April 13, 2015
In her first book for teens, Kinsella (the Shopaholic series) offers pathos and humor in equal measure. The story has two cinematic threads: the candid narration of 14-year-old Audrey, who is coping with depression and anxiety disorders, and the transcript of a documentary she is recording at her therapist’s suggestion. Since being hospitalized after an unspecified incident at school, Audrey refuses to leave the house or interact with anyone outside her family, wearing dark glasses to avoid eye contact. The title of her documentary, “My Serene and Loving Family,” is only half ironic: her parents are loving and supportive, but her mother’s unpredictability sometimes overshadows her good intentions and shatters any semblance of serenity in the household. Mum is determined to cure Audrey’s brother’s “addiction” to online gaming and their bickering builds to hilarious mutual exasperation. Yet at its heart, this is Audrey’s story of healing and reemergence, facilitated by her friendship—and first love—with an insightful, patient boy. Kinsella’s knack for humor and sensitivity shine in a story that should easily expand her already substantial fan base. Ages 12–up. Agent: Kim Witherspoon, InkWell Management.
August 31, 2015
After suffering horrendous long-term harassment from bullies at school, Audrey suffered an emotional breakdown and is now at home with severe social anxiety, afraid to leave the house, terrified of speaking to anyone outside her family, and wearing dark glasses all the time to avoid looking anyone in the eye. Meanwhile, her well-meaning but shrill mother is constantly getting into screaming matches with Audrey’s brother Frank over his excessive video game playing. But therapy and an unexpected relationship with Linus, a kind, funny friend of Frank’s who visits the house, help Audrey begin to heal and come out of her shell. Reading as Audrey, Whelan sounds exactly like an adolescent girl. She perfectly conveys the protagonist’s conflicting emotions—anxiety, exasperation, hope—and often sounds like she is struggling to put her feelings into words. She also creates distinctive, memorable voices for the other characters: reasonable Dad, overexcitable Mum, sarcastic Frank, adorable four-year-old Felix. With many moments of Kinsella’s signature humor to lighten the subject matter, this audiobook will be appreciated by teens, as well anyone suffering from anxiety and the Shopaholic author’s many fans. Ages 12–up. A Delacorte hardcover.