FernFolio

Sixteen-year old Kim Cameron’s world seems to be defined these days by the painful consequences of love: her parents’ marriage cancelled due to lack of interest; her classmate Katie Matthews dumped by her boyfriend, John Reddear, who then commits suicide, it’s rumoured, because of his feelings for another boy on the volleyball team; Kim’s own complicated relationship with Ms. Archer, the drama and English teacher.
Nicknamed Skim by her classmates, because she isn’t, Kim dresses Goth, sneaks cigarettes behind the garage and in the woods near her private school, and, with her best friend, Lisa, devotes a lot of time to becoming Wiccan.  But gatherings with witches from Lisa’s sister’s coven seem pointless and vaguely sleazy, and, besides, Lisa is prone to getting on Skim’s case every time she doesn’t do as expected.  John’s suicide has the administration at their school suddenly focused on promoting good mental health, and eyeing girls who dress in black with concern.  Though Skim assures her parents, her teachers and her friends that she’s okay, she is depressed, because, as she notes, being sixteen is the officially the worst thing she’s ever been, and, in particular, by her unacknowledged feelings for Ms. Archer.
But Skim is no victim and, despite the persistent questions of adults and the annoyingly upbeat activities of the GCL Club (Girls Celebrate Life), she follows her own path to a new point of equilibrium and maturity.  In so doing, Skim becomes fast friends with Katie Matthews, whose boyfriend’s suicide has led to a trip off a garage roof which has landed her with two broken arms and a lot of unresolved rage of her own.
Written by Mariko Tamaki and wonderfully illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, Skim is an honest and compelling story about a young teen’s first experiences with love.  It is recommended for Intermediate students and older.
FernFolio Editor