Del is just your average metal-head. Well, no-so average when you add in the fact that he is straight-edge and works at his aunt's church part time. But average when you look at music, and computer game playing. His dad just told him that he's getting married. Sure Del didn't expect him to stay single since his mother passed away when he was 9, but getting married means a lot of changes.
For Neilly, first it was her boyfriend saying "let's see other people". Then it was her best friend, apologizing for hooking up with said (ex)boyfriend the one weekend Neilly was out of town. Finally it was her mother, who she caught with a guy, and by the way, she's getting married.
Del and Neilly might have been strangers before, but now their lives are going to be combined really fast. Neilly might have been the cute girl of Del's daydreams, but now she's going to be his step-sister and sharing a house with him. Del might have been nobody to Neilly, but now he's going to be there for her when no one else is.
Think things sound messy? Add in a soon to be sibling into the mix, and even you might agree that Del and Neilly have reasons to be upset with their parents.
Notes From the Blender takes two teens (in two voices) and gives them a place to tell their unusual story. From Del's inability to deal with the death of his mother, and his desire for a girlfriend, to Neilly's support for her dad's relationship with another man, plus the boy issues in her own life both characters are going through a lot. Authors Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin do a great job making the characters relate-able and readable.
If you enjoy books like Heavy Metal and You, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Scrambled Eggs at Midnight, this book is for you. With a little bit of romance, a lot of family drama, and a good dose of humor Notes From the Blender is a fast summer read that will have you laughing.
I'll see you @ the library!
Katie (Now reading Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt)