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My Chemical Mountain
Rocked by his father's recent death and his mother's sudden compulsion to overeat, Jason lashes out by breaking into the abandoned mills and factories that plague his run-down town. Always by his side are his two best friends, Charlie, a fearless thrill junkie, and Cornpup, a geek inventor whose back is covered with cysts. The boys rage against the noxious pollution that suffocates their town and despise those responsible for it; at the same time, they embrace the danger of their industrial wasteland and boast about living on the edge.
Then on a night the boys vandalize one of the mills, Jason makes a costly mistake--and unwittingly becomes a catalyst for change. In a town like his, change should be a good thing. There's only one problem: change is what Jason fears most of all.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2013
8 people are currently reading
1051 people want to read
About the author
Corina Vacco
1 book16 followersCorina Vacco trespassed on toxic land and wrote the first draft of her debut novel, MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN, while parked in her car at the foot of a radioactive landfill—this book went on to win the Delacorte Prize for a First Young Adult Novel, was a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, and made the shortlist for the 2014 Green Earth Book Award. Corina's upcoming projects include two strange, otherworldly middle grade novels and a hilarious picture book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
March 1, 2013
SUMMARY: Three boys repress their fear and dive head-first into the thrills of landfill culture: breaking into abandoned buildings, speeding down landfills on their dirt bikes, and worse. Jason, the main character, blames a chemical company for his father’s death, and seeks revenge, but what can he really do against such a powerful enemy? The boys cope and lash out in surprising ways—Jason through his artwork, Charlie through upping the stakes of toxic exposure, and Cornpup through trying to ignite change in the community. Change does occur, but at a terrible price.
WHAT I LOVED:
-- The author uses literary, beautiful language to describe the most grotesque stuff.
“We walk along a trail of deep, glossy puddles, bright green water during the day, and deep, forest-green water at night. Cornpup doesn’t step in these puddles because to him they’re dangerous chemical landmines. I don’t step in the puddles because I have to keep my shoes looking clean and new for as long as possible; Mom won’t take me shopping till my toes pop out, and even then it’s a battle. Charlie, though, he steps in the puddles. He tries to splash us.”
-- The characters stuck with me. They are so flawed and alive. The friendship between them is really strong. Jason’s voice was haunting in its realness.
-- Toxic tours through the industrial yards and a Freak Museum full of weird stuff found at the polluted creek. The chemical descriptions made me feel like I was really there (and afraid to breathe): "Hidden within the industrial zone are secret places only me and my friends know about: a trail of green puddles that never dry up; a rusty railcar full of weird, smelly rocks; and a perfect square of earth where you can dig for hours without seeing a single insect, not even a worm. My favorite thing to look at is the cluster of trees that turned black and died for no reason. When I draw sludge demons in my sketchbook, I usually put those trees in the background.”
-- This book is hate letter to the chemical industry for sure. But there’s a twist: the boys aren’t so sure they want the pollution cleaned up. It’s become a part of their home, their recreation, their identity. As I watched them expose themselves to who knows what, I cringed for them, and it made for a unique and emotional reading experience.
OVERALL : I strongly recommend this book, especially to guys. It’s raw, gritty, and full of shocking images and intensity. Also, I hunted down the book’s website www.mychemicalmountain.com, and there’s a page called Your Chemical Mountain where you can read articles about toxic towns I never even knew existed.
WHAT I LOVED:
-- The author uses literary, beautiful language to describe the most grotesque stuff.
“We walk along a trail of deep, glossy puddles, bright green water during the day, and deep, forest-green water at night. Cornpup doesn’t step in these puddles because to him they’re dangerous chemical landmines. I don’t step in the puddles because I have to keep my shoes looking clean and new for as long as possible; Mom won’t take me shopping till my toes pop out, and even then it’s a battle. Charlie, though, he steps in the puddles. He tries to splash us.”
-- The characters stuck with me. They are so flawed and alive. The friendship between them is really strong. Jason’s voice was haunting in its realness.
-- Toxic tours through the industrial yards and a Freak Museum full of weird stuff found at the polluted creek. The chemical descriptions made me feel like I was really there (and afraid to breathe): "Hidden within the industrial zone are secret places only me and my friends know about: a trail of green puddles that never dry up; a rusty railcar full of weird, smelly rocks; and a perfect square of earth where you can dig for hours without seeing a single insect, not even a worm. My favorite thing to look at is the cluster of trees that turned black and died for no reason. When I draw sludge demons in my sketchbook, I usually put those trees in the background.”
-- This book is hate letter to the chemical industry for sure. But there’s a twist: the boys aren’t so sure they want the pollution cleaned up. It’s become a part of their home, their recreation, their identity. As I watched them expose themselves to who knows what, I cringed for them, and it made for a unique and emotional reading experience.
OVERALL : I strongly recommend this book, especially to guys. It’s raw, gritty, and full of shocking images and intensity. Also, I hunted down the book’s website www.mychemicalmountain.com, and there’s a page called Your Chemical Mountain where you can read articles about toxic towns I never even knew existed.
February 7, 2013
"We live by the best landfill ever. I flipped my dirt bike there once. Plus I've got a sketchbook full of uranium monsters. My friend Cornpup likes to show off the bumps on his back for a dollar. And Charlie, he'll drink red creek water on a dare." Shocking book, very intense. The characters explode off the page.
January 14, 2013
Three boys come of age in a town that has been destroyed by the local chemical company where everyone works. Tragic events happen that convince the boys that they need to fight back and save their town from the devastating effects (not only natural but family life) of the chemical company.
July 6, 2013
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I received no compensation
My Chemical Mountain is a novel that is really hard to accurately describe without focusing on one aspect more than the others. In fact I was asked twice in one day what the book was about and I had think on it. The simple answer: It’s about three boys who grow up in a factory and mill town where a chemical factory is slowly destroying their environment and their lives. The more difficult aspect to capture is the fact that these three boys are so vastly different in how they see their home, how they love it in a different way and how the chemicals have changed their lives.
