After hearing Paul Griffin speak at BookMania! recently, I had to read the book he spoke about, Burning Blue (#647). Although it is classified as a Young Adult novel (which might put some adults off), this is an engrossing read. It's all too easy to put yourself in the place of the young protagonists.
The plot revolves around a real-life incident which Paul Griffin responded to as a New York EMT, adapted to a high school setting. In a matter of seconds, the life of Brandywine Hollows' most popular, brainy and beautiful girl is changed forever when someone throws acid in her face. She is unable to identify her assailant, and thereby hangs the tale. When a chance encounter in the school psychologist's office brings loner Jay in contact with her, he resolves to use his hacker skills to uncover the perpetrator. There are many suspects, and many possible motives, but I have to admit, I never saw the end of this one coming!
It's easy to see why his young adult target audience relates so well to Griffin. He and Jay Asher, the other Young Adult panelist, held workshops at a local high school before BookMania!, and arranged to have lunch with a group of them the day of the event. His book touched on trigger points for this group: alienation from the group because you are somehow different, questions of identity and self worth; loss of a parent through death or divorce, love and friendship, trust. Nothing could make this book more real or compelling. Read it and find out for yourself. Highly recommended.
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