The Freak Observer

As they say, don't judge a book by it's cover.  The Freak Observer (Carolrhoda, 2010) by Blythe Woolston will not be winning any book cover contests but the story inside has already been receiving the awards.  In her debut novel Ms. Woolston writes the story of sixteen year old Loa Lindgren who is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after her younger sister has died and now within the same year, her best friend Esther, has been killed.  Loa's once happy home life has taken a turn towards the worst and she is trying desperately to be invisible and not make anyone mad at her.  Fortunately the book does end on a happy note as Loa meets a new male friend who seems to make her laugh and forget about her other troubles.  One of my favorite parts is when her mother tells Loa and her brother that they can order pizza to be delivered.  This is the turning point in the story and after that, Loa's family starts to smile more. 

In a recent Wall Street Journal Article about Young Adult Fiction, Meghan Gurdon writes that YA Lit is full of dark themes and has become harmful to the young reader.  The Freak Observer could have been the target of her entire article.  The dark cover, the explicit language, the violence and abuse are all in this book that Mrs. Gurdon tries to condone.  I also believe that this book and the voice of Loa will help many young adult readers to get through a hard time they may be facing in their lives.  Not since Hunger Games have I been so affected by a book.