The Half-Life of Planets

Gr 9 Up—This story is told from two alternating points of view. Liana, who loves studying about outer space, has recently been deemed a "slut" via an anonymous note, and she aims to disprove the label by not kissing anyone during summer break. Hank, who has a vast knowledge of music, has Asperger's syndrome, and he doesn't think that a girl would ever want to kiss him. When the teens meet, they quickly form a bond, yet as they navigate their friendship, they have a hard time expressing their individual needs. While the book is reminiscent of Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower (MTV, 1999) and Rachel Cohn and David Levithan's Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (Knopf, 2006), its unique qualities set it apart. The authors do an excellent job of demonstrating Hank's disorder without explaining it in detail. Liana's chapters, while not as strong as Hank's, nevertheless poignantly express her struggles with family issues and her negative self-image. Having both points of view gives readers a better understanding of each teen and the opportunity to witness the same scenes through different lenses, further aiding in understanding Asperger's. At times the story is bogged down by song titles, lyrics, and facts, but overall it is worth the read.—Sarah K. Allen, Elko Middle School, Sandston, VA