Shutter

September 12, 2016
The daughter of social-justice-crusading parents, 16-year-old amateur photographer Day O’Connor takes up the cause of a teenage convict on the run in this uneven mystery. After Day spots a handsome, disheveled boy with a familiar-looking face in a local Massachusetts convenience store, she learns that he is Julian Roman, 16, accused of killing his parents and escaping a nearby juvenile detention facility. Day hides Julian in her parents’ barn while she aims to learn more about his case; Julian is predictably reluctant to share his feelings with Day, who is excited to have found a cause célèbre to rival those that take up more and more of her mother’s time. Julian recounts his own version of the events leading to the deaths of his abusive father and depressed mother in italicized chapters, which makes his tape-recorded interviews with the eager Day feel like overkill. While readers may unravel the whodunit before Day does, Stolarz (Welcome to the Dark House) creates some genuinely emotional scenes and thorny dilemmas for her characters. Ages 14–up. Agent: Kathy Green, Kathryn Green Literary.

"Everyone has their story." Day just wants to know the one behind the mysterious boy at the convenience store--who's also wanted for murder.Named after Sandra Day O'Connor, of course 16-year-old Day (it provides a "layer of distance"), an amateur photographer, is expected to do great things. And with parents who are both activists, her fate is sealed. But when the white teen accidentally bumps into olive-skinned Julian Roman, also 16 and an escapee from a juvenile detention center, it's her natural curiosity and compassion that drive her to get to know this reticent teen who's been convicted of killing his father. Day makes it her mission to hide Julian until she can find out the facts about his case and solve his father's murder. When she discovers more questions and lies than truths in this quick read, she begins to realize that the answers may not be as black and white as her photographs. Stolarz plays on the photography theme, requiring Day to look through many lenses to make sense of her new world, which also includes recently separated parents, a difficult mother-daughter relationship, and the possibility of first-time romance. Sporadic journal entries from Julian provide insight into his thoughts, actions, and motives. Breezy but solid, with enough plot twists to keep readers guessing. (Mystery. 14-18) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2016

Gr 8 Up-Day is searching for herself and trying to deal with some major changes in her life. When she comes across a shy teenage boy, Julian, who is about to shoplift cans of tuna in a minimart, she knows there must be more to the story, but she doesn't expect the police to come to her door later asking about him. The police say Julian murdered his parents and escaped from a juvenile detention center. He is sick and starving but not armed and dangerous. Day decides to hide Julian while she checks into what really happened the night that Julian's mother drowned and his father was murdered. The novel is told mainly from Day's point of view, with Julian's journal entries filling in the blanks. Day is described as having a passion for photography, and the book's title reflects that. However, her photography interest does not seem to add anything to the narrative. This element will leave readers wondering why the book is named after something that seems so incidental. The characters are a little unconvincing at times, and plot threads seem to start and end quickly throughout. Still, this is a quick novel and may keep reluctant readers engaged. VERDICT Not a must-have for most collections; purchase where accessible mysteries are needed.-Danielle Fabrizio, Swanton Public Library, VT

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