The characters in this novel, especially high school senior
Jesse Alderman, definitely kept my attention.
Despite some poor decisions and involvement with illegal and/or immoral
activities involving drugs and planting evidence to frame someone, I was
rooting for Jesse to find himself and to feel safe enough to begin truly caring
about others again. The push for his
transformation was Bridget Smalley, a kind, beautiful and almost too good girl.
In order to impress her, Jesse befriends
an elderly man and also starts spending time with physically disabled students.
Along the way, he shares frank opinions about high school, his alcoholic father
and his mother’s death. 
In many ways, Sway is sad and cynical, but I read it in
two days and believe that debut author Kat Spears has created characters with
whom students – both boys and girls – will relate. Fans of Hate List, Dooley
Takes the Fall, The Spectacular Now, and other realistic high school
fiction will like Sway.
A gentler read, Since You’ve Been Gone by
Morgan Matson is another new YA title that I will definitely be recommending. In this novel, Emily also learns much about
herself and grows more adventuresome as she is challenged to complete a list
left behind by her best friend, Sloane, who suddenly disappears. Will Emily finish the list? Ever find out
what happened to her friend? Read the book to find out. From the author of Amy
and Roger’s Epic Detour, Since You’ve Been Gone will appeal
to fans of Blink and Caution, We Were Liars, and If I Stay.