Jason, our main character, has lost his father to a Mareno Chem accident and he’s seething. He wants revenge and he wants to prove that the company is up to no good. He’s a good kid who has been hurt and he carries a lot of anger in him over the loss of his father, how the town holds the accident against his family, and how his mother has essentially checked out. However he finds a way to channel it with his drawings, where he uses his toxic environment to create monsters and stories. Charlie and Cornpup are his best friends, and they are complete and total opposites. Charlie is a daredevil with a broken home, who boasts over his bravery and finds himself accepted by most people their age but he always remains loyal to his two friends. I had problems with Charlie and I didn’t like the amount of influence he had over Jason. There are a lot of instances where Charlie (and Jason’s following) puts them in danger, and they never seem to see it as a bad thing. Cornpup is the voice of reason of in the group. He’s super cautious about their environment and he tries to get the others to see it as well but they kind of tune him out. He knows how horrible it is to swim in contaminated water or go outside when the air is thick with chemicals, but Charlie and Jason just don’t care. I had a lot of trouble understanding the motivation for continuing activities, like swimming the creek, when it’s clear it’s not healthy (i.e. – rashes appear directly after). The age level is around 15-16, so it’s not quite at that Young Adult level but it’s definitely out of the Middle Grade range.
The town that Vacco creates is a gritty blue collar place called Poxton. It has a ring of abandoned factories and mills, with only a few still running. It also has numerous landfills, one of which is mountainous and extremely toxic. The river is polluted and the soil around it is unclean, even the air is dangerous. The language used to describe everything is very detailed and would be beautiful if the subjects where not toxic and poisoned. I struggled to enjoy the descriptions because at times it just grossed me out. The inspiration behind the book was the fact that there are a disturbing amount of landfills located near schools, and I think the book definitely calls attention to it but it also amplifies it.
My Chemical Mountain is gritty, dark, and showcases some of the reality about landfills and factories. It’s an incredibly short novel and paired with the fact that it’s really well written it serves as a really quick read.
My Chemical Mountain is a novel that is really hard to accurately describe without focusing on one aspect more than the others. In fact I was asked twice in one day what the book was about and I had think on it. The simple answer: It’s about three boys who grow up in a factory and mill town where a chemical factory is slowly destroying their environment and their lives. The more difficult aspect to capture is the fact that these three boys are so vastly different in how they see their home, how they love it in a different way and how the chemicals have changed their lives.
Jason, our main character, has lost his father to a Mareno Chem accident and he’s seething. He wants revenge and he wants to prove that the company is up to no good. He’s a good kid who has been hurt and he carries a lot of anger in him over the loss of his father, how the town holds the accident against his family, and how his mother has essentially checked out. However he finds a way to channel it with his drawings, where he uses his toxic environment to create monsters and stories. Charlie and Cornpup are his best friends, and they are complete and total opposites. Charlie is a daredevil with a broken home, who boasts over his bravery and finds himself accepted by most people their age but he always remains loyal to his two friends. I had problems with Charlie and I didn’t like the amount of influence he had over Jason. There are a lot of instances where Charlie (and Jason’s following) puts them in danger, and they never seem to see it as a bad thing. Cornpup is the voice of reason of in the group. He’s super cautious about their environment and he tries to get the others to see it as well but they kind of tune him out. He knows how horrible it is to swim in contaminated water or go outside when the air is thick with chemicals, but Charlie and Jason just don’t care. I had a lot of trouble understanding the motivation for continuing activities, like swimming the creek, when it’s clear it’s not healthy (i.e. – rashes appear directly after). The age level is around 15-16, so it’s not quite at that Young Adult level but it’s definitely out of the Middle Grade range.
The town that Vacco creates is a gritty blue collar place called Poxton. It has a ring of abandoned factories and mills, with only a few still running. It also has numerous landfills, one of which is mountainous and extremely toxic. The river is polluted and the soil around it is unclean, even the air is dangerous. The language used to describe everything is very detailed and would be beautiful if the subjects where not toxic and poisoned. I struggled to enjoy the descriptions because at times it just grossed me out. The inspiration behind the book was the fact that there are a disturbing amount of landfills located near schools, and I think the book definitely calls attention to it but it also amplifies it.
My Chemical Mountain is gritty, dark, and showcases some of the reality about landfills and factories. It’s an incredibly short novel and paired with the fact that it’s really well written it serves as a really quick read.
November 19, 2014
One of my readers created this image, and I had to share! It was inspired by Jason's Freak Museum, and I thought the artist really captured the grotesque beauty of MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN.
I wrote a portion of this book at the foot of toxic landfill in Western New York. I was scared to be there, but I found my voice in the darkness and breathed life into the industrial yards. I hope Jason's story inspires you to find your voice and to fight for the things you love, even when you're afraid, even when it feels like all hope is lost. Our voices can change the world...
And one of my readers also made this awesome book trailer. Hope you love it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie-qz...
I wrote a portion of this book at the foot of toxic landfill in Western New York. I was scared to be there, but I found my voice in the darkness and breathed life into the industrial yards. I hope Jason's story inspires you to find your voice and to fight for the things you love, even when you're afraid, even when it feels like all hope is lost. Our voices can change the world...
And one of my readers also made this awesome book trailer. Hope you love it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie-qz...
March 23, 2013
This book is really different, in a good way. The world is so vivid and the characters are brilliantly distinct and unusual. Highly recommended!
June 15, 2013
I can't stop talking about this book. Ever since I read it, it's come up in conversation a dozen times. The content and themes are very relevant to our current environmental circumstances. It's an extreme version of what can happen if we stay as shortsighted as we are.
However, as gripping as the story itself is, what moved me most about this book were its characters. The boys in this story were incredibly real to me. I grew up with brothers, and reading this was like looking into my own childhood (except without the giant landfill and polluted river). And the choices the characters made given what they were dealing with seemed at once familiar and fascinating. I had a particular moment of 'Whoa--this story is so freaking profound--' when I realized that the boys both loved and hated the landfill--that they thought of it as a heap of stinking, deadly garbage but as THEIR heap of stinking, deadly garbage.
It's a fast read but with lasting impact. I highly, highly recommend it, especially to schools and book clubs.
However, as gripping as the story itself is, what moved me most about this book were its characters. The boys in this story were incredibly real to me. I grew up with brothers, and reading this was like looking into my own childhood (except without the giant landfill and polluted river). And the choices the characters made given what they were dealing with seemed at once familiar and fascinating. I had a particular moment of 'Whoa--this story is so freaking profound--' when I realized that the boys both loved and hated the landfill--that they thought of it as a heap of stinking, deadly garbage but as THEIR heap of stinking, deadly garbage.
