Brooklyn, Burning
Author: Steve Brezenoff
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
3½ out of 5 stars
After Felix left nothing has
been the same.
There
has been an inexplicable shift that no one can identify, but we all feel it. He’s gone and I don’t know how much longer I
can take it. All around me I see the
reminders of Felix everywhere. But… now
there might be someone else. There’s
Scout. Scout, who plays the guitar. Scout, whose voice is the soundtrack of my
summer. Scout, who has made my summer
worthwhile. Scout, who I think I might
love.
Kid
has roamed the streets of Greenpoint, Brooklyn for two summers now. Kid will catch up with Konny, or go and find Jonny. Then Kid might stop by Fish’s bar later and
help clean up for a warm Coke or two.
This is Kid’s life. Kid is past
worrying about making it home, or about how Felix isn’t around anymore, or even
the fact that the warehouse is burned down.
Kid is just trying to get by.
Kid
and Scout just happen to be in the same place at the same time. They’re just two kids who happen to be
roaming the streets at an ungodly hour of the morning and happen to stop by
Fish’s bar. They’re just two kids… no,
they’re much more than that. They’re two
teens who, amid all the chaos of their world, have found one another. And that makes it all okay.
But
will the past catch up with Kid? Last
year’s warehouse fire is still under investigation, and Kid is the number one
suspect. Will Kid be forced to move back
home, or will Kid be taken in for starting the fire? And what about Scout? Could Scout be the new Felix? All is revealed in Steve Brezenoff’s profound
novel about two teens’ journey to live their lives on their own terms in, Brooklyn, Burning!
Brooklyn, Burning had so many aspects about it that made it stand
out. This is definitely not a novel that
I will forget anytime soon. Filled with
emotion, hope, and love, this is a book that will uplift your spirit and remind
you what really matters in life. I
received Brooklyn, Burning from
NetGalley*, and I recommend it for teens fourteen and up as it does contain
some mature content.
The
most striking feature about Brooklyn,
Burning is the fact that the genders of the two main characters, Kid and
Scout, are never revealed throughout the entire book. At first it was a bit difficult to read Brooklyn, Burning and follow the story,
as I felt that I needed to know the genders of both characters. I felt that it was absolutely necessary. As I kept reading though, I realized that I
didn’t need to know whether Kid or Scout was male or female. It didn’t matter. The story was still the same story, with or
without defining the teens’ gender, and that made it all the more beautiful.
“This
is not a love story. This is a story
about love.” I feel that this quote from
the movie 500 Days of Summer describes
Brooklyn, Burning perfectly. It’s not a story about two teens falling in
love and living happily ever after. It’s
about the love that Kid has for Kid’s chosen family, for Scout, for Kid’s life,
for the city Kid lives in, and for what once was. I really appreciated the fact that the focus
of the story wasn't some typical love story, but it was so much more than
that. This book showed what love really
is, and that it doesn’t have to be labeled or branded. It’s just there, and that should be enough.
It
was a bit difficult for me to really get into the story at first. The writing was a bit awkward, as Kid is
narrating and Kid refers to Scout as ‘you,’ almost as if Kid is talking
directly to Scout. Soon it felt natural
reading from Kid’s point of view. I was
able to connect so much more to the story, as it was as if Kid was talking to
me directly. Brooklyn is described in detail
as Kid roams the streets and summer dwindles away. Steve Brezenoff paints beautiful pictures of
the streets of Brooklyn that only someone who has a true respect for its beauty
would be able to do. It was hard for me
to relate, as I have never been to Brooklyn and don’t really know much about it
in general. I think anyone who lives in
Brooklyn, or has visited, will be able to fully appreciate the beauty of it in Brooklyn, Burning.
Kid’s
first summer in Brooklyn ended in devastation and loss. As the story unfolded, more of Kid’s curious
past is revealed. However, it was
challenging to try and piece together everything that has happened. Some examples would be Felix and the
warehouse fire. Both are critical points
in the book, yet it was hard for me to understand what was currently happening,
as I didn’t know much about these two very important events. While you learn bits and pieces as the book
progresses, you never get the full story.
Brooklyn, Burning is an evocative novel that will have you following
along as Kid makes the most of summer, after everything has changed. Tackling issues that many teens have to deal
with, this is a book that is meaningful and a fresh take on a love story. Join Kid and Scout as they try to make their
summer last forever, and go backwards to recover that which was left behind in
the rush in, Brooklyn, Burning!
-This is T.B. with Another Book Back on the Shelf…
Until Next Time, Keep Reading!
Check out Steve Brezenoff's website at www.stevebrezenoff.com.
Wow, this sounds like an amazing book. I love that quote from 500 Days of Summer though. I think the fact that the reader doesn't know Kid or Scout's genders would make it really unique and just intrigues me more, along with the mystery of Kid's past. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a great book! I would probably try to pin down the sex of the characters, too. I was trying to in your review, but you're right, it doesn't matter. Love is love and if this author has done it that well without ever revealing their sex, then I think this book needs to get a lot of publicity!
ReplyDeleteAs for your review, it was amazing! You are such a great writer and your reviews make me want to rush out and get the books right away! I already have The Goats waiting here by my bed for me to read. Keep it up!
Heather
Wow, wonderful review Tessa! I got this one from NetGalley too, and after reading this review of yours... well, I just cannot wait!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!! :D
Tia- Thanks, I'm glad this one sounds so interesting! I love that quote from 500 Days of Summer as well :) Not revealing both Kid and Scout's genders throughout the entire story was a great feat, and it made this book all the more compelling to read.
ReplyDeleteBuried In Books- I agree, I think this book should be read far and wide, because it really dawned on me as I was reading, that the genders weren't what was important. The story was still the same, and their love for one another shown through.
Aww, thank you so much! That means so much to me. I'm so glad that my reviews make you want to go out and read the book, and I really hope you enjoy The Goats as well! If I can get one person to want to go read a book and get lost in its story, then I've done what I set out to do :)
TheBookAddictedGirl- Thanks so much! I can't wait to hear what you think of this one. I really think you'll enjoy it :D
This book sounds really good! I would be thrown off without the genders of Kid and Scout as well, but I think the way it's narrated would be enticing enough to get me through it. I like how you described this book and am putting it on my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteYay, I hope you enjoy this one! Not knowing the genders of Kid and Scout definitely becomes easier to deal with as the story progresses, and the narration helps as well. I can't wait to hear what you think of this one!
ReplyDelete