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 Child
X(David Ficklin Books) by Lee Weatherly Reading Level: Ages 9-12. I highly recommend Child X as a book that explores the wide gamut of relationships in a teen's life. It realistically portrays both the positive and negative roller coaster of emotions as thirteen year-old Jules deals with the loss of a best friend, the anguish of her parent's divorce and father's abandonment. It also explores the power of the press to affect lives and the responsibility of the media in a community. Although the story takes place in England, the message is universal. The plot is skillfully crafted with a touch of mystery. In spite of the heavy issues addressed, the writing is at times very humorous, the dialogue is witty, and the book also validates how building one's self-esteem in one area (in this case, drama), it gives a teen the power to deal with other challenges in their life. The ending leaves quite a bit of interpretation to the reader and therefore would make a great discussion book for teens as well as a good read for the story itself. — Vy Armour - Member SCBWI
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