It's a fast read but with lasting impact. I highly, highly recommend it, especially to schools and book clubs.
March 13, 2013
This is a powerful dystopia with a strong theme of friendship and loyalty. This book won the Delacorte Prize and it's no wonder. Corina Vacco has an amazing capacity to build a world that is too frighteningly like our own and to show us the human side of our destruction of the environment.
June 14, 2018
I would explain our world to him, but he would never understand. We cross a landfill on our way to school. We swim in creek water that smells like nail polish remover. Charlie can convert a third and twenty-six situation into a touchdown. I can create a world of uranium monsters and blind creek serpents on a sheet of blank paper. Cornpup can transform a pile of broken metal parts into a four-foot-tall robot. We are not fools. We are brave and brilliant.
My Chemical Mountain is a gorgeously written coming of age novel of three boys who find beauty and magic, as well as disease and death, in the polluted landfills and surrounding land and creeks. They live in a small town in New York, a chemical factory town, whose residents are financially tied in a stranglehold by Mareno Chem, the company that blatantly dumps toxic chemicals into its own backyard with seeming impunity.
I enjoyed the book as a coming of age novel, and appreciated the friendship of the three boys in the summer before they start high school. However, I felt at times the author was a little too heavy handed in her depictions of the environmental destruction and the mutated animals that lived in the area. I almost put the book down near the middle, fed up with the heavy handedness. But, I pressed on, and was glad I did, particularly when the boys put together a Freak Show fundraiser and tour a large group of younger kids through the landfills and toxic dumps. The imaginative stories that James recounts to the kids to explain the pollution helped put some of this in perspective.
Then again, so did the skin on Cornpup's back.
Overall, a really good book, and a satisfying ending. Very well done. And for a first novel by the author, even more so!
My Chemical Mountain is a gorgeously written coming of age novel of three boys who find beauty and magic, as well as disease and death, in the polluted landfills and surrounding land and creeks. They live in a small town in New York, a chemical factory town, whose residents are financially tied in a stranglehold by Mareno Chem, the company that blatantly dumps toxic chemicals into its own backyard with seeming impunity.
I enjoyed the book as a coming of age novel, and appreciated the friendship of the three boys in the summer before they start high school. However, I felt at times the author was a little too heavy handed in her depictions of the environmental destruction and the mutated animals that lived in the area. I almost put the book down near the middle, fed up with the heavy handedness. But, I pressed on, and was glad I did, particularly when the boys put together a Freak Show fundraiser and tour a large group of younger kids through the landfills and toxic dumps. The imaginative stories that James recounts to the kids to explain the pollution helped put some of this in perspective.
Then again, so did the skin on Cornpup's back.
Overall, a really good book, and a satisfying ending. Very well done. And for a first novel by the author, even more so!
March 2, 2016
Title: My Chemical Mountain
Author: Corina Vacco
Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Length: 192 pages
Original Publishing Date: June 11th, 2013
Series: Standalone
Where I got it: ARC from ARCycling
Main characters: 3.5/5
I want to take a moment for a mini side-note before I start in on Jason and comment on what I will call the "Middle of the Road MC". Have you ever noticed that a lot of main characters tend to fall in between the two extremes of their best friends? In the case of My Chemical Mountain, Jason falls between the extremes of his two best friends, the cautious Cornpup and the fearless Charlie. I think that this is, in part, in order to make the main character the most easy to relate to for the reader. And I did relate with Jason on a lot of parts. Even though I am an older female reader who hasn't gone through the same experiences, Vacco was able to create a character that I understood and the parts that I didn't understand, she explained to me. Mostly, I was fascinated by Jason's understanding of the landfill. Sometimes it seemed impossible that the boys are so interesting in the industrial wasteland that they literally swim in toxic water and drink it (!!) but Vacco's explanation of their obsession with it is completely unique.
Secondary characters: 3/5
Slightly more entrenched in tropes are Jason's two best friends Charlie and Cornpup. Each fits into the mold of the cautious vs. the fearless and Jason oscillates between the two. I love how the three of them truly compliment each other and I could see some of the depth within Charlie and Cornpup. I was oddly impressed with Jason's mother too. Her reaction to Jason's father's death through overeating was heartbreakingly realistic in the way that people can respond to death and tragedy. There were a couple other minor characters that were slightly less developed that I would have liked more from.
Writing style: 4.5/5
This book read fast. The pacing was surprising given that it wasn't an action novel per se. It helps that the book itself is pretty short, but Vacco moved the writing along well. The dialogue was realistic and Vacco had an oddly beautiful way of describing the waste and industrial dumps. However, these descriptions don't weigh down the pacing but instead allow the reader to get a grotesque image of the industrial wasteland in their head and follow Jason and his friends through their playground.
Plot: 3.5/5
This book was so different from anything I've read! I was nervous that it would come across with a strong message telling the reader what they should believe. What was so unique about My Chemical Mountain was its point-of-view through Jason, whose identity was formed through his time spent exploring this polluted wasteland. Jason has a connection with this environment and it's so interesting to read an issue from this young boy's point of view. The plot itself ran a little thin at times and was mainly kept moving by the boy's excursions through the wastelands, but it gained some structure later in the novel and I felt the book line back up on track. I just want to give a shout out to the setting in Western New York and all of the references to Buffalo sports- I was thrilled to see mentions of my Bills and Sabres. I noticed a lot of people viewing this as a futuristic or dystopian, and I just wanted to point out that I mentioned the book to my dad (who is from Buffalo) and he brought up the neighborhood of Love Canal in Niagara Falls, New York. The descriptions may seem impossible for some of us, but this stuff actually happened.
Ending: 3/5
The ending was explosive but it almost seemed a little rushed. The writing was beautiful, as Vacco had already proved earlier, but that last chapter left a few things unfinished and I wanted to know what happened next. I think the final note was sweet and perfect however; it summed up the whole novel.
Best scene: The first time the boys visit the landfill- the descriptions are wonderful
Positives: Beautifully gruesome writing style, pacing, strong characterization, the unique point of view of the landfill
Negatives: Slightly more underdeveloped secondary characters, a little thin on the plot material, rushed ending
Cover: The cover looks like a post-apocalyptic story, so that was a little misleading, however it definitely catches your attention and it's beautiful in its own way.
Verdict: A unique look at pollution and strong characters and writing take this novel beyond being an "environmentalism" story.
