Sometimes It’s Not Easy Being A Teen

Details

Author:  Lamar Giles
Publisher: Amistad (January 21, 2014)

• Hardback: 320
• Paperback: 336
• Kindle:  325
• Audio: 7 hrs 57 min

My name isn’t really Nick Pearson. I shouldn’t tell you where I’m from. I shouldn’t tell you why my family moved to Stepton, Virginia. I shouldn’t tell you who I really am, or my hair, eye, and skin color. And I definitely shouldn’t tell you about my friend Eli Cruz and the major conspiracy Eli was about to uncover when he died – right after I moved to town. About how I had to choose between solving his murder with his hot sister, Reya, and “staying low-key” like the Program has taught me.

About how moving to Stepton changed my life forever.

But I’m going to.

This blurb from the publisher was enough to grab my attention and cause me to want to know more. In this case, I chose the audio version, which was read beautifully by William Harper.

My Thoughts

The story demanded my attention from the start and proceeded to take me down the twisted road that most mystery lovers can’t resist. “Nick,” at least that’s his current name, is in the Witness Protection Program because of his dad’s past association with a crime boss. However, this may be their last chance in the program due to Nick’s dad’s continued criminal activities at previous placements.

With this new placement and identity change, Nick is more worried than ever that his dad may blow it again for the family. He’s not sure what will happen since authorities say there are no more changes for the family. Plus, Nick has found a new friend at school, Eli and he’s beginning to feel comfortable.  Eli convinces Nick to work on the school paper with him by hinting that he is on to something very secretive named Whispertown. Also, it doesn’t hurt that Eli’s sister has caught Nick’s eye. So, yes, he begins working on the paper with his friend.

Nick, who is African-American, is shocked when he soon discovers Eli’s body in the journalism room, where they work on the paper. Some racial tension rears its ugly face, if only for a short time, in the small southern town when Nick is considered to be Eli’s (who is Latino) killer.

However, it doesn’t take long for those in charge to determine that Eli committed suicide. However, Nick, who is very familiar by now with the journalism room as well as Eli’s habits, doesn’t buy that it is a suicide. So Reya (Eli’s sister) and Nick team up to discover the secret that Eli had been working on.

What Concerned Me

The ending felt a bit abrupt, almost like it was tied up semi-neatly and waiting for a sequel to then tie it up beautifully. Don’t misunderstand, it wasn’t bad, it just left me wanting a little more.

Also, I think I would have liked it a little better if I’d had a better description and feel for the characters, though again, it wasn’t too much of a concern.

My Final Thoughts

As I mentioned earlier I listened to this book, which can sometimes influence how much I like a story. In this case I give an easy thumbs up on both the reader and the book.

Reasons:

• an in-depth mystery,
• an African-American family and their problems
• a better understanding of Latino’s,
• racial references,
• relationships with challenging home lives,
• taking risks for friendship,
• believable conversations,
• lots of action, etc.

I don’t think most will be disappointed with this book.

4 STARS

About the Author

Lamar Giles

Giles is a well-published author and a founding member of We Need Diverse Books. Lamar has two novels forthcoming in 2019: his debut middle grade fantasy THE LAST LAST-DAY-OF-SUMMER (Versify / HMH) and his fourth YA thriller SPIN (Scholastic).

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