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Young adult book reviews for ages 12 and up - middle school and high school students




*Peanut* by Ayun Halliday, illustrated by Paul Hoppe- young adult book review
 
Also written and/or illustrated by Paul Hoppe:

Metal Man

Hat
 
Peanut
by Ayun Halliday, illustrated by Paul Hoppe
Grades 7+ 216 pages Schwartz and Wade December 2012 Paperback    

Sadie is scared. As the the new girl at Plainfield Community High School, she could make friends by joining the volleyball team or the school paper. What she decides to do instead ruins her reputation in the community.

Sadie Wildhack leads everyone to believe that she has a peanut allergy that could kill her. A few people in her school praise her for her openness and honesty after she shares her personal essay to the class, but the friendships that develop from it (including one with a boy) are based on deception.

As the lies spread in number and frequency, Sadie begins to push everyone away out of fear. Pushing her boyfriend, her friends and her mom away keeps her secret safe. When the truth does come out, Sadie has to live with a lot of regret, but she also experiences true friendship and forgiveness.

The color red (which appears on Sadie’s shirt) is the only color used in these hand-drawn illustrations by Hoppe (Rabid Rabbit) and almost acts as a forewarning. Halliday (Always Lots of Heinies at the Zoo) does not sugarcoat the consequences of lying in her new graphic novel.

Teenage girls who enjoyed Smile or Drama by Raina Telgemeier should pick up this book.
 
Young adult book reviews for ages 12 and up - middle school and high school students

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  Tanya Boudreau/2013 for curled up with a good kid's book  






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