I realize I've only actually read one other book by Andrew Smith, something I need to rectify, although I guess I did try to read The Alex Crow, and couldn't get into it. But I loved the first book I read by him, Grasshopper Jungle, and I would say this book reminds me a lot of that one. The wacky out there science fiction story of a world where everyone is basically controlled by a corporation combined with the angst of teen boys and girls and those unsure exactly of their sexual orientation or at least undergoing gender reassignment makes for a roller coaster of a read. And not only that, but Smith gets you laughing out loud at so many things, unless it is just that I have the sense of humor of an adolescent still. There was one character in particular, Parker, that always had me giggling like a middle school boy. When I read stories like this, with all the craziness and out there bits, I just wonder how in the world does someone's brain work in those ways. And then I remember that Andrew Smith, the author, is a teacher, so he sees the kind of things that you really can't make up every day at his job. Highly recommend this one!

Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.