Rating: 7.0/10 (4 stars)
Your Thoughts: Have you read it? What did you think? If you haven't, will you be adding it to your TBR list? Let me know!
Author: Corina Vacco
Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Length: 192 pages
Original Publishing Date: June 11th, 2013
Series: Standalone
Where I got it: ARC from ARCycling
Main characters: 3.5/5
I want to take a moment for a mini side-note before I start in on Jason and comment on what I will call the "Middle of the Road MC". Have you ever noticed that a lot of main characters tend to fall in between the two extremes of their best friends? In the case of My Chemical Mountain, Jason falls between the extremes of his two best friends, the cautious Cornpup and the fearless Charlie. I think that this is, in part, in order to make the main character the most easy to relate to for the reader. And I did relate with Jason on a lot of parts. Even though I am an older female reader who hasn't gone through the same experiences, Vacco was able to create a character that I understood and the parts that I didn't understand, she explained to me. Mostly, I was fascinated by Jason's understanding of the landfill. Sometimes it seemed impossible that the boys are so interesting in the industrial wasteland that they literally swim in toxic water and drink it (!!) but Vacco's explanation of their obsession with it is completely unique.
Secondary characters: 3/5
Slightly more entrenched in tropes are Jason's two best friends Charlie and Cornpup. Each fits into the mold of the cautious vs. the fearless and Jason oscillates between the two. I love how the three of them truly compliment each other and I could see some of the depth within Charlie and Cornpup. I was oddly impressed with Jason's mother too. Her reaction to Jason's father's death through overeating was heartbreakingly realistic in the way that people can respond to death and tragedy. There were a couple other minor characters that were slightly less developed that I would have liked more from.
Writing style: 4.5/5
This book read fast. The pacing was surprising given that it wasn't an action novel per se. It helps that the book itself is pretty short, but Vacco moved the writing along well. The dialogue was realistic and Vacco had an oddly beautiful way of describing the waste and industrial dumps. However, these descriptions don't weigh down the pacing but instead allow the reader to get a grotesque image of the industrial wasteland in their head and follow Jason and his friends through their playground.
Plot: 3.5/5
This book was so different from anything I've read! I was nervous that it would come across with a strong message telling the reader what they should believe. What was so unique about My Chemical Mountain was its point-of-view through Jason, whose identity was formed through his time spent exploring this polluted wasteland. Jason has a connection with this environment and it's so interesting to read an issue from this young boy's point of view. The plot itself ran a little thin at times and was mainly kept moving by the boy's excursions through the wastelands, but it gained some structure later in the novel and I felt the book line back up on track. I just want to give a shout out to the setting in Western New York and all of the references to Buffalo sports- I was thrilled to see mentions of my Bills and Sabres. I noticed a lot of people viewing this as a futuristic or dystopian, and I just wanted to point out that I mentioned the book to my dad (who is from Buffalo) and he brought up the neighborhood of Love Canal in Niagara Falls, New York. The descriptions may seem impossible for some of us, but this stuff actually happened.
Ending: 3/5
The ending was explosive but it almost seemed a little rushed. The writing was beautiful, as Vacco had already proved earlier, but that last chapter left a few things unfinished and I wanted to know what happened next. I think the final note was sweet and perfect however; it summed up the whole novel.
Best scene: The first time the boys visit the landfill- the descriptions are wonderful
Positives: Beautifully gruesome writing style, pacing, strong characterization, the unique point of view of the landfill
Negatives: Slightly more underdeveloped secondary characters, a little thin on the plot material, rushed ending
Cover: The cover looks like a post-apocalyptic story, so that was a little misleading, however it definitely catches your attention and it's beautiful in its own way.
Verdict: A unique look at pollution and strong characters and writing take this novel beyond being an "environmentalism" story.
Rating: 7.0/10 (4 stars)
Your Thoughts: Have you read it? What did you think? If you haven't, will you be adding it to your TBR list? Let me know!
September 14, 2013
Frustration is afoot in this nation, and all over the world, as people and planet are facing the results of greed. This first novel from a young Green author has been a prize winner and the journalistic reviews are impressive.
Corina Vacco weaves in environmental and social issues in the sort of novel that reaches beyond it's YA age group to all adult readers, as it subtly takes hold of our interest and broadens our perspectives. The plot focuses on the viewpoint of the protagonist, Jason, a teenage artist. Jason, along with his two best friends from childhood share a love of their roots and their turf that is mingled with the uneasy revelations that all is not well in their hometown. The story takes place during that transitional summer just before the Freshman year of high school. It gives insight into how a bad corporation can get away with literal murder as it holds a dependent town in its grasp. People suspect that they're being poisoned, but where do they go? To WHOM do they go?
Many residents of this town work at this chemical plant, the towns general economy is based around it and housing values have plummeted as a result of this rogue chemical company's secretive toxic dumping practices. Having grown up living in this blue collar town adjacent to their "playground" landfill, each of the three boys chooses a different path of resistance and a way to cope. Jason, the artist, channels his anger about his father's "accidental" death through his drawings of toxic monsters and a creation of their landfill mythology. William, known more often by his nickname, Cornpup, is a tech genius who deals with his ill health by trying to reason logically with authorities. Coming from a tumultuous home life , Charlie, the thrill seeking Golden Boy takes a path of vigilante justice which comes with a price.
It's not just an interesting read, it has many points to consider the discovery of which I'll leave to you, the reader.
Throughout the book all of the well developed characters exhibit numerous and recognizable foibles as power players over shadow the kinder more gentle folk, but it steers clear of the usual cliches. As you read, and in reflections after, the novel reminds us that our world is a finite place with only so much fresh water and such a fragile balance in climate. We're reminded that we all must play our part in defending it. "The truth will set you free" (Jesus of Nazareth) is probably THE MOST valuable quotation ever and it's been used in many circumstances. As we carry on in this world, the best leaders, artists and authors give us that truth along with insight and hope. The part that we can play, after reading this particular novel, is to share it and it's truths with others.
Corina Vacco weaves in environmental and social issues in the sort of novel that reaches beyond it's YA age group to all adult readers, as it subtly takes hold of our interest and broadens our perspectives. The plot focuses on the viewpoint of the protagonist, Jason, a teenage artist. Jason, along with his two best friends from childhood share a love of their roots and their turf that is mingled with the uneasy revelations that all is not well in their hometown. The story takes place during that transitional summer just before the Freshman year of high school. It gives insight into how a bad corporation can get away with literal murder as it holds a dependent town in its grasp. People suspect that they're being poisoned, but where do they go? To WHOM do they go?
