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September 2015


Zac & Mia (A.J. Betts)

I am back on the rickety reading wagon, and it's trundling along slowly, and the path meanders all over the shop, but I am finally getting places!

Next stop?  Zac & Mia by A.J. Betts.  Let me start by saying that I did NOT know this was another YA cancer story.  Should I really say "another"?  I am obviously referring to The Fault in Our Stars which immediately springs to mind with thoughts of oxygen tubes and unrealistic teen dialogue (don't get me started on that novel!).  I found Zac & Mia to be, I dunno, a bit more down to earth than The Fault in Our Stars.  That novel had me eye-rolling frequently throughout the first few chapters.  I only read the first few chapters.

But enough.  I digress.

So, Zac & Mia.  Engaging story, nice use of statistics; as a Librarian I always approve of the use of well researched facts throughout a narrative.  Both Zac & Mia are likeable, engaging characters, it doesn't get overly soppy or sentimental.  It's just a good, interesting story. And OK you can see some of the plot progressions coming a mile off, but eh, it doesn't matter so much.  Or at least it didn't bother me, I still kept coming back.  Definitely one for the older readers though as there is a wee bit of swearing, so if you're worried about that kind of thing, best not to go there.

Would I put it in my school library?  Yeah, I think so.  Recommend it to others?  Sure, for a holiday read, or something to pass the time on the bus commute, assuming you don't get car sick reading (like I do).  And hey, unlike The Fault in Our Stars I managed to get through it, so that has gotta be a big thumbs up.



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