Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Jocelyn

&OR NOT? is definitely one of my favorite books read in recent memory. Cassie is such a completely real, entirely interesting, and very unique character! This book is made up of her journals, written in her fresh, original voice. Cassies a fourteen year old girl with opinions and beliefs that make her an outcast at school (ie, she is not a blindly patriotic evangelical Christian). Shes lots of thingsa writer, a vegan, a thinkerbut at school theyd rather just label her a terrorist (as we do in the post-9/11 world) and be done with it. At school, shes harassed and taunted with epithets like American Taliban slut, especially after she refuses to sing Proud To Be An American at school.

In a high school like Cassies fictional one, this book would probably be banned. Or maybe burned.

Cassie is a strong-willed, gutsy, and very likeable protagonist, with a distinct voice, one great character in a whole cast of them. Her story really draws readers in; its quite a lengthy book, but it certainly doesnt drag on. Its also a very relevant story today. Prejudiced people like those Cassie has to deal with are everywhere. I remember once in middle school getting in huge trouble for not saying the pledge of allegiance. I, however, am not as brave as Cassie; Id like to have her courage, but, after that, I stood up and pretended to say it.

Its a thought-provoking, extremely well-written first novel. Brian Mandabachs debut is brilliant, and I am really looking forward to reading whatever this talented author writes next.

Reprinted from http://teenbookreview.wordpress.com