Many residents of this town work at this chemical plant, the towns general economy is based around it and housing values have plummeted as a result of this rogue chemical company's secretive toxic dumping practices. Having grown up living in this blue collar town adjacent to their "playground" landfill, each of the three boys chooses a different path of resistance and a way to cope. Jason, the artist, channels his anger about his father's "accidental" death through his drawings of toxic monsters and a creation of their landfill mythology. William, known more often by his nickname, Cornpup, is a tech genius who deals with his ill health by trying to reason logically with authorities. Coming from a tumultuous home life , Charlie, the thrill seeking Golden Boy takes a path of vigilante justice which comes with a price.
It's not just an interesting read, it has many points to consider the discovery of which I'll leave to you, the reader.
Throughout the book all of the well developed characters exhibit numerous and recognizable foibles as power players over shadow the kinder more gentle folk, but it steers clear of the usual cliches. As you read, and in reflections after, the novel reminds us that our world is a finite place with only so much fresh water and such a fragile balance in climate. We're reminded that we all must play our part in defending it. "The truth will set you free" (Jesus of Nazareth) is probably THE MOST valuable quotation ever and it's been used in many circumstances. As we carry on in this world, the best leaders, artists and authors give us that truth along with insight and hope. The part that we can play, after reading this particular novel, is to share it and it's truths with others.
February 5, 2013
What's the What: Jason and his friends Charlie and Cornpup live in what most of us would consider a horrifying nightmare. With their houses situated next to giant industrial complexes, their world is rife with chemical sludge choking their creek, cavernous abandoned factories and immense mountains of waste. And while they rail against the BIG BAD CHEMICAL COMPANY that Jason feels is responsible for his father's death, he and his friends share a fierce connection with the toxic environment that has been part of their day-to-day existence for so long.
Opening Sentence: THE WIND CARRIES SULFUR AND HARD RAIN.
The Good: Each boy is not without his admirable characteristics. Jason uses this hell to fuel his creativity, conjuring fantastic monsters and stories that are the culprits of its very creation. Charlie, in his own covert and peculiar way, is extraordinarily generous. Cornpup is the voice of reason in this story. It's his staunch grasp on the reality of the situation, the true monsters responsible for it, and his plan to bring them down that shine a little bit of light into this pitch black story.
The Not So Good: Not having been exposed to this type of environment, I'm not certain I can buy the boys', especially Charlie's, cavalier attitude toward the deadlier trappings of their world. There's a fine line between bravery and stupidity, and that line in this story is not only crossed but obliterated off the face of the Earth. Case in point: "Me and Charlie walk to the shores of Two Mile, because we need to get our clothes muddy. We need to cut our hands open on sharp rocks. Maybe Charlie will even swallow a mouthful of creek water, because it's a shocking thing to do, and because he knows I've more cough drops in my pocket. I know how good it feels, gulping that sharp water, making your throat burn on purpose, never giving in to the tug of fear."
Swoon Factor: Not a whisper of a swoon.
The Verdict: While there is a lyrical beauty to the way Vacco brings life to her wasteland, I still can't wrap my head around something like this being accepted, ignored and even embraced (by some). It's logical that people need their jobs, and the BIG BAD CHEMICAL COMPANY is their means of fiscal survival, but their CHILDREN are in danger for heaven's sake! Their conspiracy of silence before the events in this novel is simply unforgivable.
(Review based on advance reader copy. Expected publication of My Chemical Mountain is June 11, 2013)
Opening Sentence: THE WIND CARRIES SULFUR AND HARD RAIN.
The Good: Each boy is not without his admirable characteristics. Jason uses this hell to fuel his creativity, conjuring fantastic monsters and stories that are the culprits of its very creation. Charlie, in his own covert and peculiar way, is extraordinarily generous. Cornpup is the voice of reason in this story. It's his staunch grasp on the reality of the situation, the true monsters responsible for it, and his plan to bring them down that shine a little bit of light into this pitch black story.
The Not So Good: Not having been exposed to this type of environment, I'm not certain I can buy the boys', especially Charlie's, cavalier attitude toward the deadlier trappings of their world. There's a fine line between bravery and stupidity, and that line in this story is not only crossed but obliterated off the face of the Earth. Case in point: "Me and Charlie walk to the shores of Two Mile, because we need to get our clothes muddy. We need to cut our hands open on sharp rocks. Maybe Charlie will even swallow a mouthful of creek water, because it's a shocking thing to do, and because he knows I've more cough drops in my pocket. I know how good it feels, gulping that sharp water, making your throat burn on purpose, never giving in to the tug of fear."
Swoon Factor: Not a whisper of a swoon.
The Verdict: While there is a lyrical beauty to the way Vacco brings life to her wasteland, I still can't wrap my head around something like this being accepted, ignored and even embraced (by some). It's logical that people need their jobs, and the BIG BAD CHEMICAL COMPANY is their means of fiscal survival, but their CHILDREN are in danger for heaven's sake! Their conspiracy of silence before the events in this novel is simply unforgivable.
(Review based on advance reader copy. Expected publication of My Chemical Mountain is June 11, 2013)
March 5, 2013
The writing will blow you away. I was sent a galley for review, dismissed it as a post-apocalyptic story, and I almost didn’t read it…but then I took a peek at the first page, and I ended up reading it straight through in one night. It’s a lyrically written, contemporary novel, full of gorgeous prose describing the most toxic of surroundings, and I was just hooked.
The subject matter is timely AND approached in a fresh way. Vacco turns the world on its head and writes about a polluted town in a way that goes beyond what you’ve ever seen before. She weaves in art and activism, danger and joy, the toxic and the beautiful. The story is personal, shocking, thought-provoking, and thrilling—it’s truly an environmental game-changer. In my opinion, it’s the most important book to be published in 2013.
I was on a discussion board with other bloggers and we were talking about this book, and we all said the same thing. We had all finished the book days, even weeks, before, and yet we were all still thinking about these characters. It’s a rare book that can introduce characters who feel so real you weep for them when the story is over because you aren’t ready to say goodbye.
