YA Materials, Literature Log, Book #2: Ketchup Clouds

 Title: Ketchup Clouds

Author: Annabel Pitcher

Category: Edgar Award Winner


British teen Zoe (not her real name) sits the garden shed at night writing letters to an American Death Row prisoner, a way for her to confess to someone who doesn't know her. You see, last year, she was dating a boy called Max while secretly in love with his older brother Aaron. When Max found out--drunk, and in a rainstorm, the boys fought. The night ended with one of them dead. But now the boys' mother keeps coming around, wanting Zoe to share in her grief, and Zoe is far too weighed down by guilt for that. So she writes.


This book was quite good! I must admit I was unsure about it at first, but was quickly drawn into the story and writing style employed by Pitcher. Zoe is quite a relatable character for many teen girls, I think, especially ones dealing with first relationships and love. However, I must hope that no girl who reads this will emulate Zoe. I would use this novel with teens both as entertainment and as a display of what not to do when it comes to dating--Zoe makes some pretty terrible choices in this book, and it all adds up in a devastating way. Also, Ketchup Clouds deals with themes of divorce and overbearing parents, and Zoe's younger sister Dot is deaf and uses sign language to communicate with her family. All in all, I think this is a good book for teens.


-Emaleigh Kitchen

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