'89 Walls, by Katie Pierson
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'89 Walls, by Katie Pierson
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Seth spends his minimum wage on groceries and fakes happiness to distract his mom from the MS that's killing her. It's agony to carry around a frayed love note for a girl who's both out of his league and beneath his dignity. College-bound Quinn is finishing high school on top. That cynical, liberal guy in her social studies class, though, makes her doubt herself and her old assumptions. When their passionate romance takes them both by surprise, they keep it a secret: it's too early to make plans and too late not to care. But it's 1989. As politics suddenly get personal, they find themselves fighting bare-fisted for their beliefs and each other--in the clear light of day.
'89 Walls, by Katie Pierson- Amazon Sales Rank: #703799 in Books
- Published on: 2015-06-08
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 8.43" h x .51" w x 5.43" l, .0 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 264 pages
From School Library Journal Gr 9 Up—Pierson packs AIDS, abortion, suicide and more in her message-heavy 1989 romance. Quinn and Seth have different viewpoints on most things, as evidenced by their heated classroom debates. They've met their match in each other, and a mature and respectful first love story follows—although the plot is secondary to the setting. The author's passion for the periodis clear. The narrative is built around the events of the decade, instead of starting with a compelling story and then setting it in a specific time frame. Instead of delving deeply into a few issues, numerous big themes are only touched upon at a surface level. Stylistically, Pierson makes curious choices as to what details she provides in the story line and pacing and which ones are left out. Quinn's pregnancy reveal and the internal conflict that ensues on whether she should have an abortion is given short shrift while a sex scene with Seth garners pages of excruciating detail. Also, Quinn's breakup with her best friend seems rather abrupt. Politics, not the personal, drives the story. Pierson's novel reads like a primer on the 80s through the eyes of likable, although unmemorable, characters. VERDICT An exploration of the recent past with uneven pacing and ill-defined characters.—Laura Falli, McNeil High School, Austin, TX
Review "A candid coming-of-age story more in the vein of Judy Blume than Stephanie Meyer. Adolescent sexuality is portrayed frankly, and the issue of abortion is also addressed. The novel addresses serious topics such as poverty, chronic illness and end of life challenges, but does so without leaving the reader overwhelmed. Katie Pierson manages to capture the exaltation and terror of being an adolescent, evoking the freedom and promise of the end of high school." -- Carla, educator and NetGalley reviewer"Part political science primer, part romance, with a dash of honest and touching teen sex tossed in for fun, this book was a pleasant surprise.... I really enjoyed reading this book." -- Anna, Librarian"Katie Pierson opens a time capsule from the 1980's for her readers that is filled with all things adolescent: independence, angst, personal identity, death, love and sexuality. Quinn, a driven, popular and successful student finds her world turned upside down when she receives a note from and awkward, brooding, whip smart classmate, Seth. Added to the mix are socio-economic and world issues of the Eighties, making for a thought-provoking, steamy novel that you can't put down until you read the last page." --Nissa, educator"This. This is a satisfying teen romance novel, set entirely in 1989 but... This is a starting place for teens to ask questions about their world, their parents, their politics, abortion, apartheid, states rights, gun control, welfare, aids, foreign policy. Forget teens, this is a starting place for adults to think, notice, ask, question, begin to find ways to make a difference. And did I mention how it's also a satisfying teen romance? I hope kids who read this go ask questions about how the world got from 1989 to 2015." -Lissa, librarian [B]ut beyond all the glory of the setting, the story was terrific! The characters and their personal stories gave the reader depth and connection. From Seth's very realistic problems as he single-handedly takes care of his sick mother to Quinn's everyday real 'teen' issues, the characters and their chemistry is perfection. I strongly encourage YA fans to pick up and devour this delightful gem. I loved its sweetness, relevance and realistic narrative told from alienating points of view. You will not regret taking a chance on this book!" --Cheryl, educator''As with the political discussions, issues of sex and sexuality in '89 Walls are rich and complex, a mix of desire, consequences, awkward embarrassment and intensely delightful exploration.'' --Carrie Mesrobian, Minnesota Book Award-winning author of Sex & Violence and Perfectly Good White Boy''Katie Pierson has written a book that is important as it is impossible to put down. '89 Walls is a smart, frank, and courageous novel that brings us back to a strange and important era, all the while shedding new light on the issues and taboos that haunt us till this day.'' --Nina De Gramont, author of Every Little Thing in the World, Meet Me at the River, and The Boy I Love''This lively and well-turned novel has serious value. It's stealth-history of a crucial year, 1989, when walls of all kinds come crashing down.'' --Will Weaver, Minnesota Book Award-winning author of Full Service, Defect, and ''A Gravestone Made of Wheat,'' (adapted for the film Sweetland)
