Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe

1 review

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

When Norris and his mom move to Austin, Texas from Montreal, Canada for her new professorship at the University of Texas, Norris immediately and wholeheartedly believes he will not belong or fit in as a black French Canadian. At his new and gigantic high school, Norris starts to document his judgments and observations about individual students and cliques/groups of students in the notebook his overly eager guidance counselor gave him on day one. One fateful run-in with a group of cheerleaders has him meeting two important characters that propel the story forward: Aarti Puri, a first-generation Indian-American who is stunning, collected, and interested art who Norris pines over since that first encounter; and Maddie McElwees, "beta-cheerleader" who appears to fit into that stereotypical mold, but helps Norris land his job in the States, working at her father's restaurant and helps him secure a first date with Aarti. As Norris learns his own way through the school and life in Austin, he gains more friends through Liam, "the loner" and the hockey team they eventually bring to fruition. Norris has to come to terms with not running his mouth and learning to hold back judgments until further notice, unless he's willing to deal with those consequences. Norris is a witty, cynical, YA male protagonist who I cannot wait to introduce to as many folks as I can! Philippe did a superb job!
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