Book Reviews

Vote for Larry by Janet Tashjian

Let me preface this by saying you really have to read the first book The Gospel According to Larry before this sequel to fully enjoy it. Having read the first and the second, I didn't think that Vote stood very well on its own because there is too much background info needed.

Okay, so once you've read The Gospel, by all means read this book. If you are interested in the onslaught of political satire and the like, if you like Michael Moore or the Daily Show's Jon Stewart, you will probably like this.

Josh (aka Larry) is back from the pseudo-dead and ready to spill the proverbial guts of the two party system's corrupt nature along with their corporate sponsors. 18-year-old Larry beats the odds and runs for president of the USA under the Peace Party. He and his supporters gain the votership of the young adults of society, pushing the political envelope.

Dream Watcher by Barbara Wersba

Originally published in 1968, this book is considered a "contemporary classic" along the lines of Catcher in the Rye. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book about a freshman in high school who believes that his life is worth nothing and often thinks of commiting suicide. He befriends an elderly woman who makes him feel good about himself and the dreams that he holds.