Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Review: Skateboard Blues by Sydell Voeller


Synopsis
 
Jessica Williams wishes she were anywhere other than her small town in Oregon. All the kids there are the same except for the few skateboarders her father cannot stand. Life is pretty dull for Jessica until Cam Easton moves into her neighborhood. But when Cam teaches Jessica how to skate, and her father runs for mayor of Preston, her involvement with the skaters poses a threat to her father's campaign. Can the skateboarders prove themselves worthy of the community's support? And most of all, can Jessica and Cam resolve their differences and discover the true meaning of love?


My Rating
3.5
My Review
 
Skateboard Blues is a sweet, light read that is sure to hit the hearts of readers. It's a story that proves it is the quality, not the quantity, of pages that really count.

Voeller uses an authentic teenage voice that is more realistic than poetic, which I really enjoyed. Although the writing is still lovely, it's refreshing to read from a more accurate point of view in that crazy age range.
 
The plot and themes of Skateboard Blues can be connected to Footloose (which I like because it was the first play that I saw live). It deeply touches the issue of discrimination against groups of people or certain hobbies without actual knowledge about the subject. Whether it be dancers or skaters, this idea of loving something that many others don't approve of can be relayed with just about any generation.

Despite the fact that we all can enjoy the steamy love scenes of some upper YA, it's nice to have a young romance that is completely sweet. In Skateboard Blues, the sediment of being in a relationship with someone who could also be a friend is in tact, and it's heartwarming.

Some parts could have been expanded a bit on, but - all in all - Skateboard Blues is a great light read to spend the afternoon with. It shows the power of bringing a community together to really bring change, and what can be done when one doesn't give up.
 

7 comments:

  1. Justine, thanks for the review. I'm glad you enjoyed the story!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like another great read from Sydell. I've put it on my TBR list.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've read other books by Sydell Voeller and enjoyed them. Will read this one. Though I'm well past my YA years, I've found that a number of books directed toward that audience are a pleasure to read. A good book is a good book.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very interesting review--I like the comparison to Footloose!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks, Ann. This is the second reviewer that has compared this story to Footloose. That makes me want to dig the movie out of the archives and see it again!

    ReplyDelete