The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy

Starred review from June 23, 2014
In Hattemer's smart, provocative, and highly entertaining debut, a group of friends rage against the reality-TV machine that has descended on their prestigious Minnesota arts high school. To say that Hattemer perfectly spoofs competition-based reality shows isn't quite rightâfrom the manipulative "frankenbiting" editing to the For Art's Sake judges' sendoff catchphrase to eliminated contestants ("THAT WASN'T ART!"), the details are almost too spot-on for parody. Narration comes from junior Ethan Andrezejczak, a decently talented visual artist whose devotion to a hamster named Baconnaise, chaotically loving relationship with his triplet younger sisters, and appreciation for literary forms and devices add depth and humor to a story that's already full of meaty material as it explores the creation and corruption of art. As Ethan and his quick-witted friends use poetry to campaign against For Art's Sake (and some breaking and entering to investigate whether the show is on the up and up), readers are treated to a sharply funny account of how people can fall short (and come through), and how art can make a difference. Ages 12âup. Agent: Uwe Stender, TriadaUS Literary Agency.

Starred review from March 1, 2014
Blending Ezra Pound, rhetoric and reality TV, this hilarious, subversive debut about a cadre of friends at an arts high school is a treat from cover to cover. In seventh grade, popular, good-looking Luke rescued Ethan, Jackson and Elizabeth from misfit nerd-dom. Four years later, Luke still leads while Narrator Ethan is cheerfully resigned to a spot in the "Untalented caste" at Selwyn Academy. Disturbing the status quo, the school's chosen to host a new reality TV show, a student talent competition with a $100,000 scholarship prize and a familiar format: interviews, cliched romances and rivalries, and two smarmy hosts. The obsequious vice principal and most students are thrilled, but For Art's Sake feels like an insult to Ethan and friends. Luke, the most offended, leads a counterattack, writing guerilla poetry inspired by Pound's Cantos that ridicules the enterprise, which the conspirators secretly print at school. However, the masterminds behind reality TV are several steps ahead of them--money and fame are powerful currency, and they know how to use them. Maura, the beautiful, talented ballerina Ethan fancies, has been accepted at Juilliard, but without the scholarship, she can't attend--participating is a no-brainer. Ethan struggles with ethical conundrums (Does Pound's anti-Semitism invalidate his work? Are compromises the price of an arts career?) as he works out his own place in this world and among his friends, especially Elizabeth. A sparkling, timely tour of the complicated intersection where life meets art. (Fiction. 12 & up)

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March 1, 2014

Gr 8 Up-Ethan Andrezejczak is a junior at a Minnesota arts school that is hosting a competitive "reality" television show starring its students. Ethan strikes just the right note of teenage hesitancy and the shrug of paralyzed inaction so common to many stalled in the years leading to adulthood. Ethan tells the story about how he wound up attending the school, with his limited talent at drawing and music. His friends consist of the truly talented writer Luke, brainy Jackson, and stylishly dreadlocked Elizabeth. When their inspiring English teacher introduces them to Ezra Pound's Cantos, Luke composes a long poem that voices his outcry against the corrupting influence of the sleazy TV people capitalizing on their school's art and integrity. He pulls his friends into clandestine raids on the school's printing press and distributes his protest poem to the student body. Being a part of the reality show rebellion energizes Ethan, even though his crush, ballerina Maura, is one of the leading contestants. The group discovers just how deeply the school administration is in league with the show's producers, and a surprising betrayal leaves Ethan bewildered with little solace beyond the distractions of his zany preschool triplet sisters and a sickly gerbil that does tricks. With a quirky cast of characters set against a reality television invasion, the ample humor and realistic angst make this an enjoyable story.-Suzanne Gordon, Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, GA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 15, 2014
Grades 8-11 *Starred Review* When the reality show For Art's Sake begins filming at the local high school for the arts, a group of juniors rebels against the prostitution of their talent and forms an underground poetry movement called The Contrecantos. Taking cues from Ezra Pound's work, their poetic protest goes viral and becomes the most-read publication at school. But after one of its number defects, the group must reassess its purpose and decide how to use the evidence of corruption it has found regarding the show's production. Amid the drama and intrigue, narrator Ethan Andrezejczak must do a great deal of soul-searching and maturing to see where he fits into the equation. In this place of immense talent, Ethan is immensely relatable as the voice of the average (that is, socially awkward) teen. Hattemer writes with a refreshing narrative style, crafting both believable characters and a cohesive, well-plotted story. Romance, while in the air, takes a sideline to friendship, which proves to be the book's heart and soul. Relying on the passion and ideals that drive adolescence, this has a vibrancy and authenticity that will resonate with anyone who has fought for their beliefsor who has loved a hamster. (You'll see.)(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)