Honk If You Hate Me

In a book teeming with offbeat characters and situations, debut author Halverson shows how 16-year-old Monalisa Kent and members of her community come to terms with a catastrophe that nearly ruined their town. The tragedy occurred 10 years ago when the Wayne Furniture Plant—the source of most citizens’ livelihoods—was destroyed by fire. Monalisa’s father, who worked at the plant, became a hero by saving his daughter and her friend, Glen, while Monalisa, blamed for starting the blaze, became the town villain. She finds refuge in the tattoo parlor owned by Glen’s quirky parents and in a bumper-sticker shop owned by a former fireman haunted by images of smoke and flames. But after 10 years of keeping a low profile, Monalisa decides to make her voice heard, even if it means standing on top of tables at fast-food joints and shouting her favorite bumper sticker slogans. Keeping characters (and their complicated histories) straight proves challenging, and it’s unclear why the town remains so resentful—particularly since the local university, which “[now] employs more townspeople than the Wayne plant ever did,” transformed the city following the fire. Though teens may identify with Monalisa’s unconventional attitude and be glad for her ultimate—and rightful—redemption, the book often feels unclear and unfocused. Ages 12-up. (July)