Review Detail

What Is This Feeling? Teddy McGuire has had this end-of-year drama club trip to New York City all planned out with his best friend, Annie. What makes this trip even better is that if they win the annual scavenger hunt they might get the chance to meet Benji Keaton, their pop star idol. Unfortunately, Annie can't go on their trip and Teddy has to room with Sebastian who isn’t interested in the scavenger hunt.  Sebastian seems to have no interest in Teddy as well and has a secret plan for this trip. Now the boys are on an adventure throughout the city as they complete items from the scavenger hunt and get mixed up in several other stunts. Will Teddy and Sebastian learn to be friends or maybe more? 

What I Liked: While this book is entertaining, some serious topics are discussed. This book discusses friendship, family, transitions, making difficult decisions, and more. I appreciated that we read through the various feelings that Teddy and Sebastian experience throughout this book as they deal with their situations. I appreciate the care that is taken when it comes to Teddy and Sebastian talking about the harder topics and how you can feel the shifts in tone and mood. 

I will admit that I was a bit weary when I first started reading this book because Teddy didn’t read like a senior in high school but a middle school student. I was also frustrated with Teddy’s antics and how he dramatizes everything. My opinion of this changed as he spoke more with Sebastian about having faith in things and believing in magic. 

I enjoyed learning more about Teddy and Sebastian through each of the challenges that the scavenger hunt has them on. The scavenger hunt added fun ways to walk you through New York City along with Teddy and Sebastian. I loved how the challenges they faced due to the scavenger hunt tasks led them on other adventures that felt like they were in a movie. 

Final Verdict: What Is This Feeling? is a fun book taking you throughout the city of New York on various adventures. Young adults will enjoy this book and relate to the fears that Teddy has about leaving high school but staying in his hometown and going to community college. If you enjoyed reading This Day Changes Everything then I highly suggest you pick this book up.