Notes from the Blender by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin
Hardcover, 240 Pages
2011, EgmontUSA
ISBN: 1606841408
Synopsis
Declan loves death metal--particularly from Finland. And video games--violent ones. And internet porn--any kind, really. He goes to school with Neilly Foster and spends most of his classroom time wondering what it might be like to know her, to talk to her, maybe even to graze against her sweater in the hallway. Neilly is an accomplished gymnast, naturally beautiful, and a constant presence at all the best parties (to which Declan is never invited). She's the queen of cool, the princess of poker face, and her rule is uncontested-- or it was until today, when she's dumped by her boyfriend, betrayed by her former BFF Lulu, and then informed she's getting a new brother--of the freaky fellow classmate variety. Declan's dad is marrying Neilly's mom. Soon. Which means they'll be moving in together.
Review
Notes from the Blender is written in such a way that the main characters, Declan and Neilly, seem to be speaking directly to you. The conversational tone gives the feeling that they're sharing their most honest feelings with the reader. It's very easy to get sucked into Notes from the Blender. The alternating points of view, from Declan to Neilly, chapter by chapter, do well to show each side of simultaneous events. The book is almost painfully honest in some parts, to the point that some readers may be wishing for a little less TMI.
Declan is an outcast. His long time crush, Neilly, is one of the most popular girls in school. He's resigned himself to lusting after her from afar. That is until Declan's dad announces he's knocked up Neilly's mom and they're going to be married. Now he has to deal with a potential new mom, when all he wants is the one who died, and the girl he wants sleeping just down the hall. Neilly's not exactly thrilled either. She's dealt with mockingly snide comments ever since her dad left her mom for another man, but finding her mom half-naked with some strange man who then announces they're getting married is not the change she's been hoping for.
Most of the painful honesty comes from Declan. While Neilly finds herself preoccupied with teenage romantic drama of her own, Declan just obsesses about sex. Porn and masturbation are mentioned frequently, which may turn off both teen girls and their parents. I though it was a wonderfully refreshing look at a teen boy, but at the same time it skeeved me out a little.
Declan and Neilly take to each other well, fast becoming friends and eventual step-siblings. I probably would have enjoyed the book even more if they had railed against each other occasionally, but their friendship did much to move the story along. Notes from a Blender is both funny and emotional. It's a great look at the fears and changes that come along unexpectedly when blending a family.
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