Lastly, and this is a personal reason, I grew up in a town like the one in this book. I still remember the way the air smelled, and how no one cared about us, and how everyone acted like the pollution was normal because we couldn’t all afford to move elsewhere. I felt really alone in the world. I didn’t realize there were other kids out there in similar situations. I didn’t realize it was, in a word, common. On the author’s website, there are articles about real polluted towns all across the United States. This is something kids are dealing with, and it’s something that deserves our attention. The very best books are the ones that can move a reader’s soul, and this book has definitely done that. It’s a story of friendship and hope and ugly things you might not want to see. And it is truly The Outsiders of our generation.
The subject matter is timely AND approached in a fresh way. Vacco turns the world on its head and writes about a polluted town in a way that goes beyond what you’ve ever seen before. She weaves in art and activism, danger and joy, the toxic and the beautiful. The story is personal, shocking, thought-provoking, and thrilling—it’s truly an environmental game-changer. In my opinion, it’s the most important book to be published in 2013.
I was on a discussion board with other bloggers and we were talking about this book, and we all said the same thing. We had all finished the book days, even weeks, before, and yet we were all still thinking about these characters. It’s a rare book that can introduce characters who feel so real you weep for them when the story is over because you aren’t ready to say goodbye.
Lastly, and this is a personal reason, I grew up in a town like the one in this book. I still remember the way the air smelled, and how no one cared about us, and how everyone acted like the pollution was normal because we couldn’t all afford to move elsewhere. I felt really alone in the world. I didn’t realize there were other kids out there in similar situations. I didn’t realize it was, in a word, common. On the author’s website, there are articles about real polluted towns all across the United States. This is something kids are dealing with, and it’s something that deserves our attention. The very best books are the ones that can move a reader’s soul, and this book has definitely done that. It’s a story of friendship and hope and ugly things you might not want to see. And it is truly The Outsiders of our generation.
July 27, 2013
A quick book under 200 pages that might fly higher with middle school readers than with high schoolers has a cast of three rising freshman boys living on the outskirts of industrial Buffalo in what seems to be a near future sort of dystopia. What these characters experience—a chemical company and other polluters knowingly and willfully destroying and poisoning Poxton’s blue-collar creeks and neighborhoods--is an object lesson and cautionary tale about what can happen to our environment if corporate interests are not balanced with environmental concerns.
I certainly hope there is no real place in America where the creek’s color and smell offer an ever-changing menu of pollutants, but even that doesn’t stop Jason and Charlie from swimming in it every summer. The miles of trash and detritus, barrels of waste, abandoned factories, barbed wire, and even a mountain of landfill are the playground for the trio that also includes Cornpup, enraged at the carelessness and negligence of giants like Mareno Chemical, for whom Jason’s dad worked until a horrible fatal accident—that might not have been. Cornpup’s back is covered in cysts, and his asthma and other health problems make it hard for him to keep up with Jason and the athletic, charismatic Charlie, who knows no fear, not even of his drunken violent dad.
The boys are poised to become young men: chasing girls and thrills but in the case of Jason and Cornpup filled with hatred for Mareno Chemical and all it represents. But the company has the town by the stranglehold of much needed jobs, and Charlie loves the town and their lives for all its dangers and wildlife freak-shows. Are they willing to take a stand as Davids to this Goliath? Should they?
I certainly hope there is no real place in America where the creek’s color and smell offer an ever-changing menu of pollutants, but even that doesn’t stop Jason and Charlie from swimming in it every summer. The miles of trash and detritus, barrels of waste, abandoned factories, barbed wire, and even a mountain of landfill are the playground for the trio that also includes Cornpup, enraged at the carelessness and negligence of giants like Mareno Chemical, for whom Jason’s dad worked until a horrible fatal accident—that might not have been. Cornpup’s back is covered in cysts, and his asthma and other health problems make it hard for him to keep up with Jason and the athletic, charismatic Charlie, who knows no fear, not even of his drunken violent dad.
The boys are poised to become young men: chasing girls and thrills but in the case of Jason and Cornpup filled with hatred for Mareno Chemical and all it represents. But the company has the town by the stranglehold of much needed jobs, and Charlie loves the town and their lives for all its dangers and wildlife freak-shows. Are they willing to take a stand as Davids to this Goliath? Should they?
August 27, 2013
Three boys live in a blue collar town at the base of a toxic landfill, by a creek contaminated with unknown hazardous waste from a large chemical company. One boys back is covered in cysts and he has a nasty rash that comes and goes. One of the other boys has a freak museum with neon green leeches, fish covered in tumors and wingless birds that he collects from the creek bank. One boy lost his father to an accident at the Chemical Plant that no one truly believes was an accident. These boys want revenge and they have a plan. But something goes terribly wrong.
I really liked this book. I thought at first it might be a post-apocalyptic novel and was frankly disturbed, but not surprised, to find that it's contemporary. I would like to think that these toxic cities were a thing of the past, but deep down I know better.
I felt that the information at the author's website deepened my appreciation of the book tremendously. One scene I didn't quite buy when I read the book was the boy's tennis shoe melting in a neon green puddle. But when I read that a 17 year old boy stood up at a community meeting in a small town outside of Buffalo, NY to share his story - his story of a melting tennis shoe in a green puddle - I had to totally rethink my reaction to that scene. I give the author a lot of credit for her courage - sitting at the base of a known toxic landfill to write chapters. This is a story that needs to be told.
I really liked this book. I thought at first it might be a post-apocalyptic novel and was frankly disturbed, but not surprised, to find that it's contemporary. I would like to think that these toxic cities were a thing of the past, but deep down I know better.
I felt that the information at the author's website deepened my appreciation of the book tremendously. One scene I didn't quite buy when I read the book was the boy's tennis shoe melting in a neon green puddle. But when I read that a 17 year old boy stood up at a community meeting in a small town outside of Buffalo, NY to share his story - his story of a melting tennis shoe in a green puddle - I had to totally rethink my reaction to that scene. I give the author a lot of credit for her courage - sitting at the base of a known toxic landfill to write chapters. This is a story that needs to be told.
October 7, 2013
Corina captures the voice of adolescent boys like no author I've read. Written in the first person, from Jason’s point-of-view, we live the crazy ideas, crazy acts and crazy thoughts of the three protagonists as they careen through their teens. The boys do what boys do, i.e. indulge in gross stuff, living life like they’re immortal. Why else would they swim in a creek that smells and is so polluted, it’s different colors at different times of the day.
