Staff Pick
A young adult novel addressing adolescent mental health issues, Klickitat is eerie and filled with tension. When older sister Audra leaves home, younger sister Vivian is completely distraught. Set in Portland, by local author Peter Rock, Klickitat is a haunting story of broken souls looking for solace. A story thread that references a character from Rock's My Abandonment, is a delicious surprise. Beautiful! Recommended By Dianah H., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Vivian feels left behind when her older sister, Audra, runs away from home. She believes that Audra will return and pays careful attention to the clues around her. Then, inexplicably, writing begins to appear in a blank notebook.
When Audra does come back for Vivian, she’s in the company of a strange man. The three of them run away together and practice wilderness survival. While Audra plans for the future, Vivian continues to gather evidence: Who is this mysterious man, and does he have any connection to the words appearing in her notebook?
Klickitat is a haunting story, full of atmosphere and awakening, crafted by one of today's most startling literary talents.
Review
"Alex Award winner Rock (My Abandonment, 2009) weaves a quiet, highly atmospheric tale of sisterly love, finding your true self, and personal connection. The idea of communication pervades the narrative—disembodied voices snared by radio frequencies, cryptic words that appear in Vivian’s notebook as if by magic. This is a novel for contemplative teens that will prompt them to examine the world they know in a new light." Booklist
Review
"...the book features themes that teens can easily relate to: developing one’s identity, coping with distant parents, questioning authority, and rejecting “the way things are.” ...This is a quick read, and the tension is maintained throughout, making this ideal for mystery lovers and reluctant readers. VERDICT A gripping, tautly constructed, down-the-rabbit-hole mystery." School Library Journal
Review
"... this pensive, atmospheric novel rewards its readers with an unsettling yet beguiling exploration of how humans connect with each other, their environment, and what lies beyond." The Horn Book
Review
" Brooding, evocative, mysterious; a tale for mature readers to dig into—and then discuss." Kirkus
About the Author
PETER ROCK is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and a Wallace Stegner Fellowship. His adult novel My Abandonment won the Alex Award. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and two young daughters. www.peterrockproject.com.