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The new kid at school comes intoconflict with the administration's faith-based agenda.
After moving from Massachusetts toColorado with his family, Ben enrolls in a Christian high school despite hislack of a religious background. His atheism causes him to butt heads with his fellowclassmates and teachers, leaving him alone and unpopular. His only friends areTess, the pretty girl next door, and James, the pathetic son of the localdrunk. Ben gives church a try, but it leaves him cold, as does the science teacher's insistence on biblical teachings.?The author crams in debates over a variety of hot topics includingreligious persecution, homophobia and creationism in the classroom.Unfortunately she neglects to supply the novel with well-developed characters, asolid plot or narrative drive. This isn't drama; it's a Very Special Episode ofa sitcom, full of dialogic set pieces that explore the issues. The characters sound less like people and more like bulletpoints of arguments. This would be OK if the author actually took a firm stand on any issue, but in the end, readers are left with?the notion that thingswould be a whole lot better if we all just respected each other's views, as ifthis were a sudden, revelatory concept.
A sermon with too little to say. (Fiction. 12-16)
Pub Date:?Nov. 25th, 2014ISBN:?978-1-60980-573-9Page count:?288ppPublisher:?Triangle Square Books for Young ReadersReview Posted Online: Sept.?14th,?2014Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct.?1st,?2014SIMILAR BOOKS SUGGESTED BY OUR CRITICS:Children
LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green Children
THE GIVER by Lois Lowry Children
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CATEGORIESBiography & MemoirBusiness & EconomicsChildren's and TeenCurrent AffairsEntertainment & SportsEssays & AnthologiesFiction & LiteratureFood & CookingGraphic Novels & Comic BooksHealth & MedicineHistoryIndieiPad Book AppsMystery & CrimeNature & TravelPsychologyReligionRomanceScience & TechnologyScience Fiction & FantasySocial SciencesThrillersTrue CrimeBEST BOOKSKirkus Stars & RecommendationsBEST OF 2014FictionNonfictionChildren'sTeenIndieBook AppsFEATURED REVIEWSHot ListsVintage ReviewsBest of 2014
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GENERAL INFORMATIONRules & Selection Process2014 Judges2014 Awards CeremonyFAQPress Room2014 WINNERS & FINALISTSFictionNonfictionYoung Readers' Literature2015 NOMINEESFictionNonfictionYoung Readers' LiteratureABOUT THE KIRKUS PRIZEThe Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 23, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.
DOUGLAS RICHARDSON