The story: When she's picked to host the first ever alien exchange student, Cara Sweeney just sees it as a ticket to a full-ride scholarship and a way to build a future career as a journalist. She would never dream that she's lose a boyfriend, and then a best friend over it--or that she'd fall for a guy from the stars. Too bad the rest of the world isn't quite so enchanted: there are hate groups and protests, and even hunky Aelyx isn't quite what he seems. Is there any chance for such an out-of-this-world couple? Check it out--you'll want to get Alienated too!
June Cleaver's ratings: Language: PG-13; Sexual content R; Nudity R; Violence PG-13; substance abuse PG; magic and the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (racism, xenophobia) PG; overall rating R (grades 9-up).
Liz's comments: I really liked this one, and interestingly, Booklist rates it for 7th-up. There's a single shirts-off make-out scene that elevates it to the HS level in my opinion, but aside from such teenage shenanigans, there's plenty to like about this story: the realistic look at the downside to being visited by aliens, the all-too-natural human opposition to anyone different (even when he really isn't that different), and the social costs to Cara personally all ratchet up the tension of the will-they-won't-they love story.
No comments:
Post a Comment