Girl Out Loud

May 21, 2012
Fifteen-year-old Kass Kennedy, her mother, and her brother are ruled by the whims of Kass’s father, who they fear has a mild form of bipolar disorder. Anything can set him off: when he’s “On The Up,” sudden passions take over (the latest: he wants Kass to audition for Simon Cowell’s X Factor TV talent show). And something as small as a news report about a murdered local man can trigger depressive “Gray Tracksuit Days,” which can stretch for weeks or months. From the start, British author Gale, in her first YA novel, skillfully establishes the frustrating and unpredictable home environment in which Kass and her family feel trapped. Worse, Kass has no one to turn to: she barely communicates with her mother and younger brother; Kass’s two best friends, Char and Izzy, shut her out when Char’s long-term crush, Cassian, shows an interest in Kass; and even Cassian isn’t the ray of hope Kass initially believes him to be. It’s an emotionally draining and at times melodramatic story—readers will have no trouble feeling Kass’s unrelenting anxiety—leavened (somewhat) by Kass’s sarcastic humor. Ages 12–16.

May 1, 2012
A resolutely average teenager nearly collapses under the weight of her bipolar father's outrageous expectations. Kassidy's life in "deepest, darkest, dorkiest suburbia" would be manageable (the drudgery of her all-girls' high school and the unfairness of her brother Raff's ability to get away with petty criminality notwithstanding), were it not for her sense of responsibility to keep her mercurial father on an even keel. Over the years, she's gone along with his schemes for fame and recognition, submitting to testing to join Mensa and auditioning for a fish-sticks commercial as well as the National Youth Orchestra. But when Dad announces his intention to coach Kassidy to victory on The X Factor, she realizes that indulging him is no longer a viable strategy. Compounding Kass' anxiety are a kitchen-sink's worth of other issues: a reciprocated crush on the boy who turns out to be the object of her friend Char's affection, the possibility that Raff may be drawn into a life of serious crime, and the discovery of her mother's secret life outside the home. Gale succeeds in building a claustrophobic emotional atmosphere for her heroine to push back against, but the pileup of issues tips her story into unbelievable, soap-operatic territory. Readers will enjoy Kass' self-deprecatingly funny approach to her many problems, but the credulity-straining plotting renders this a secondary purchase, at best. (author's note) (Fiction. 12-16)

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July 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-Kassidy Kennedy is average in every way, from her grades to her talents. It comes as no surprise, then, that singing is definitely not her strong suit. So when her bipolar father demands that she audition for the television show X Factor, she is none too excited about it. After failing over the years to get into both Mensa and the National Youth Orchestra, Kass has learned that she can no longer just go along with her father's schemes for glory and fame. To make matters worse, she discovers that the boy she has a crush on is the same guy that one of her best friends has liked for four years. With her younger brother, a criminal-in-training, and her oft-missing mother leading double lives, Kass has no one to turn to after a scary incident at a karaoke club. Gale does a good job of showing how bipolar disorder can affect not just those afflicted with it, but others around them as well. There are some heartfelt, realistic moments regarding Kass's struggle to cope with her father's illness. However, given all of her conflicts, the story tends to veer off into melodrama. With that said, Kass's humorous, self-deprecating tone and the touching moments make this an enjoyable read.-Kimberly Castle-Alberts, Hudson Library & Historical Society, OH

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2012
Grades 7-10 Kass Kennedy is not a star. She can't sing. She's not pretty, and she's not popular. However, her eccentric dad is determined to make her famous, and an upcoming reality-show auditionhe thinksis the perfect opportunity for her to shine. Gale's debut is much more than a funny book about a girl with no singing talent. Kass' dad struggles with frightening mood swings, but the family avoids addressing his problems. It's left to Kass to try to keep things together, and if trying out for his crazy contests keeps him from going off the deep end, so be it. This one pulls at the heartstrings, and Gale capably brings to light a condition that many people struggle with. At the same time, this offers an excellent example of how teenagers feel and react when their parents go through a crisis. This is a story about what a family can withstand before it breaks and how, even then, it can be put back together again.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)