Girl Out Loud

Gr 9 Up—Kassidy Kennedy is average in every way, from her grades to her talents. It comes as no surprise, then, that singing is definitely not her strong suit. So when her bipolar father demands that she audition for the television show X Factor, she is none too excited about it. After failing over the years to get into both Mensa and the National Youth Orchestra, Kass has learned that she can no longer just go along with her father's schemes for glory and fame. To make matters worse, she discovers that the boy she has a crush on is the same guy that one of her best friends has liked for four years. With her younger brother, a criminal-in-training, and her oft-missing mother leading double lives, Kass has no one to turn to after a scary incident at a karaoke club. Gale does a good job of showing how bipolar disorder can affect not just those afflicted with it, but others around them as well. There are some heartfelt, realistic moments regarding Kass's struggle to cope with her father's illness. However, given all of her conflicts, the story tends to veer off into melodrama. With that said, Kass's humorous, self-deprecating tone and the touching moments make this an enjoyable read.—Kimberly Castle-Alberts, Hudson Library & Historical Society, OH