In A GLASS OF CRAZY, Abby uses snarky humor to guide the reader on her journey into the depths of alcoholism and the not so easy road back. Those who like the hit drama series, The Fosters, won't want to miss A Glass of Crazy.
Assessment:
Abby, the plucky 14-year-old protagonist of this compelling, vividly written YA novel, begins self-medicating her sadness with alcohol after her parents marriage disintegrates when a video surfaces of her senator father with his secret girlfriend. Laningham's narrative draws on the real emotions of teens with divorcing parents and the desperation felt when cliques, friends, and foes turn on them, particularly during their first year of high school. Deft characterization, crisp contemporary dialogue, and an engaging, if somewhat cliched, plot impressively converge in a story that touches on the lows of alcohol addiction and the intensity of friendship, all while applauding the achievement of sobriety. A well-written, relatable, if a bit lengthy, cautionary tale.
Date Submitted: June 14, 2016
The strongest aspect of this excerpt is the strong narrative voice. Abby is immediately portrayed as a sympathetic and complicated character. This brief excerpt reveals the underlying tensions in her life- the parental dynamic, her relationship with her best friend, her rivalry with the triple-Ms. To give the reader so much information through the story in such a short excerpt is an excellent accomplishment.
