Thank you for visiting.
This content is exclusive to subscribers only.
As a digital subscriber, you’ll receive unlimited access to Horn Book web exclusives and extensive archives, as well as access to our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database.
To access other site content, visit The Horn Book homepage.
Log In
Don't have a Horn Book Account?
Register Now
Register Now
Selzer, Adam
9 Reviews
(4)
YA
In this darkly humorous tale, "death-positive" (raised by morticians) lesbian Megan, eighteen, begins leading ghost tours and discovers the company is "ghosting" (killing) the elderly so they leave "imprints" behind for the tour. Then Megan receives a startling warning from a 1920s-era ghost resembling herself. A ghoulish romp through Chicago's historical corners meets goth love(ish) story, this uneven novel never quite finds a satisfying path.
Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum
(3)
YA
Urged by best friend Stan (who claims he's Satan), senior slacker Leon tries to clean up his act when he hears that his former girlfriend is moving back from England. His plans take a detour when he falls for popular girl Paige in the process. Sharp and honest, Selzer's story is true YA, with none of the twenty-something overtones of "new adult" lit.
Reviewer: Shara Hardeson
Selzer, Adam
Extraordinary: The True Story of My Fairy Godparent, Who Almost Killed Me, and Certainly Never Made Me a Princess
(3)
YA
In this quirky, original tale, Jennifer Van Der Berg tells the real story of her life, not the one Eileen Codlin wrote in her bestselling (but baloney) book. Jennifer did have a fairy godfather and had to kiss a vampire to stay alive, but Eileen never mentioned that the fairy godfather ruined Jenn's life. A snarky, witty narrative voice enhances the story.
Reviewer: Kayla Cottingham
(3)
YA
Alley is underwhelmed by the dating prospects in her unusual hometown until she becomes hopelessly infatuated with Doug. But when she accepts that Doug's strange (and to her, strangely lovable) behavior is due to his being a zombie, Alley asks herself what she will sacrifice to be with him. This campy love story mocks the fantasy romance genre while examining unrealistic expectations of romantic relationships.
Reviewer: Katie Bircher
(3)
YA
Full of attitude and impertinence, this book encourages students to question their textbooks and challenge their teachers on everything from the early explorers to the Obama election. The fresh, edgy text combines with archival images and photographs to provide a thought-provoking presentation of American history. Quirky captions, humorous sidebars, silly quizzes, and ridiculous puzzles add to the fun.
Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale
(3)
4-6
Third grader Andrew North is convinced his father and brother are spies--and that if he could prove himself worthy, he could be a spy too. This humorous, imaginative, and fast-paced story follows wannabe-agent Andrew on his mission to bring down enemy spy/janitor, Mr. Gormulka, and steal back his brother's secret spy device/graphing calculator. Reluctant readers and would-be spies will be enthralled.
Reviewer: Betsy Murray
(4)
YA
Leon (How to Get Suspended and Influence People) sets out to create an homage to downtown by taking over a chain coffeehouse in the new strip mall and filming people's reactions to the town's development plans. Readers unfamiliar with the first book may grow frustrated with Leon's single-minded compulsion, but others will enjoy his continued anti-establishment exploits.
Reviewer: David Elzey
(2)
4-6
When tattletale-detective Chrissie Woodward realizes adults are "fixing" the spelling bee, she transfers her loyalties and starts collecting evidence from fellow students; the chapters, told from rotating perspectives, are presented mainly as the kids' testimony. The story's wit is directed almost entirely against grownups, in a scathingly funny indictment of a shady principal and insanely competitive parents.
Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2008
(4)
YA
Eighth-grader Leon makes a sex-ed video to fulfill his gifted class assignment. His project, which takes cinematic inspiration from Fellini and the avant garde, gets him suspended. The story gains momentum once Leon starts working on the movie. But the ending--the film becomes an underground hit and Leon's teacher nemesis leaves the school--is rushed and unrealistic.
Reviewer: David Elzey
9 reviews
We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing.