Not Your Ordinary Wolf Girl

Gr 9 Up—Sam Lee is not your typical teen. At 18, she's a songwriter and guitarist in a successful all-girl band, manager of an apartment building, and the object of affection for two unlikely suitors. Shortly after Sam is attacked by wild "dogs" in the park, she begins to experience uncontrollable temperature swings, an insatiable thirst, and an unexplainable craving for all things meat. She discovers that the dogs were werewolves, and she's forced to hide the hairy truth about her transformation from her friends and family. Sam is a strong protagonist who wears her flaws on her sleeve, and narrator Kate Rudd does an excellent job of capturing her raw emotions. Rudd seamlessly gives each character a unique voice, and even manages to growl, howl, and give life to Pohl-Weary's many other "wolfisms." Universal themes of identity and trust, paranormal and supernatural elements, and an annoying love triangle ensure that this book (Skyscape, 2013) will appeal to a broad spectrum of listeners who will eagerly await a sequel.—April Everett, Rowan Public Library, Salisbury, NC