Book Review: Snitch by Allison van Diepen

Snitch by Allison van Diepen
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 304
Received From: Store Bought

Summary: In a school run by gangs, staying out was harder than joining. We knew who our friends were, and were careful what we said. If people thought we were haters, it would only be a matter of time....Lines are clearly marked at South Bay High School. It's mixed territory for the Crips and the Bloods, which means the drama never stops. Julia DiVino wants none of it. No colors, no C-Walks -- it's just not her thing. But when Eric Valienté jumps into her life, everything changes. Lines are redrawn. And then they're crossed.

My Review: Snitch is a powerful, intriguing, and fast-paced novel. I quickly learned that the storyline was highly addictive where I literally finished the book in one day! Julia was a great character, she was strong willed and fearless. I was amazed at her courage and determination to not let a school full of gang members ruin her chances of college. I wouldn't be able to go to South Bay High School because you were under a microscope on a daily basis. If you looked at someone wrong or wore the wrong "color" it was an invitation to a deadly beating. As I read, Allison's writing came alive and I felt like I was on the streets of Brooklyn. Also, it does help that I actually know most of the places and areas mentioned in the book. Even though most of these places aren't as scary as they were portrayed in the story. So, Brooklyn isn't all gun shootings and gangs, just want to make that clear :) I live in a good Brooklyn neighborhood so I should know...

Now, the other character that I liked was Eric, Julia's boyfriend. He was an interesting character but also very influential with Julia. The moment he came into her life everything changed and I didn't agree with Julia's decisions at that point. Allison also surprised me with a shocking outcome at the end of the book. I seriously wasn't expecting it! But, I do need to warn my young readers that their is curse words left and right. They seem to all have potty mouths. Overall, a great read with interesting insight into gangs in schools.

My Rating: 5 out of 5
Author's Info:
In Allison's words, "If you’re reading this, you probably already know a few things about me. I’m the author of STREET PHARM, SNITCH, RAVEN, and a number of other teen novels at various stages on their way to a bookstore or library near you. I work full time as a high school teacher in Ottawa, Canada, and write evenings, weekends, and – thank God – summer vacations. I’ve been writing for more than half my life, and have been telling stories since I was a kid. Back then, I was into movies, and the original Terminator and Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure are among my all-time faves. As a teen, I fell in love with books and with writing, and my goal was to become a published author one day. In the meantime, I went to Carleton University, got a degree in History, and eventually went to teacher’s college. While still in teacher’s college, I heard that the NYC Dept of Ed was recruiting teachers. It sounded like a great adventure – and challenge – so I went to Toronto for the interview and got hired on the spot by the Brooklyn school board. Teaching in Brooklyn inspired my writing, and that’s when I wrote STREET PHARM and SNITCH. Since then, I’ve returned to my hometown, and have kept on teaching and writing."

For more info on Allison, check out her site:

http://www.allisonvandiepen.com

Other books by Allison:

Street Pharm
Raven

Up & Coming Books:

The Oracle of Dating (May 1, 2010)