About the Author:
Melissa Keil, born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, studied cinema and anthropology and has spent time as a high school teacher, Middle-Eastern tour guide, waitress, and IT help-desk person. She now works as a children’s book editor, and spends her free time watching YouTube and geek TV.
Mike Lawrence illustrated Muddy Max: The Mystery of Marsh Creek and is currently writing and illustrating Star Scouts. He lives with his wife, two sons, and too many pets in Oregon.
From School Library Journal:
Gr 9 Up—Alba is content with her life helping her mum run the local bakery and working on her graphic novels. Her current work in progress, The Adventures of Cinnamon Girl, exaggerates events that she and her friends experience. One day, her best friend, Grady, finds a clip on YouTube with Alvin Smith (alias Ordinary Ned), who warns everyone that the apocalypse is coming and the only place that is safe is Eden Valley. This news brings flocks of people to town, quickly transforming it into a version of Woodstock. Meanwhile, Daniel Gordon, an old flame and childhood friend of Alba's, comes back to town, causing Alba to face some familiar feelings. With the apocalypse coming, Alba has some difficult choices to make, including which boy should have her heart. Keil starts out the novel with a casual, conversational style, with Alba speaking directly to readers. However, that style is quickly dropped, and Alba begins narrating the story, forgetting about readers. The pacing is slow, and the character development is weak, particularly the protagonist. Keil throws in an unrealistic twist, which will most likely disappoint. Meanwhile, the relationship between Alba and Grady is predictable, resulting in an anticlimactic ending. VERDICT This is a slow novel with flat characters that should be purchased only by libraries with a large budget and a very high graphic novel fan base.—Erin Holt, Williamson Cty. Public Library, Franklin, TN
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