Death, Dickinson, and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia

by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Hennepin County Library paperback 270 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction

This was a little too dark for me. Frenchie had a spontaneous night of fun with a guy she had liked from afar for four years. The next morning, she learns that he is dead. He overdosed and left a suicide note (of sorts). But she doesn't tell anyone about their conversations or experiences . . . not her parents, her best friends, a counselor. She just tortures herself and becomes more and more miserable and purposeless.

I only marked one point in the book. On page 104, she texts Colin to say "I'm not okay." This admission (and his amazing ability to be sensitive, patient, and watchful of her) help her to work toward understanding and healing.

This book wasn't a favorite for me, but I can definitely picture teenagers for whom this story would resonate powerfully. It's serious and deals with real-world issues.

As a literature person, I like that the author's main character has a thing for Emily Dickinson.

Because of the Sun

by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Hennepin County Library hardcover 258 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction

This was on one of my reading lists, so I ordered it even though I'm not working with teens or libraries right now. It had great reviews.

Dani has a tumultuous life with her mother, so when her mother is mauled to death by a bear, Dani's grief has some unusual aspects to it.

The story was a bit too stream-of-consciousness for me. Some of Dani's mental noise - especially the spectre of the bear - was hard to visualize.

I liked her friendship with Paolo. I like learning his back story. I didn't like when the book shifted to the past and Shelley's story, but it pulled things together well.

Lots of swearing and teen attitude. Nice resolution to the story. I think this would appeal to teens who like reading serious books.