Wildlife by Fiona Wood

Wildlife by Fiona Wood is all about feeling insecure and not being able to acknowledge that – maybe not even to yourself.  As such, it seems that it would have teen appeal, but one character, Holly, was so manipulative and cruel that I actually found it a relief to finish the book.  The story takes place at an outdoor education camp for privileged students in Australia where making snarky comments about others and betraying your friends seems par for the course. 

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The story is told from multiple perspectives which was a little disconcerting at first. I felt for “nerdy” Michael who was obviously different and I truly enjoyed reading Lou’s journal entries – even though she was hurting from the recent loss of a dear friend, she was attuned to others, very perceptive and genuinely kind. It’s not a surprise that Michael and Lou found and consoled each other. Again, I kept wishing that other characters would quit worrying about posing for everyone else and relax enough to allow more REAL friendships to develop.

The focus on fake anniversaries and the push to have sex all seemed forced and unnecessary.  These characters were leaving childhood behind and it was a painful journey for most.

Breakfast Served Anytime by Sarah Combs

A fabulous story for a student who loves books, Breakfast Served Anytime makes repeated references to Scout Finch and To Kill a Mockingbird.  Sarah Combs’ debut novel tells about the friendships formed at a summer “Geek Camp” between Chloe, Calvin, Mason and Gloria.  Along the way, we see each one’s character develop in the kind acts they perform, in the ways they support and reach out to others, and even in a newly found and surprising appreciation for nature (and blue butterflies!).

Yes, this story is solidly rooted in a time (a summer made slower by a vow to not use gadgets and social media) and “right at the place the country’s heart would be if it placed its hand across its chest to say the Pledge of Allegiance”: Kentucky. But to me, the author adeptly handled the many feelings we ALL have about transitions in our lives, especially about leaving high school and moving on to college; about moving from a self-centered place to one where we can more readily attempt to empathize with others.  Do you recognize or remember those times? When you first met people from different states? Or different backgrounds and suddenly realized they were not all that different? When you were forced to question your own assumptions?  Or perhaps asked yourself (as Gloria does), “How many other fascinating people had I missed? Why hadn’t I made half an effort?”

Breakfast Served Anytime is a “feel good” story with a touch of mystery, romance and humor. Mostly, though, it is filled with memorable characters, each of whom is trying to find himself; to define herself in terms of relationships with peers and parents; to grow more independent while still cherishing those moments and mantras that truly form each of us.

This is a wonderful selection, particularly for those middle and high school students who are looking for something other than the dystopian novels which often seem to dominate YA fiction.