Radio Free Texas

First and foremost, remember this takes place in the 1980’s. 

It is the start of Bowie’s senior year, and he has no idea what he will do next.  The only thing he knows is he is crushing hard on Comet Jensen.  So much so that he takes the blame for a prank she does because he doesn’t want her to be expelled.  Bowie gets stuck with a lot of community service, and he chooses to do his at the local radio station.  Wow, that community service does not go anywhere near what he possibly thought it would go, and that is enough about that.  You need to read the book to see how his senior year goes or doesn’t. 

This was great as I was an ’80s high schooler, but that time was very different than the high school experience of today.  I am hoping the kids might ask parents (ugh, grandparents, I can’t be that old yet) about that time, or heck, it would make a great adult and teen book club book.  This is a well-written and researched or lived, book.  But I really liked it a lot. I know it was written for YA and teens, but it was a blast from the past for me and maybe others.

 

Fatal Glitch: Let's Play a Game

 

On Lewis’ first day of school, he just wants to make a friend; maybe the toy, a kid AI panda bear his dad sent him, will help.  But as others in his school are able to get the pandas as well, he has a lot of new friends.  But as more of the bears link up, they decide to start asking their kids to do things so they can win the game against the other kids in the circle.  At first, they were weird things, but as time goes on, the tasks become dangerous. When the bear starts augmenting itself, Lewis gets concerned about where this is going, and if he knew the answer, he might be more scared than he already is.  But what can kids do against these now armed in a since bears?

If you read the first Fatal Glitch, this one is even better.  This is the next step up from Goosebumps, and even creepier.  This is a very imaginative book, and I really liked it a lot.  I will make you think about that Furby or Teddy Ruxpin in the closet a bit differently.  I love the characters and the premise of the book; it is just wonderful and fun for anyone from Middle graders on up, even reluctant readers.