Jason seethes in a kind of constant low-level anger. Charlie is the immortal athletic beyond all reason, a veritable hulk. Cornpup is sick, glorying in his contaminated body. The fourth character in the story is the environment, nasty from the first page.
The plot doesn’t build tension to a climax in the traditional mode of storytelling. It starts out tense and stays that way until the climax, a valid characterization of the boy’s lives. It’s a tale that’s comic, sad and tragic. Evil surrounds this community in the guise of corporate necessity and profit.
As a minor comment, I was somewhat disappointed that Jason’s girlfriend, Val, had no voice in the story. Regardless, this is a book for anyone interested in saving our planet.
Jason seethes in a kind of constant low-level anger. Charlie is the immortal athletic beyond all reason, a veritable hulk. Cornpup is sick, glorying in his contaminated body. The fourth character in the story is the environment, nasty from the first page.
The plot doesn’t build tension to a climax in the traditional mode of storytelling. It starts out tense and stays that way until the climax, a valid characterization of the boy’s lives. It’s a tale that’s comic, sad and tragic. Evil surrounds this community in the guise of corporate necessity and profit.
As a minor comment, I was somewhat disappointed that Jason’s girlfriend, Val, had no voice in the story. Regardless, this is a book for anyone interested in saving our planet.
June 28, 2013
This was a surprising book for many reasons. One, I know Corina personally and know her incredible, amazing, visceral writing, so I knew this book was going to be good. Yet I was still blown away by this heartbreaking story of how a threesome of young boys deal with the destruction of their town and, in come cases, families by a polluting chemical company. At first, the mother in me was unnerved at how the boys embrace their environment, chemical sludge and all. How they revel in the pollution as if it's a badge of honor. They swim in the polluted creek and race down the neighborhood landfill on dune buggies. But then I realized this story is not just another "green" story, it's ultimately about home and how you never can give up on it, no matter how bad things get. All the elements of a great book are here: vibrant characters, nail-biting story telling, and a rich, gritty, horrifying yet somehow beautiful setting that will make you squirm. But what was most unexpected was how this book delivered an important social message about pollution and class in a meaningful way that wasn't one bit preachy.
July 6, 2013
Three teen boys face off against their town's chemically polluting industry, all for different reasons. The story is much more than some kind of EPA tome; it is an archetypal portrait of how teen boys think and act, which is much more complicated than many of us given them credit for.
The chemical company is the life of the town. It holds by its power of employment the survival of families. And families are suffering when the company is challenged or disrupted. I kept rooting for Erin Brokovich to show up, as the residents are powerless.
I think the interior lives of these boys and their friendship with one another are the most interesting parts of the novel. They are smart, caring, and always think they are tougher than anything life cares to dish out to them.
A relatively quick, but enjoyable read. My favorite sentences, spoken by narrator Jason as he comments on how adults see them: "We are not fools. We are brave and brilliant." These kids are more than the sum of their parts, and you see them becoming successful adults, if they can keep themselves alive that long.
The chemical company is the life of the town. It holds by its power of employment the survival of families. And families are suffering when the company is challenged or disrupted. I kept rooting for Erin Brokovich to show up, as the residents are powerless.
I think the interior lives of these boys and their friendship with one another are the most interesting parts of the novel. They are smart, caring, and always think they are tougher than anything life cares to dish out to them.
A relatively quick, but enjoyable read. My favorite sentences, spoken by narrator Jason as he comments on how adults see them: "We are not fools. We are brave and brilliant." These kids are more than the sum of their parts, and you see them becoming successful adults, if they can keep themselves alive that long.
August 23, 2013
MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN is a thoroughly good book and the type of story that even reluctant readers will dive into. Jason, Charlie and Cornpup are three friends entering their freshman year in high school. The boys live in a small town decimated by industry in New York state. Not only are the pollution and illegal dumping from the factories taking their toll on the landscape and health of their town, but they're also taking their toll on the residents, physically and emotionally. The three friends have a love-hate relationship with their town, pride but also loathing. The adults are complacent with the status quo and are mainly focused on survival. Because of this, and perhaps in spite of it, Jason, Charlie, and Cornpup take matters into their own hands.
This book is an edgy, realistic depiction of the working poor in America. The dialogue, characters and emotions all resonated with me, and I grew to truly care what happened to these people. I found the book to be extremely relevant to our time. I highly recommend MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN and hope others will read it and think about what part they can have in social change.
This book is an edgy, realistic depiction of the working poor in America. The dialogue, characters and emotions all resonated with me, and I grew to truly care what happened to these people. I found the book to be extremely relevant to our time. I highly recommend MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN and hope others will read it and think about what part they can have in social change.
September 13, 2013
Jason doesn’t need anyone to understand why he and his friends still swim in the contaminated creek. His mom is the only person who’d care anyhow, and she’s too busy eating everything in sight. But if someone were to ever ask him, he’d say the industrial yards trigger an adrenaline rush that helps him forget how he’s been clashing with Charlie lately, how Cornpup’s health is getting worse, and how his own anger has been churning and grinding like a horrible machine.
The accident that killed his father wasn’t an accident at all. A local chemical company is responsible, and everyone knows this, even if they won’t admit it. Jason pours his grief into detailed sketches of pollution-inspired monsters. It’s not enough. He tries to rebel against his fear by taking risks and living on the edge. It’s not working.
Revenge is the only answer that makes any sense. But if he takes down the chemical company responsible for turning his world upside-down, lifelong friendships will be tested, maybe even severed. Can he live with that?
This was a gritty, emotional, and surprising book. Highly recommended!
The accident that killed his father wasn’t an accident at all. A local chemical company is responsible, and everyone knows this, even if they won’t admit it. Jason pours his grief into detailed sketches of pollution-inspired monsters. It’s not enough. He tries to rebel against his fear by taking risks and living on the edge. It’s not working.
Revenge is the only answer that makes any sense. But if he takes down the chemical company responsible for turning his world upside-down, lifelong friendships will be tested, maybe even severed. Can he live with that?
This was a gritty, emotional, and surprising book. Highly recommended!
July 22, 2013
MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN, a Delacorte Press Prize winner for a debut YA, by Corina Vacco is a good companion book for middle-grade Newbery winner M.C. HIGGINS by Virginia Hamilton. The primary three male characters in MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN are 13 or 14; the time frame is prior to their freshman year. Everything in the book is age-appropriate for middle-grade readers (ages 8-12), yet is compelling and deep enough for YA readers (ages 13-18).
