This Will Go Down on Your Permanent Record by Susannah Felts
This Will Go Down on Your Permanent Record (TWGDOYPR) is reminiscent of The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Similar feelings of teenage angst are palpable. The biggest stumbling block for me about this book, is that some teens may view it as historical fiction. The references to music and technology are somewhat dated circa the 1980s-1990s. This is a plus for adults like me who appreciate the references to the time, but I’m not sure how well it’d go over with a teenage crowd who’s born in the 90’s. Aside from the old school allusions, it’s an enjoyable read about two friends who are close and then not.
Relationships in high school are tough. I’m not talking about the romantic kind of relationships, although those are tough too. I’m talking about relationships between friends. Not all friendships are as ideal as the ones in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants where the girls grew up together and send a bunch of correspondence and pants around. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who hasn’t had a best friend from kindergarten. TWGDOYPR explores Vaughn’s changing friendship with Sophie and the events that influence their relationship.
The situations and settings are gritty and real. Drinking and drugs are a part of Vaughn’s world as much as taking photographs. An element of social class is also a theme that flickers in and out of the backdrop of the story. For more details click here for the featherproof website.