Smith, Andrew. Grasshopper Jungle. New York: Dutton Books, 2014. 978-0-525-426035. 432 p. $18.99. Gr 9-12.

Austin is a typical teenage boy growing up in Iowa. He is confused, horny, and bored with school. He has a girlfriend whom he adores, and a best friend who he has developed strong feelings for, which confuses him even more. Life in Iowa for Austin involves working the day shift at a thrift store, having his step-dad drive him and his girlfriend to the movies, and unintentionally witnessing the start of the end of the world by giant, mutant, man eating praying mantis. Lucky for us, Austin is a compulsive writer, and the apocalypse is described in detail as he watches the turmoil unfold around him. Grasshopper Jungle is a difficult book to describe, but it’s pretty great depiction of  teen years- those confusing, strange, seemingly apocalyptic like teen years where one is just trying to figure out who he is, and who he wants to be. Smith, who also wrote the prep-school set Winger, clearly remembers what his teen years were like, and how funny, rude and outrageous they can be, which will appeal to teen and adult readers alike.

Science Fiction      Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School

Grasshopper Jungle is a perfect example of why I love young adult literature.  It is a blur of genres, exciting, honest, blunt, funny and heartfelt and a novel that I think is important for teens because they can identify as Austin or his friend Robbie or girlfriend- and his words are so honest and real.  I felt myself thinking, “I remember that. I remember just what that was like.”  This is another book I read from my local library and then ordered for my school library. I can see it appeal to boys because it’s a little brazen and honest- something I’m not sure is reflected in other items we have. I hope they like it!