Format: e-ARC
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Publication: December 2014
Pages: 255
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Fifteen-year-old Polarity Weeks just wants to live a normal life, but with a mother diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, that’s rarely easy. Her life gets exponentially more disastrous when her sixth-period history classmates start ogling a nude picture of her on the Internet. Polarity would never have struck such a shameless pose, but the photo is definitely of her, and she’s at a complete loss to explain its existence.Child Protective Services yanks her from her home, suspecting her parents. The kids at school mock her, assuming she took it herself. And Ethan, the boy she was really starting to like, backpedals and joins the taunting chorus. Surrounded by disbelief and derision on all sides, Polarity desperately seeks the truth among her friends. Only then does she learn that everyone has dark secrets, and no one’s life is anywhere near normal.
My Review
Something to Note: I received this book via the Publisher for an honest review.
The Characters: Polarity is such a strong-willed, tough girl whom I definitely look up to now after reading this book. When something happens to her she works hard to get through it and she doesn't take pity on herself, which is really nice to see. She has a tough life with her mother having borderline personality disorder, but I feel like Polarity deals with that hardship really well. She is just a character that I really enjoyed reading about and she continued to grow through the book (which is something I love to see).
Ethan is a side character, yet has a lot to do with how the story goes along. At first, I didn't have an opinion about him because he didn't show up much, but after I a while I started to really enjoy him. He did some really smart, helpful, amazing things throughout the book and I just thought he was a little too hidden through the book.
I have to talk about Polarity's mother-- she was just a hard character to like. I feel like with her disorder she was so misunderstanding to what was happening with Polarity. I know that her disorder caused her to feel this way (and I honestly don't know much about the disorder), but I felt like it was so much and I felt so bad for Polarity. Her mother did start to pick up throughout the book and in the end I really enjoyed her character.
Ethan is a side character, yet has a lot to do with how the story goes along. At first, I didn't have an opinion about him because he didn't show up much, but after I a while I started to really enjoy him. He did some really smart, helpful, amazing things throughout the book and I just thought he was a little too hidden through the book.
I have to talk about Polarity's mother-- she was just a hard character to like. I feel like with her disorder she was so misunderstanding to what was happening with Polarity. I know that her disorder caused her to feel this way (and I honestly don't know much about the disorder), but I felt like it was so much and I felt so bad for Polarity. Her mother did start to pick up throughout the book and in the end I really enjoyed her character.
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book it was nice to see character growth in a book because recently I haven't read many books that have had that. What Polarity went through, I couldn't imagine anyone going through it, yet alone a 15 year old. Throughout the book I kind of thought what was going on was a little crazy for fifteen, but hey, sometimes it does happen. That idea was just a little hard for me to fathom.
I feel like I am reiterating the same thing over and over, but the reason I truly fell for this book is due to the character development. Each character is wonderful and brings so much to the story. Whether the character stays throughout the whole entire book or just there for a few chapters they kept you intrigued and made you want to keep turning those pages.
Brenda did a great job at keeping you engaged with every turn. I loved the fact that you weren't expecting what was coming. Every new thing that happened was a shock -- lately books have been so predictable and this book definitely veered from that.
I feel like I am reiterating the same thing over and over, but the reason I truly fell for this book is due to the character development. Each character is wonderful and brings so much to the story. Whether the character stays throughout the whole entire book or just there for a few chapters they kept you intrigued and made you want to keep turning those pages.
Brenda did a great job at keeping you engaged with every turn. I loved the fact that you weren't expecting what was coming. Every new thing that happened was a shock -- lately books have been so predictable and this book definitely veered from that.
Why is the half star missing?: The reason I didn't put it up to the 4.5 range is because the whole concept of this happening to a fifteen year old just blew my mind. I know that it is completely possible, but it's just something throughout this read I couldn't wrap my head around. Another reason is because Polarity's mother throughout the book kind of brought my mood down and made me upset. Lastly, I wish Polarity tried harder on a certain thing (which I won't say because it'll spoil some things) -- but I wish she put more effort in.
One Line Wrap Up: Engaging story about the struggle of high-school bullies, a not-so perfect life and friends you never knew you had -- soon molding your life into something that makes you smile...everyday.
About the Author
Brenda Vicars has worked in Texas public education for many years. Her jobs have included teaching, serving as a principal, and directing student support programs. For three years, she also taught college English to prison inmates, and outside of her job, she mentors children of incarcerated parents.
She entered education because she felt called to teach, but her students taught her the biggest lesson: the playing field is not even for all kids. Through her work, she became increasingly compelled to bring their unheard voices to the page. The heartbeat of her fiction emanates from the courage and resiliency of her students.
Brenda’s hobbies include reading, woodworking, gardening, and Zumba.
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