Great book, loved the tension between the characters and the descent that some of them have throughout the story. Certain reveals felt a little lacking for me but it didn't harm the overall story.

Like the other Lorimer books I've read, I think this is a good addition to a school or public library. Quick-reading, with characters teens can identify with and a lesson that isn't preachy or condescending, Dead to Me is definitely recommended.

TW: Drinking, Accidental Death, Street Racing, 

 

Dead to Me is another entry in the Sidestreets series this time taking on alcohol, risky behaviors, and grief. I really like how we got past the anger and into other emotions before it ended. The last part of the book is all about the fall out and consequences, giving us the most closure. Except...

 

It’s another cliffhanger, like Rez Runaway, but I’m not feeling this one. It’d be good to know for sure. Having it on the page would be a good reinforcement. Even just the one word: Mi hijo.  

 

I also want to know what happened with the grandson...

 

This one was the most felt the most like an after school special. Things were a bit too convenient and without the follow up with the grandson subplot there’s nothing else going for it.

 

I am surprised sex didn’t make an appearance in Logan’s avert-feelings repertoire TBH. That’d add another dimension to the story if done right as well.

The lead finds out a secret about his father and uncle that completely changes him. He becomes more of a troublemaker, has a chip on his shoulder. He can't let it go. He drinks and such. It's a good lesson about forgiveness and the dangers of drinking.

Logan has been full of resentment toward his uncle ever since he found out that he was involved in the killing of his own brother, Logan's dad. He disowns his uncle and becomes very reckless, feeling that this is the only way to feel anything. Logan and his friends break into a house that they think is abandoned, but what they find there gets them in trouble with the law. Will Logan be able to turn his life around?

Rez Runaway by Melanie Florence
Dead to Me by Cristy Watson
Dark Side by John Choi
Riot School by Robert Rayner
James Lorimer & Company
Multicultural Interest , Teens & YA

Lorimer & Company is producing some engaging "hi-lo" (high interest, lower reading complexity) titles that you will consider prime reading material for your strongest school library patrons. 

That the titles entertain and engage all readers, rather than just the reluctant ones, makes these choices all the more valuable.

These four titles in the "Sidestreets" line are being marketed by Lorimer for their wide diverse appeal and "hot button" topics.  The protagonists are nicely representative of so many young adult readers who don't normally find themselves in the books they read.

That the reading levels of these books are unobtrusively lower than most YA titles is the icing on the cake:  The writing is compelling enough that I soon forgot I was reading hi-lo titles  within the first few pages. 

I am delighted to report that the excellent story telling, yet broad topics and individual strengths, in these books are something I have immediately purchased for my YA patrons.  I'll be eager to share with adults who support those YA patrons as well.

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This book starts off well with an interesting premise - a youngish son finds out that the "uncle" he loves is "kind of" responsible for the death of his father, turning the young boy against the uncle - hence, the "Dead to Me" title.

About halfway through the story though things get creepy, weird and frankly 'unnecessary'. The discovery inside the house, in my opinion, brought an interesting story about how hard it is to discover that someone you care about has betrayed you, to a complete halt and the story never recovered from there.

I am not sure if inserting this plot development was for "shock value" but it soooo did not belong in this book. Yes, the author was trying to make her main character realize that people need to be forgiven or they will die alone, but wow! not this way.

This was a disappointment to me.