Every Last Word
by Tamara Ireland Stone
Purely Obsessional OCD controls Samantha McAllister's every thought and action. Because she obsesses about appearance, friendships, and what people think about her, she maintains a superficial friendship with the very unpleasant "Crazy Eights," the queen bees of her high school. These are the wealthy, stylish "mean girls" in the school, of course; and Samantha compromises her own character as she struggles to live up (or down as the case may be) to their standards. Samantha, an excellent swimmer, dreams of earning a scholarship and going to college; however, her obsessive behavior, dark and violent thoughts, and insecurities are holding her back, forcing her to maintain the status quo with the Crazy Eights.
Samantha's counselor encourages her to distance herself from her destructive friends and develop new, more healthy friendships; so when Samantha meets the mysterious Caroline, who invites her to attend a meeting of the Poet's Corner, she hesitantly agrees. Finding she enjoys writing poetry and the secrecy, comfort, and acceptance offered in the Poet's Corner, Samantha becomes involved and interested in the lives of her new friends. Samantha and the talented musician AJ, who had been wounded by bullying from the Crazy Eights as a child, begin to develop a relationship.
Stone accurately and sensitively portrays teens who struggle with emotional issues and mental illness. This book is definitely a worthwhile read for teens or adults. For those who fear that the storyline may be trite, beware--Every Last Word contains an intriguing twist.
EQ: Are you attentive to bullying? Are you willing to reach out to those who may be viewed as "different" by others students? Are you willing to look beyond the façade to see the soul of a person?