From the Author I never planned to write a novel. I just like to read them. But a conversation with a friend in 2006 about the pros and cons of potentially attending my 20th high school reunion brought to mind the random people you run into at those things: old crushes, old "frenemies." I suddenly had the idea for Seth and Quinn's reluctant romance in '89 Walls. It wasn't until I was half done that I realized that the story was also a partisan allegory. Seth is the Democratic Party in the late 80's: reactive, angry, without a compass. Quinn's father, Tom is the Republican Party: optimistic, smug, still grounded in a true small government philosophy and underestimating the rising Religious Right with its creepy fascination with people's private lives. Mr. Levine, the teacher, is the moderator who allows two strong points of view to talk it out respectfully. Quinn is all of us, trying to find her way when tidy theories crash into reality. My critics hate '89 Walls in an interestingly passionate sort of way. They say I have an agenda. This cracks me up. Of course I have an agenda. As does everyone I've ever met. One of my characters says, "If you think you're neutral, you're kidding yourself." '89 Walls is about the choices we make in love, sex, family loyalties, politics and friendship. It's a fast-paced summer read for older teens and anyone who remembers the 1980s. Message-wise, I'd describe it as pro-dialogue, pro-choice, and pro-young people. Readers who experienced 1989 as teenagers may be surprised to discover how much went down that year: divestiture in apartheid South Africa, the Tiananmen Square protests, the Webster decision, the Iran-Contra scandal, the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the savings and loan crisis, the growing AIDS epidemic, the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the premiere of Seinfeld. I see YA less as a genre than a state of mind: there's no formula for plotting or world-building. The only criteria for young adult literature is that they feature a teen as the protagonist. Technically speaking, Shakespeare, Salinger, Mark Twain, Jane Austen and Margaret Mitchell all authored YA. I love it because it's inherently relatable. We've all been there.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Coming of Age in the 80's By Maria D. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as a part of a book tour for a fair and honest review and rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars.A coming of age story set in Lincoln, Nebraska, ’89 Walls by Katie Pierson is a genre crossing mix filled with teenage angst, first love, sex, politics, and religion. It’s also a mix of first and third person point of view, colorful and diverse characters and the reminder that regardless of how you may feel, time marches on to the beat of its own drum and takes you along for the journey. While written for the Teen/Young Adult crowd, this is a book many adults would enjoy.Ms. Pierson does a good job developing both Quinn and Seth’s characters from the very start; while they are both the same age, in the same grade and even attend one class together at the same high school, they come from different political backgrounds, different socio-economic backgrounds and of course different genders. While they’ve attended school together for some time they don’t belong to the same “cliques” and have never really gotten to know each other on a personal basis. All of that changes when Seth takes a chance and gives Quinn a note letting her know he thinks she’s got it going on and hints at his willingness to go out on a date sometime – if she is so inclined. While Quinn is surprised, and is dating a young man in her own social circle, she soon realizes that she’s really interested in him and that her “current relationship” is going nowhere and is simply convenient.The secondary characters play a large role in this book, especially Quinn’s parents, Seth’s mom and their history/current events teacher Mr. Levine. Using the political events taking place in 1989 (hence the title of the book0, Ms. Pierson covers a variety of topics that are still politically hot: War (the end of the Cold War and the future of the U.S. versus Communism), Race Relations (Apartheid), China and Human Rights (Tienemen Square), Women’s Rights via the battle over Roe vs Wade (Abortion), life threatening diseases, treatment and who gets to pay for it (Aids and M.S.). While Ms. Pierson allows some of her own political bias to come through in some of the commentary, she did try to respect other viewpoints and pointed out in the story that everyone should have a voice and be respectful of other’s opinions.Ms. Pierson’s voice as a writer is enjoyable, her