Just when everyone thinks terrorism in the U.S. can’t get worse, the unthinkable happens: a bombing at Disney World. So many lives are shattered and many think all hope is lost but a glimmer is found once Iris is discovered. Initially Iris seems to just be an average girl with little influence beyond her small group of friends and family. Against her wishes she becomes famous (many think she’s going to save the world), and it’s interesting to see the process she goes through as she discovers what people expect of her and how she deals with it. Iris’s support group is amazing though; the characters she surrounds herself with each have the perfect place in the story and in Iris’s life. The plot at first seemed like it might get a little sacrilegious, but author Katelyn Detweiler handled it well and didn’t go in that direction. It is a clever storyline with interesting execution. I anticipated the story to have more religious overtones but it actually didn’t focus on religion as much as it was about accepting and helping others–even if it’s not in the way they expect. If you enjoy books about a world that needs saving, this is one you should check out.

Review of an Advance Reading Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Viking Books for Young Readers

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  14 religious exclamations; 39 mild obscenities; 5 religious profanities; 4 derogatory names; 35 scatological words; 13 anatomical terms; 25 f-word derivatives. 

Violence/Gore:  Many (23) brief incidents including character hoping fights don’t occur; character wants to punch another; violent metaphors; character thinks another might have committed suicide; characters pretending and wishing others were dead; threats; secondhand report of bombing at Disney World resulting in the death of many, including children; reference to murder and terrorism; secondhand reports of characters dying; rumors that a character is a gang member; character wears shirt that says, “Meat is murder”; secondhand report of character getting knocked unconscious and fakes miscarriage; character receives threatening calls; bullying; character nearly dies; verbal threat and throat cut slightly; character hits another on the head causing slight injuries.

Sex/Nudity:  Many (23) brief incidents including secondhand report of characters making out; hugging; kissing; arm around; character carries another; cuddling; touching face; reference to character not having sex but being pregnant; characters throw condoms at another; reference to lesbians; innuendo; reference to sex; character called a whore.

Mature Subject Matter:

Murder, terrorism, homelessness, reference to lesbians, references to suicide and schizophrenia.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Character smells pot; character wonders if another is selling drugs; references to characters getting drunk; references to characters getting high; adult characters drinking wine and beer both socially and with dinner; character is drunk; smoking.