The Lifeboat Clique

Author: Parks, Kathy

Edition: First Edition

Number Of Pages: 336

Details:

Mean Girls meets Life of Pi in this darkly humorous, compulsively readable teen novel that’s perfect for fans of Libba Bray and Andrew Smith. A hilariously dark and twisted story that sparkles with a remarkably fresh voice, The Lifeboat Clique is Kathy Parks's irreverent yet insightful novel about how to survive in the most unthinkable circumstances.  Some people might say that Denver has a death wish. Why else would she dare to sneak into a Malibu beach party where she’d be surrounded by enemies? Oh yeah. Croix. Denver never thought in a million years he’d ask her out, but who is she to question this miracle of fate? Well, that isn’t the only surprise fate has in store. During the party a tsunami hits the coast of California, and Denver and a handful of others escape death and are swept out to sea. Of course, one of her fellow castaways is none other than her ex-BFF, Abigail, who can barely stand the sight of her. Trapped on a small boat with the most popular kids in school and waiting to be rescued, Denver wonders what might kill her first—dehydration, sunstroke, or the girl she used to think of as a sister? From School Library Journal Gr 9 Up—After publishing adult novels as Kathy Hepinstall, Parks delivers her YA debut: a high school dramedy/survival story mash-up that succeeds in snarky voice but ultimately suffers from unevenness. Denver, a Wisconsin transplant in Los Angeles and social outcast, is at a party thrown by her ex-best friend turned popular girl, Abigail, when a huge tsunami hits and washes her out to sea. She finds herself stranded on a boat surrounded by the open water alongside Abigail and three other teens from the cool crowd. The more the group struggle to survive, the less their labels matter. Yet it seems even the most dire circumstances will not get Abigail to forgive Denver. The story alternates between the group's current situation and flashbacks to the evolution of Denver and Abigail's friendship, including the act that led to their falling out. At its core, this is a story about their friendship, with the survival plotline taking a backseat. Because of that, the flashback sequences work well, while the present-day sections plod on too long. As a whole, the book starts strong with a humorous, witty voice, setting readers up for a purposefully over-the-top dark comedy. Then it takes itself too seriously, and the narrative becomes hard to buy into. When the ending weaves in several plot points from throughout the novel, it feels shallow rather than clever. The inclusion of the offensive term sitting Indian-style is used several times. Despite the flaws, teens who feel like they don't quite fit in may enjoy Denver's criticisms of the high school hierarchy. VERDICT Readers looking for a female-focused offbeat survival and teen drama story are better off with Libba Bray's Beauty Queens (Scholastic, 2011).—Jenna Friebel, Deerfield Public Library, IL

Reviews:

“A savagely funny book.” -- Jesse Andrews, author of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

“A compulsive read.” -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Part adventure, part sly critique of high school politics, Parks’s novel is a sweet, moving novel about loss, friendship, and the will to both live and forgive.” -- Publishers Weekly From the Back Cover They’re going to need a bigger boat. Some people might say that Denver has a death wish. Why else would she dare to sneak into a Malibu beach party where she’d be surrounded by enemies, including her ex-BFF, Abigail? Oh yeah. Croix. Denver never thought in a million years he’d ask her out, but who is she to question this miracle of fate? Well, that isn’t the only surprise fate has in store. During the party a tsunami hits the coast of California, wiping out everything in its path. Denver and a handful of others escape death and are swept out to sea. Of course, one of her fellow castaways is none other than Abigail, who can barely stand the sight of her. Now that she’s...

EAN: 9780062393968

Release Date: 01-03-2016

Languages: English

Item Note: Great shape- pages are unmarked and sharp. Hardcover Used - Like New Ships fast! 2016First Edition

Item Condition: UsedLikeNew

Binding: Hardcover