Heavy Metal and You

By: Christopher Krovatin

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Synopsis: Sam wears spiked bracelets, gets wasted with his friends, and has almost encyclopedic knowledge about heavy-metal music. But he's also incredibly intelligent and as knowledgeable about classic literature as he is about the music he loves. Sam attends an expensive all-boys prep school in New York City, and he and his buddies often cut classes to smoke or get an early start on the weekend. But all good things must end, and they do with a sudden crash when Sam begins to date Melissa, a straightedge who doesn't drink or do drugs and doesn't like the fact that he does. Sam tries to modify his behavior for the girl who is more important to him than he ever thought possible, but pleasing Melissa means completely changing who he is. This romance is chock-full of music references, slang, and general metalhead band knowledge such as album release dates, etc. The language is raw and full of sexual talk and innuendo, especially among Sam and his friends. The main characters are well developed and mostly believable, if a bit more emotional than expected on Sam's part. The plot moves quickly and jumps from past to present, with Sam interspersing his current situation with relevant scenes from his past. This rapid progression, as well as the realistic situations and language, keep teens' attention, making the book a good choice for reluctant readers.