Palefire

Gr 10 Up—Alison knows that she should avoid Darren. Her mother, brother, and best friend all tell her as much. Darren has a reputation. Most people think he's a pyromaniac. Some say he burned his brother's hand beyond recognition. No one knows for sure. Maybe Alison wants to find out. Maybe she wants to give Darren a chance because no one else will. It's not like she's being inundated with potential suitors. Darren seems to like her. Why not? In this initial collaboration between author Reed and graphic artist Dalrymple, they attempt to capture the apathetic dread that often accompanies teenagers of the opposite sex who start to "hang out" with one another. Alison and Darren don't really go out on a date per se. They are really trying to decide if they even like each other as they get to know each other better. Some of Alison's lack of confidence issues are touched upon as are the darker elements of Darren's personality, but the piece really captures a brief moment between the two, which will no doubt resonate with teenagers who themselves have had awkward interactions with a boy or girl that they may like. While Dalrymple's art is simple and accessible for multiple ages, Reed's use of strong adult language may make the title unsuitable for younger readers.