02/09/2015
Denton Little’s “Deathdate” just happens to coincide with his senior prom, so he does not buy tickets. After all, his death could occur anytime in that 24-hour period, and chances are he will not be around to enjoy the prom. He and his friend, Paolo, whose Deathdate is scheduled one month after Denton’s, decide to cram as much fun as possible in the few days left to them. Denton smokes pot, gets drunk, and sleeps with Paolo’s sister, Veronica. He wakes up to find a weird purple rash on his thigh and Veronica develops it, too. When Paola also contracts the rash, things begin to get crazy. Denton is almost shot by a friend, hounded by a cop, avoids being killed by a car twice, and is kidnapped by Paolo’s mother. He miraculously survives his appointment with death only to find out that most of what he knows about life is a lie. Words cannot capture the spirit and humor of this novel. In a society very much like our own, babies are assigned a scientifically formulated Deathdate at birth. This allows them to attend their own funeral, which is followed by a huge party in their honor. The next day is The Sitting, during which only their immediate family and closest friends await their death together. Denton greets his impending demise with resignation and a hefty amount of humor. The dialogue is witty and raunchy, the plot uniquely twisted, and the ending is to die for. Even the cover is distinctive, with its vertical orientation depicting a hearse. Buy multiple copies because this book will fly off the shelves. Reviewer: Nancy K. Wallace; Ages 12 to 18.
VOYA, April 2015 (Vol. 38, No. 1) - Nancy K. Wallace
In this futuristic tale, everyone knows when he or she will die. A team of scientists and doctors from “AstroThanantoGenetics” gives each person their exact date of death. For teenager Denton Little, his date is the same day as the senior prom, which just happens to be tomorrow. As the story begins to unfold, it is the day before Denton’s “death date.” As weird as it sounds, his family has planned his funeral and everyone seems to just wait for Denton to die. In true teenage fashion, Denton has other ideas for his final exit. He wants a wild night of alcohol, sex, and other misguided adventures. He seems to find trouble everywhere he goes. This hilarious tale of death, family, friendship, and secrets will keep the reader hooked until the very last page. The clever and witty dialogue addresses mortality in a new way. Denton’s voice is original, refreshing, and leaves the reader wanting more. Reviewer: Lisette Baez; Ages 12 up.
Children's Literature - Lisette Baez
01/01/2015
2015-01-10
