Language: PG-13 (41 swears, 4 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Some physical and emotional abuse, drinking alcohol); Violence: PG-13 (physical abuse)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Jane 16yo, Henry 10-12yo
16yo Jane Vandermaker-Cook lives in a fancy mansion, but don't be fooled - her dad controls everything. She's been isolated from the world since the pandemic - homeschooled, watched constantly, and fed a version of reality that just doesn't add up. Her mom is a punk rock star who travels around the world performing, while Jane is at home with a maze of weird rules, surveillance cameras, and hidden truths, until the day she finds the videos. They don't match her dad's stories. They reveal lies, gaslighting, and a past she was never supposed to see. As Jane begins to piece together the truth, she fights back the only way she knows how, by writing a punk opera, speaking up, and reclaiming her identity.
I really liked how this story was told through songs, letters and video transcripts. Readers could really connect with this emotionally, especially if they have ever felt stuck or silenced. But heads up, this is a pretty heavy read and the format can be confusing and the mental abuse can be a lot. I still really enjoyed the different format of the book. It left me thinking about mental health and the challenges within families.
Jane is presumed to be a white American as well as her dad Vernon and her brother Henry.
Jessica Nelson Librarian CTHS
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment