 | Pity party Author: Lane, Kathleen | |
| Price: $6.55 | ||
Summary:
A grab bag of deliciously dark short fiction set in middle school that explores anxieties and twists them into funny, resonant, and reassuring psychological thrills
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 11/01/2020 Gr 3–7—This party starts with a "cordial invitation" in verse to all those who don't quite fit in. The invitation sets the tone for the rest of book, which is a collection of tangentially connected stories interspersed with witty quizzes, advertisements, and choose-your-own-path prompts. The stories follow different students at Bridger Middle School. They are, on the whole, a diverse student body and include a student who uses they/them pronouns, a student whose family lives in a converted school bus, and a student with an unnamed anxiety disorder. Lane weaves elements of magical realism throughout many of her stories. One standout is "True Story," which follows Caleb, who is able to stand up to his bullies with help from a magical mood ring from a thrift store. Another standout is "Behaviorally Challenged," in which Lexi and Tashi stand up to the Plus, a new system where students are sorted into four different groups based on their personality and are forced to spend their recreational time at school with only the students in their group. The various format interludes are another highlight of this unique text. These include a letter from The Department of Insecurity, the Chart of Relative Calamity, and more. Lane has written a heartfelt and relatable book filled with moments of darkness and humor, plus a little magic. VERDICT Perfect for anyone who has ever felt out of place in a social situation. Hand to fans of Jason Reynolds's Look Both Ways. A first purchase for all libraries serving middle schoolers.—Katharine Gatcomb, Portsmouth P.L., NH - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 12/01/2020 Social media followers who become literal followers in real life. A choose your own catastrophe story about being stuck in a pit. A voice that tells a young person that they are never good enough. A mood ring that tells the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Pity Party is a patchwork of short fiction that touches on the seemingly endless anxieties that plague young people today. Some pieces are funny, others a bit twisted, but all of them work to recognize the myriad experiences of young people trying to conform to, or push back against, societal pressures to be attractive, popular, and perfect. The concept of the collection is unique and intriguing, though the execution leaves the overall collection feeling somewhat chaotic. Because of the variety of topics covered, however, the book has something for almost every young person to connect with. Through Pity Party, Lane (The Best Worst Thing, 2016) encourages readers to engage in conversation, self-reflection, and ultimately empathy toward anyone experiencing issues around mental health. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.
