Pages

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider

by:  Robyn Schneider
published by:  Katherine Tegen Books
publish date:  May 26, 2015

At seventeen, overachieving Lane finds himself at Latham House, a sanatorium for teens suffering from an incurable strain of tuberculosis. Part hospital and part boarding school, Latham is a place of endless rules and confusing rituals, where it's easier to fail breakfast than it is to flunk French.There, Lane encounters a girl he knew years ago. Instead of the shy loner he remembers, Sadie has transformed. At Latham, she is sarcastic, fearless, and utterly compelling. Her friends, a group of eccentric troublemakers, fascinate Lane, who has never stepped out of bounds his whole life. And as he gradually becomes one of them, Sadie shows him their secrets: how to steal internet, how to sneak into town, and how to disable the med sensors they must wear at all times.

This book is about a fictional strain of tuberculosis.  It took me awhile to catch on to that.  I'm in freaking nursing school and listening to this audiobook wondering why I've never heard of this crazy TB that has kids quarantined.  Finally, I realized "oh you know what, it's not a real thing."  It made me feel super smart.

Lane catches this TB while he's fast tracking his way through high school on his way to becoming valedictorian.  He's doing all the right things to get into his college of choice, he has the girlfriend that is perfect for him and then he gets sick and has to go to Latham House so he doesn't infect everyone around him.  When he's there, he recognizes a girl from summer camp and she has become the Latham House rebel.  Lane is determined to become friends with her and her gang.  Once he does, his life becomes forever changed.  They come to view their illness in different ways, good and bad, and dangerous.

I didn't start this book with too many expectations. I wasn't even really sure what it was about when I started it.  I loved it though.  It was such a great story.  All those people that are looking for something to read after The Fault in Our Stars would probably really enjoy this book.  It's not the same, but it's kind of along similar lines.  This one is a highly recommended from my for the YA readers!


No comments: