Mark Wakely

In exchange for a copy of the book, I am offering my honest review. This YA novel is told from the perspective of an older teen named George Wells - no relation to H.G. Wells, he points out although both have thought a great deal about time travel. With a light and easy tone, Mark Wakely has written a nearly 300 page novel that touches on some important themes: grief, inclusion (one character has ASD) the value of friendship which all emerge around the tumultuous period that arises in the final year of high school.… (more)

The stories are a slice of life for high schoolers, many told as cautionary tales on pranks, chewing tobacco, sexting, anorexia, explosives, and even drag racing. There are chapters featuring a school yard fight, talking back to a teacher, and mean girls. These are modern teenagers, but some of the dialogue and choice of vocabulary isn't contemporary (good heavens, stinks, jerk, butt, starting a question with say, scuttlebutt). Autistic is outdated, it's "on the autism spectrum". This ARC needs editing before the final release.… (more)