Virgin Parents: What it Doesn't Say On The Tin - Chris Griffin

Advantages: Great story line
Disadvantages: not enough suspension

...Hmmmmm... what to say about this book? I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it but it wasn't too exciting. THE PLOT The plot was basically about this boy called Fergal who decides to collect tins that have no labels on, he finds it interesting I suppose, like when collect cards, you have to buy them in the packet, yet you don't know what you'll get when you open them, except these are cans he doesn't open. Then when he's parents get angry at him cluttering up the room, he decides to open the lightest one. He opens it and finds a sleeper (a type of earring), then he opens another one later and finds a gross finger. This puzzles him, then he finds a new tin and tries to get it but Charlotte is collecting tins as well and she and him turn best friends, she's opened her cans and found a ring and an ear, the sleeper fits in the ear and the ring... Read review

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Advantages: Novel
Disadvantages: None

...What did you think about when you reached that 16 - 23 age. Years of real discovery, this book delves into the mind a highly intelligent Chris between these ages and is witty, observant and extremly well crafted. Girls, Authority figures and friends are given the once over Chris and his friend toni react against the standard ideas of parents. The side plot of the book is whether art has any effect on anybody, or whether it is just there to amuse people. An excellent book that charts Chris through into adulthood and his transformation into the same type of figure as his parents. A great book, which does not fail to amuse or provoke thought.... Read review

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Advantages: Raises important questions, excellent characters, original story
Disadvantages: I guessed the ending - including the twist

...Seventeen-year-old Emily Gold is found shot, with her boyfriend, Chris Harte, next to her. She is taken to hospital and pronounced dead. Chris has a head injury, claiming he fainted when Emily shot herself and was unable to follow through his original plan - to shoot himself straight after. The Golds and the Hartes have been neighbours for 18 years and are close friends. Chris and Emily, who had only a 6 month age difference, were brought up together - almost like brother and sister - and their parents were thrilled when they started dating. Chris says that he and Emily had a suicide pact, which turns their parents' world upside down: how could two apparently normal teenagers be suicidal without their parents noticing? The Pact is essentially a story that explores the boundaries of love. How far would you go for someone you love? Would... Read review

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