Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Review: Lost in the '90s by Frank Anthony Polito


Author: Frank Anthony Polito
Publisher: Woodward Avenue Books
Publishing Date: April 2nd 2012
Pages: 298
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Coming of Age
Series: Stand Alone
Source: Paperback



Goodreads Summary:
Kurt loves the 1990s! Thanks to his parents who graduated Hazel Park High the exact same year he was born — 1994 — he’s a walking encyclopedia of ’90s nostalgia from “American Pie” to Zima.

Dave dreams of becoming the next Kurt Cobain. But first, he has to get himself out of “Hazeltucky” — and away from the pretty cheerleader he’s had his eye on since freshman year at “Hillbilly” High.

Michelle’s got it all: beauty, brains, and a popular boyfriend. The Homecoming Queen of HPHS is going places after graduation. The last thing she needs in her life is a wannabe grunge rocker — or a baby.

At his school’s “Lost in the ’90s” dance, a wild stage-dive into the mosh pit leaves Kurt face down on the floor, unconscious. When he wakes, he meets up with Michelle. But the boy doesn’t recognize the girl as being one of his classmates…and vice-versa.

After Kurt runs into Dave at the local diner, he senses something is definitely NOT right in the state of Michigan. Is it the old-fashioned TV set showing “Mad about You” reruns during primetime? Or the fact that, suddenly, there’s a smoking over section in the corner? Or maybe the date on this week’s Metro Times is what finally tips him off: April 6-12 — 1994!

Soon, it becomes apparent Kurt has traveled back in time. Bill Clinton is President of the United States, Ace of Base holds the #1 song in America, and somewhere in the “Friendly City” of Hazel Park, Kurt’s parents are both 18-year-old high school seniors.

But where could they possibly be…and what will happen if Kurt bumps into them.

Review:

When I first heard of this book I was really excited. I was a teenager in the 90s and I thought this should be good for nostalgia. The synopsis sounds funny and I should give it a try. I was not as pleased as I hoped I would be but it was still a bit of fun. 

The short version of the story is a boy, Kurt, who is obsessed with the 90s, he loves the clothes, the media, and the icons of the 90s. He is a few weeks away from graduation and he receives some life altering news. He hits his head and finds himself in the past. He is now in back to the year his parents graduate. Before finding his way back he must make sure that his parents get together and stay together. He also discovers a lot about his parents’ lives that he never knew. The time traveling adventure changes everything for Kurt.
The story was ok, the characters were ok. I didn’t feel the bond that I love to have with my characters. I didn’t dislike Kurt, but didn’t love him either. The characters fell flat for me. 

The story was a great idea but felt a little bit rushed. I think that I would have enjoyed the story more if there would have been a little more development. The writing style was good, the idea was there, just lacking enough to make it an ok book. On the bright side, I did get quite a laugh over the all the 90s mentions. It was fun to be taken back to my high school years just for a while. 

I did enjoy the read, just didn’t love it.

Rating:



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