<h3>What Happened to Cass McBride?</h3>

Giles, G. (2004). What Happened to Cass McBride? NY: Little Brown and Company. ISBN: 9780316166393.

Plot Summary: Cass McBride is one of the overachieving and popular kids at her school. At seventeen, she’s a brilliant political schemer and has been groomed for success by her calculating, entrepreneurial father. So when Cass is approached by dorky David Kirby, who asks her out on a date, she has a hard time not laughing at him. She dismisses him politely but mocks him in a cruel note to her friend. David finds the note and commits suicide soon after.

David's handsome, guilt-ridden older brother, Kyle, discovers Cass's note and blames her for his brother’s death. Angry and desperate for revenge, Kyle kidnaps Cass and buries her alive, keeping her breathing just long enough to mentally torture her for what she's done. Intense conversation between them follows, as the police narrow their pursuit, to reveal Kyle’s troubles with his mother. Cass also reveals thoughts of her own self-doubt and acknowledgement of her own unpleasant qualities. By the end, they learn much about their own characters and motivations, even if we as readers never fully know if Cass is ever rescued by the police or able to escape her premature grave.

Critical Evaluation: This is an unusual suspense novel, mostly because of the extent Kyle seeks to extract revenge with a gruesome crime of his own. It’s an unsettling novel as the author doesn’t give any easy answers to many questions, including the motivations for suicide, oppressive parental expectations and teen criminal behavior. This novel will hold great appeal for any teen who has been wronged or hurt by classmates, but it would be hard to feel much sympathy or compassion towards these snobby, conniving, lonesome teens whose characters are neither likeable or admirable. Teens may relate, but there isn’t enough meat to this thriller to lend a valuable lesson or deeper understanding about themselves.

Reader’s Annotation:
Can you believe the beautiful and popular Cass McBride has been buried alive by classmate Kyle Kirby, who blames her for his brother David's suicide? Find out if she can convince Kyle to let her go before time runs out…

Information About the Author:
Gail Giles was born in Texas and studied at the Stephen F. Austin State University. A former high school teacher, she has written five young adult novels. Among the recognitions she has received for her work include ALA’s Best of the Best Book list, the Booklist Top 10 Mystery for Youth list and the Book Sense 76 Selections. She currently lives in Texas with her husband, two dogs and three cats. She has one son and two grandsons.

Genre:
Teen Issues: Death and Deadly Disease, Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Problems, Crime and Criminals, Missing Teens
Adventure: Survival
Mystery: Suspense

Curriculum Ties: English class, Psychology class, Social Studies class, Book Clubs

Booktalking Ideas:
1.) What teens feel when other teens mistreat, hurt and ignore them
2.) Desire for revenge and anger as a result of loss
3.) The effects of parental expectations
4.) Difference cliques in high school and perceived status
5.) Teen crime and its ramifications

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 10-12

Challenge Issues/Defenses:

Potential Challenges:
• Portrayal of teen committing crimes
• Depictions of violence
• Adult Language
• Content includes references to teen pregnancy and sexual behavior

Defense Strategy:
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp

• Provide a link to book reviews by literary journals and media publications:
http://lmclive.org/bookpages0809/WhatHappenedCassMcbride.html

• Provide a link to book reviews by actual readers from a publicly accessible website:
http://www.amazon.com/What-Happened-Cass-McBride-Giles/dp/0316166383
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/What-Happened-to-Cass-McBride/Gail-Giles/e/9780316166393

Why This Book Was Included: It was recommended on a list of books for young adults. The synopsis sounded interesting and different. It’s a good book for teens who like to read mysteries and suspense novels. It’s not the greatest story or the best written novel, but it does have interesting moments. It raises some compelling questions about teen cruelty, suicide and the role parents play in the character development of their children.