In a Flashby Eric Walters
Syndetic Solutions - [Book Review for 9781554690343] Book Review : School Library Journal
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Gr 7 Up—Ian and Oswald like to orchestrate flash mobs—impromptu gatherings of strangers arranged on Facebook or by text messages. Whether organizing public pillow fights or staging standing ovations on street corners, the friends live for the five minutes of managing crafted chaos. Friend and student-body president Julia, however, finds their hobby a waste of time. When a new, militant principal assumes control of their school, the boys view his stringent discipline as helping to clean up a poorly run institution, whereas Julia, who dislikes the man because he lacks respect for the student council, feels his rules are domineering. After Principal Roberts cancels a dance, Julia coordinates a boycott of school for a day. Fearing suspension or losing Julia's friendship, Ian capitalizes on his own flash-mob tactics and mobilizes the pupils in the ultimate peaceful protest. Snappy, realistic dialogue; multidimensional characters; and an unpredictable plot (not to mention a hip, contemporary phenomenon) will have both reluctant and struggling readers madly flipping the pages. This fast-paced read is a good companion to Avi's Nothing but the Truth (Scholastic, 1991) as an example of an alternative type of student demonstration.—H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Syndetic Solutions - [Book Review for 155469034X] Book Review : BookList
: From BookList, , Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission. : In this short but pithy novel, narrator Ian records the ups and downs of his longtime three-way friendship with high-school classmates Oswald and Julia, his ongoing reflections about the enigmatic new school principal, and his newfound enjoyment in organizing flash mobs. The story concludes with an Ian-conducted event in which three-quarters of the students walk off school property at lunch, dance together silently to the music of their iPods, then return to the building. From the publisher's Currents series for reluctant readers, the book combines intriguing ideas with swift, sure characterization and realistic dialogue. Portrayed through his actions as well as his words, the appealing narrator comes across as bright and capable in his assessments of people, his strategic thinking, and his use of technology. Walters, a prolific Canadian novelist, knows how to tell a good story simply, yet without talking down to his audience. Phelan, Carolyn. : | distributed by Syndetic Solutions, LLC.: |
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