. School dances, picnics, sleepovers, football and wrestling matches, and school projects to try out starting new businesses keep the reader going. A parent-teacher romance, a rave party, and government bureaucracy shutting a successful competing business down all add spice to the story without slowing it down. The author also uses the local goons dealing in illegal drugs to add twists and turns to the tale.
Even if you haven’t read any of the earlier books in the series, this one catches you up on some of the key happenings, like the monkey kidnapping, so you don’t feel left out. Skyler keeps the comedy track moving, while Calista proves to be a role model for young girls. Mr. Taylos and Mrs.Cooper, the school principal, exemplify good educators.
The book emphasizes the need for assertiveness while having fun, a prized takeaway for many young readers. It is quite sensitive in its handling of teen and pre-teen issues, such as puberty, drug use, parental controls, and bullying. The writer effectively uses conversations to show how to handle tricky conversations with young adults without being preachy, making this a valuable read for parents of young adults too. The other highlight is the use of songs and music lyrics to show the characters’ emotions, with both popular new tracks and old romantic melodies finding frequent mention.
Though I spotted a few typos, they did not detract from the reasonably fast-paced plot of the book. I did not find anything to dislike in the book and would wholeheartedly give it 5 out of 5 stars. The book deals with sensitive teen issues using relatable characters and events, making it a great read for pre-teens and teens, as well as their parents. The novel is convincing because the responses from the parents and teenagers are done just right. The parallel track with the drug dealers and their villainous ways keeps you on edge, especially in the climax. You'll be itching to read more from the author and the series after reading this one!
******
Finally Thirteen!
View: on Bookshelves
Richard Read’s "Finally Thirteen!" is a coming-of-age novel for young adults set in Columbus, Ohio, and features junior-high schoolers (seventh graders) Cali, Tab, Skyler, and Otis, as well as a host of other memorable characters: Talia, Mohini, and Pablo, to name a few. Written in a candid and conversational style, the book moves quickly. School dances, picnics, sleepovers, football and wrestling matches, and school projects to try out starting new businesses keep the reader going. A parent-teacher romance, a rave party, and government bureaucracy shutting a successful competing business down all add spice to the story without slowing it down. The author also uses the local goons dealing in illegal drugs to add twists and turns to the tale.
Even if you haven’t read any of the earlier books in the series, this one catches you up on some of the key happenings, like the monkey kidnapping, so you don’t feel left out. Skyler keeps the comedy track moving, while Calista proves to be a role model for young girls. Mr. Taylos and Mrs.Cooper, the school principal, exemplify good educators.
The book emphasizes the need for assertiveness while having fun, a prized takeaway for many young readers. It is quite sensitive in its handling of teen and pre-teen issues, such as puberty, drug use, parental controls, and bullying. The writer effectively uses conversations to show how to handle tricky conversations with young adults without being preachy, making this a valuable read for parents of young adults too. The other highlight is the use of songs and music lyrics to show the characters’ emotions, with both popular new tracks and old romantic melodies finding frequent mention.
Though I spotted a few typos, they did not detract from the reasonably fast-paced plot of the book. I did not find anything to dislike in the book and would wholeheartedly give it 5 out of 5 stars. The book deals with sensitive teen issues using relatable characters and events, making it a great read for pre-teens and teens, as well as their parents. The novel is convincing because the responses from the parents and teenagers are done just right. The parallel track with the drug dealers and their villainous ways keeps you on edge, especially in the climax. You'll be itching to read more from the author and the series after reading this one!
******
Finally Thirteen!
View: on Bookshelves