Black, Holly. Valiant. Simon & Schuster: 2005. ISBN: 0689868227.
Summary:
Val is having a bad day. She was just kicked off the lacrosse team for fighting, again. Her boyfriend is a no-show for their date and she walks in on her mother and boyfriend engaging in some serious foreplay. Unsure of where to go and what to do, Val takes the train to New York City, shaves her head and begins living in an abandoned subway tunnel. Life on the street is uncomfortable and cold, but going home is not an option. Val makes friends with Dave, Lolli and Luis, also street dwellers. These new friends are savvy about living on the streets and share their advice with Val. Even the bit about fairies and monsters.
Evaluation:
This book is part fantasy, realistic fiction, romance and mystery, touching on homosexuality and trans-species sex. Written in third person the reader always has an overall view of the action. The characters are not sympathetic and I didn't make a connection with any of them. The setting, the subway underground and the streets of New York City are the best part of the story. This is not Harry Potteresque fantasy. Think Lord of the Rings mixed with Identical by Ellen Hopkins.
Reader's Annotation:
Sometimes, you should be afraid of the dark.
Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
This book touches on dysfunctional parenting, drug abuse and runaways. At times teens think that drugs or running away will solve their problems. It doesn't, it just creates more, even if no monsters or fairies are involved.
Genre:
Paranormal/Realistic Fiction
Why I Read This Book:
I only read this book for class. Most of the time when I have to read something that I would normally never pick up, I end up being glad I spent the time reading it. This book is an exception. I wanted to stop after the first few chapters and that feeling didn't change by the last page.
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