Book Review: Learning to Swear in America

LEARNING TO SWEAR IN AMERICA by Katie Kennedy tells the humorous story of a teen physicist enlisted to save the world from an asteroid.

When seventeen-year old physicist Yuri arrives in American to help NASA stop an Earth-killing asteroid, he finds his work environment frustrating. However after meeting Dovie and her family he slowly begins to understand American culture… just in time for the end of the world. Although somewhat predictable, the “teen saves the world” plot line is generally a hit with young people.

Librarians will find this young adult novel’s quirky characters and dark humor enjoyable and easy to sell to teens. The unusual combination of the near apocalyptic science with the humorous romantic elements add to the appeal.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.katiekennedybooks.com/.

Published by Bloomsbury on July 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: We All Looked Up

WE ALL LOOKED UP by Tommy Wallach tells the story of four high school seniors dealing with the threat of a meteor that could destroy the planet.

Told through chapters with alternating viewpoints, the story focuses on the friendships and relationships among characters rather than the meteor threat itself. Readers who enjoy lots of dialogue and teen angst will be drawn to this work of realistic school fiction with a 66.6% chance of apocalypse. However those expecting a science fiction thriller and a focus on the potential disaster will be disappointed.

This book is best suited for readers who enjoy a meandering social commentary. Young philosophers will enjoy the way each character evolves as they cope with the life-changing news that the world as they know it is over. While the book isn’t for everyone, librarians will find a niche market for it among students who seek out thought-provoking prose.

To learn more about the author or to find out about the book’s companion music album with original songs, go to http://www.tommywallach.com/books.

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on March 21, 2015.