Page Princess: DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT by Sarah Mlynowski

Friday, June 24, 2016

DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT by Sarah Mlynowski

Title: DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT

Author: Sarah Mlynowski

Publish Date: 03.11.14

Publisher: Random House Children’s Books

Category /Genre: YA/teen, Fantasy

Recommended for: 12+

Grammar/editing: A – near perfect

Received from: Random House Children’s Books via netgalley.com (in exchange for an honest review)

Goodreads link: Don’t Even Think About It

Date completed: 02.15.14

Description from the publisher:

Contemporary teen fiction with romance, secrets, scandals, and ESP from the author of Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have).

We weren't always like this. We used to be average New York City high school sophomores. Until our homeroom went for flu shots. We were prepared for some side effects. Maybe a headache. Maybe a sore arm. We definitely didn't expect to get telepathic powers. But suddenly we could hear what everyone was thinking. Our friends. Our parents. Our crushes. Now we all know that Tess is in love with her best friend, Teddy. That Mackenzie cheated on Cooper. That, um, Nurse Carmichael used to be a stripper.

Since we've kept our freakish skill a secret, we can sit next to the class brainiac and ace our tests. We can dump our boyfriends right before they dump us. We know what our friends really think of our jeans, our breath, our new bangs. We always know what's coming. Some of us will thrive. Some of us will crack. None of us will ever be the same.
So stop obsessing about your ex. We're always listening.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Twenty-two normal, healthy sophomores go to the nurse's office and receive their annual flu shot. Within 24 hours, their lives have all changed. They can now hear everyone's thoughts. Thank the good Lord there are limitations (distance, barriers, vision) or it would be enough to drive anyone completely mad. First there is the adjustment to this "super power." Then they begin speculating about how long it may last. After all, most side-effects from medications are temporary. Is there a cure? If there is a cure, should they take it or keep their ability?

Imagine if you could hear what everyone around you really thought. All of those times you were nervous during a performance and hoped you did well or wondered if everyone had noticed your new dress, you would know. Of course, you would also know when your best friend hates your favorite pair of skinny jeans or your mom thinks, well, whatever moms think.

Ms. Mlynowski is a veteran YA author, but this is the first of her books that I have read. I loved it. She is, quite obviously, a consummate story-teller. There is no indication that this will be a series, but if it were, I know that I would want to read more about the adventures of this team of classmates. I was particularly intrigued by the unusual POV of this story. I won't say anything more about that and allow you to discover what is so unique about it for yourself. If you decide to read this book, please stop back by and let me know what you thought as well.

Also form Sarah Mlynowski: