Helga

Gr 9 Up–Eighteen-year-old Helga is not your typical teen girl living on a volcanic island—she is a science experiment her father developed; a new twist on the classic Frankenstein story. When Helga’s father goes away for a business trip, Helga escapes his lab assistant, Penny, and goes to Amaris City, “a place like no other.” She soon finds the night market of the city which is full of clubs, friends, boys, and all kinds of delectable treats. And what do most science experiments who turn into teen girls want? Love. Helga only has so much time before her father returns or disaster ensues. This YA novel is fun to read—it’s spunky, funny, and enlightening. Yu presents a refreshing coming-of-age story about a teenage girl who is put together like Frankenstein. During the course of the novel, Helga learns about relationships with boys, friends, and family. Helga reminds readers what it is to be human; there are wonderful things in the world, but not everything is perfect, especially with a young, teenage worldview.