You Only Live Once

Gr 7 Up—Laid out in a "choose your own ending" format and written in a second-person narrative style, the book invites readers to take charge, step into the role of protagonist, and decide their own fates. Sophomore year at the prestigious Kings Academy begins with talk of sweet 16 festivities, and it seems like everyone (excluding "you," the reader) is going to have a fabulous party. Forget about having a lavish extravaganza, you're just trying to get through this year without breaking your parents financially or killing yourself academically. Everyone knows sophomore year is the hardest, and you feel like you are just barely eking by. Every decision you make; whether to take your friend's advice and get a sketchy Adderall prescription, to join the rowing team, or to take an after-school nanny job, has direct consequences. There are 16 possible endings and many of them are excessively dramatic and extreme. The decisions are very black and white, and there is little room for character growth due to the abrupt nature of some conclusions. The lack of character development leaves readers unsatisfied and not likely to restart the journey to try for another outcome. The nostalgic fun of reading a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book is not enough to justify this title's many shortcomings.—Morgan Brickey, Marion County Public Library System, FL