Flash Burnout by L. K. Madigan
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Sep.16, 2010, under Art, Real life, Romance, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Readers, 8th grade and up, who like a first person narrator trying to come to terms with real life, high school situations.
More? Blake, 16, seems to have an ideal setup. He has a beautiful, fun girlfriend, Shannon, and an entertaining, supportive family (though his big brother, Garrick, loves to give him a bad time). In his photography class, he makes friends with another girl, Marissa, who has significant family problems. She has no father and her mother is addicted to meth. After Blake inadvertently takes a photograph of Marissa’s mom when she is unconscious, Blake and Marissa become good friends. This “triangle” complicates Blake’s life, as do the turns that Marissa takes as she tries to follow her own dreams while supporting her mother’s efforts at recovery. Photography brings Blake and Marissa closer together, and the text is enriched by quotes from photographers that open each chapter. The strong message of the book is delivered by Blake’s mom: “actions have consequences.” Blake discovers this message the hard way as he tries to “have it all.” Readers should be ready for some mature content.
The details: 332 p. 2009 Review by Samrarian
