Playing with Matches by Brian Katcher - ADVISABLE

Katcher, Brian. Playing With Matches, 304 pgs. Random House Children’s Books

Language~PG-13, Sexual Content~PG-13; Violence~G;

HS - ADVISABLE

Leon dreams of one day hooking up with the beautiful Amy Green. Unfortunately, Leon is your typical seventeen year old complete with obnoxious cohorts and girls who are friends . . . but not girlfriends. More often than not he is concentrating on her in chemistry instead of the teacher. Then he is paired with Melody for their history project and things start to change for Leon. Melody was involved in a sever accident that left her face badly burned. Teased relentlessly since her accident, Melody is used to people not wanting to be around her. Being forced to work with Melody, Leon discovers they have much in common and their friendship quickly develops into something more. . . until Amy enters the picture. This story maneuvers the reader through the halls of high school life complete with crude language, bawdy humor, and unexpected romance. It is a great story about inward beauty and the consequences that come with choices.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Librarian