story is well paced and it’s hard to believe this is her debut novel; I’ve read quite a few books covering part of these topics from much more experienced authors that weren’t as well written. While I think this is an excellent book for young adults to read, I would have to caution against anyone under 17 reading this book. I think the subject matter is too mature for anyone younger than that. Overall I really enjoyed reading this story and wish something like this had been available when I was a freshman in college covering a part of my youth.Will Quinn and Seth’s mutual attraction lead to their first real love? Will the issues they discuss and learn in school help them as they get ready to graduate from high school and begin their lives as adults? You’ll have to read ’89 Walls to find out. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Ms. Pierson’s work.I would like to close out my review with a personal comment; while reading ’89 Walls, I was reminded of a song by Bob Dylan. While Mr. Dylan’s song was written when the characters in this book would not even have been born, yet I do feel that this song best describes how time and politics marches on as we and our children age. It was also the background music during a pivotal scene in the movie Watchmen that this book brought to mind – and yes, that’s a good thing:)"The Times They Are A-Changin'" Music and Lyrics by Bob DylanCome gather 'round peopleWherever you roamAnd admit that the watersAround you have grownAnd accept it that soonYou'll be drenched to the boneIf your time to youIs worth savin'Then you better start swimmin'Or you'll sink like a stoneFor the times they are a-changin'.Come writers and criticsWho prophesize with your penAnd keep your eyes wideThe chance won't come againAnd don't speak too soonFor the wheel's still in spinAnd there's no tellin' whoThat it's namin'For the loser nowWill be later to winFor the times they are a-changin'.Come senators, congressmenPlease heed the callDon't stand in the doorwayDon't block up the hallFor he that gets hurtWill be he who has stalledThere's a battle outsideAnd it is ragin'It'll soon shake your windowsAnd rattle your wallsFor the times they are a-changin'.Come mothers and fathersThroughout the landAnd don't criticizeWhat you can't understandYour sons and your daughtersAre beyond your commandYour old road isRapidly agin'Please get out of the new oneIf you can't lend your handFor the times they are a-changin'.The line it is drawnThe curse it is castThe slow one nowWill later be fastAs the present nowWill later be pastThe order isRapidly fadin'And the first one nowWill later be lastFor the times they are a-changin'.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Bringing both the final days of the Cold War & high school to life By D. Reise It would seem that teenagers in Lincoln, Nebraska would be far removed from world events during the final days of the Cold War. Author Katie Pierson effectively connects the complicated mix of hope and relief, but also anxiety and risk, that came with the big changes on the world stage and the big changes as Seth and Quinn are finishing high school and facing the rest of their lives.In ways I've seen few young adult books accomplish, '89 Walls effectively captures the inner monologue of young people experiencing their first romance, managing changing relationships with family, and encountering existential questions of who they are in the world, why life isn't fair, and the roll of politics in our personal lives.The book deserves immense kudos for tackling hot-button social issues by realistically personalizing them. These are matters not frequently explored in these ways contemporary literature, especially young adult literature, but author Katie Pierson is fearless. And still, the reader is not bludgeoned with the "heavy issues." The book is simply honest about what many young people experience. We could use more books like this one.Lastly, the scenes are beautifully descriptive. I loved how the appearance and changes in the buildings, trees, flowers, and the weather were woven into the story. The cracked concrete, the smell of grass, the movement of clouds, the blooming forsythia complimented the events of the book or the emotional state of the characters. The book made me miss having forsythia in my yard. I'm going to have to plant some now.Highly recommend.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Thought-provoking book! By Sam White I liked this book more than I thought I would. It is definitely a cut above most YA fiction. The book is set in 1989 and weaves the time period into the story beautifully. It captures the hopes and feelings of this period quite well. For a reader like me who remembers the late 1980s, I loved all the details from the late 80s. The characters are well-drawn and are dealing with a number of challenges. The book, to its credit, does not back done from or sugar-coat the issues the characters face. The book is also fairly political and shows the greater stakes in the predicaments the characters face. This book seems appropriate for older teens (16+). It s well-written and a quick read. I highly recommend it.
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