A Glass of Crazy (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781495494734)

Publishers Weekly Reviews A Glass of Crazy:

Bright and lively. Set on Galveston Island, the book's fresh and funny premise feels wholly modern, as Abby's politician father, John Alexander, is caught cheating on camera. With her home life broken and her friendships few (the school's mean girls bully her relentlessly), Abby seeks solace in a sweet, nicely fleshed out relationship with her best friend, Rafa. Abby eventually goes to visit her father in San Miguel, Mexico, and learns he has more than enough money to support himself and his mistress, Kat, whom Abby amusingly refers to as "the Kat creature." Descriptions of Mexico shine.

Amazon reviews the "Look Inside" excerpt:

The strongest aspect of this excerpt is the strong narrative voice. Abby is immediately portrayed as a sympathetic and complicated character. This brief excerpt reveals the underlying tensions in her life- the parental dynamic, her relationship with her best friend, her rivalry with the triple-Ms. To give the reader so much information through the story in such a short excerpt is an excellent accomplishment.

Booklife Prize in Fiction:

Abby, the plucky 14-year-old protagonist of this compelling, vividly written YA novel, begins self-medicating her sadness with alcohol after her parents' marriage disintegrates when a video surfaces of her senator father with his secret girlfriend. Laningham's narrative draws on the real emotions of teens with divorcing parents and the desperation felt when cliques, friends, and foes turn on them, particularly during their first year of high school. Deft characterization, crisp contemporary dialogue, and an engaging, if somewhat cliched, plot impressively converge in a story that touches on the lows of alcohol addiction and the intensity of friendship, all while applauding the achievement of sobriety. A well-written, relatable, if a bit lengthy, cautionary tale.

Score:

- Plot/Idea: 8

- Originality: 7

- Prose: 9

- Character/Execution: 9

- Overall: 8.25