Girls With Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young - HIGH

Girls With Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young, 393 pages.  Simon Pulse, 2019.  $19. 

Language: R (22 swears, 25 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Mena and her friends are close to graduation from the very exclusive Innovations Academy.  On a field trip to the local botanical garden, the group stops at a gas station and Mena meets the handsome Jackson, whom she finds very intriguing.  But there is little to no chance of seeing Jackson again, unless she breaks some rules. If she gets caught, she could be subjected to impulse control therapy – she’s already been through that once and doesn’t ever want to repeat the experience.  One night, though, she forgets to take her vitamins and in the morning things seem a little different.  Were those dreams she had or are they actually memories?  Something seems to be off about the Academy.  But Mena and her friends are just girls – they exist to be decorative and supportive.  They couldn’t actually change the world – right?

Being a child of the 60’s I could mention a movie and you would know where this is going – but I'm remaining mum on that, because I want you to discover this for yourself.  I can’t tell you too much.  But you will keep reading and reading because you want to keep uncovering the secrets layered within Young’s newest book. The mature content is for some frank talk, mention of an LGBT relationship.  The violence is for a death and Mena’s treatment under impulse control therapy.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS