CATALYST

The great challenge in narrating a first-person novel is in capturing its singular and distinctive main character. Samantha Mathis perfectly manages brilliant Kate Malone, a motherless high school senior, whose only desire is an M.I.T. acceptance letter. Her voice young and snappy, her timing impeccable, Mathis depicts Kate in all her compulsiveness as she races to escape her reality; takes care of her asthmatic brother, Toby; and plays girlfriend to Mitch, whose fast hands, wet tongue, and boy scent offer occasional respite. An enforced friendship with a tough-girl incest survivor and her lisping baby brother/son challenges all of Kate’s assumptions and turns her world on its head. Written by the Printz Award-winning author of SPEAK, this title will be popular with older teens. T.B. 2003 YALSA Selection © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]