Both novels also address environmental issues, such as toxic waste dumps. But never in a heavy-handed way. All of the characters in MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN are well-rounded and the boys are realistic in attitudes and actions.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, so let me just say that MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN would make an excellent book to use in the classroom.
Both novels also address environmental issues, such as toxic waste dumps. But never in a heavy-handed way. All of the characters in MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN are well-rounded and the boys are realistic in attitudes and actions.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, so let me just say that MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN would make an excellent book to use in the classroom.
April 10, 2014
My Chemical Mountain is a haunting story of a toxic town. Three best friends, on the verge of 9th grade, view this land as their playground. What I loved most about this book was the friendship between the three boys. Vacco does a beautiful job writing boys, each one uniquely drawn with layers and layers to their personalities. Secondly, is the environment. Vacco's wasteland is drawn at once horrible and at the same time, completely normal for the boys. It's a strong character and is both antagonist and friend throughout the novel.
This is a thoughtful story about a near future where corporate interests have overrun humanity. Plus, with no sex, no cursing, and relatively little violence, it's a book that would work well for middle grade readers as well as young adult readers. A great conversation starter for class reading groups, too.
(Disclaimer: I no longer give star ratings)
This is a thoughtful story about a near future where corporate interests have overrun humanity. Plus, with no sex, no cursing, and relatively little violence, it's a book that would work well for middle grade readers as well as young adult readers. A great conversation starter for class reading groups, too.
(Disclaimer: I no longer give star ratings)
October 21, 2013
I was looking for a short read--less than 200 pages--and this one didn't disappoint! The cover has an eerie photo of three guys facing a giant landfill, kinda depressing when you think about it. But Jason and his friends Charlie and Cornpup know how to have fun. Jason keeps a sketchbook of uranium monsters, Charlie will do anything crazy on a dare, and Cornpup is a geek inventor who charges people to see the weird bumps on his back. Aside from all the fun, Jason is on a mission of revenge against the chemical factory that's responsible for his father's death and still polluting their town. He and his friends don't always see eye to eye but they won't be defeated. You may or may not agree with their methods, but you've got to respect their loyalty to each other and their fighting for what's right. I could hardly put this one down.
July 29, 2016
My Chemical Mountain is a unique and interesting book--imagine a teen version of Erin Brockovich. The three best friends in this book are an odd, yet perfect match. Flashing back to when they were younger and talking about their current life as teenagers, it's great to see how their friendship has grown and continues to evolve. They all have an issue with their town being a toxic dump, but for different reasons, and in turn each has their own idea of how to get revenge against those who created the mess. Author Corina Vacco has a real talent for creating an incredible picture and making you feel or even perfectly smell or taste just from a brief sentence. A young adult read recommended for both male and female audiences.
For full review go to http://www.compassbookratings.com/rev...
For full review go to http://www.compassbookratings.com/rev...
June 15, 2013
What a grim, gritty, dark world this story is set in and it isn't even a post-apocalyptic or dystopian future. For some industrial towns, this is what life (albeit somewhat exaggerated) is like. Very scary!
I loved this story. The all boy main cast, the emphasis on friendship instead of romance, the coming-of-age psychology - brilliant! This has a more MG than YA feel to it and I think it would appeal more to younger readers, especially boys around the 10-13 age. Even so, I loved the pollution monsters and the antics of these pre-high schoolers. There was something so charming about Charlie's reckless confidence, endearing about Cornpup's righteousness and something just undeniably lovable about Jason's compassion.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and will be looking out for more by this author!
I loved this story. The all boy main cast, the emphasis on friendship instead of romance, the coming-of-age psychology - brilliant! This has a more MG than YA feel to it and I think it would appeal more to younger readers, especially boys around the 10-13 age. Even so, I loved the pollution monsters and the antics of these pre-high schoolers. There was something so charming about Charlie's reckless confidence, endearing about Cornpup's righteousness and something just undeniably lovable about Jason's compassion.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and will be looking out for more by this author!
June 15, 2013
Open to the first page of My Chemical Mountain and it's immediately apparent why author Corina Vacco won the Delacorte Prize for a first young adult novel: characters, dialogue and descriptions are brilliant–– sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking and always deeply real and deeply felt. Above all this book is so clearly a standout because of Vacco's incredible prose: her analogies are just amazing, the writing a passionate trip into another world. She uses the language of contamination, evil, and destruction in a way no one else has, and the effect is truly breathtaking. Vacco is a writer of rare talent and great power. I am privileged to read her work.
June 15, 2013
What a beautiful way to tell the story of a town with a dumping problem: from the perspective of a kid who loves it, pollution and all. Vacco beautifully describes the tortured land and wildlife in this town where a chemical company has its headquarters, dumping in the river and piling gunk high on Chemical Mountain. Her teens, too, are tortured, each in his own way, by the town, and the chemical plant. But for all this, My Chemical Mountain is a book with a positive and spirited voice, not one that looks and sees the town as a dump, but one that celebrates the freakish, creative, and different qualities of the town, even as the characters try to clean it up. A great, sweet read, appropriate for middle grade and teens that may be especially appealing to teen boys.
September 7, 2013
My Chemical Mountain is a book about three young boys who live in a town that is practically drowning in toxic waste. Jason, and his friends Charlie and Cornpup, break into abandoned mills for fun and to blow off steam, that is until Jason makes a costly mistake. When they realize their mistake they try to cover it up but they just get into more trouble. That is when they are discovered by the industrial plant workers.
My favorite character is definitely Cornpup. Cornpup is a geeky kid who likes to build things, like robots. To add to that he comes up with the most brilliant ideas that seem almost fool-proof. That is, until one of them does something wrong and messes the plan up. I really hope you like this book as much as I did.
My favorite character is definitely Cornpup. Cornpup is a geeky kid who likes to build things, like robots. To add to that he comes up with the most brilliant ideas that seem almost fool-proof. That is, until one of them does something wrong and messes the plan up. I really hope you like this book as much as I did.
November 25, 2013
This book had an interesting concept, but was not well executed. Although it was a short read, there were many parts that seemed drawn out or unneccessary. In addition there were a lot of small conflicts that took away from the bigger picture as well as many loose ends that went unanswered. The motivation behind the boys wanting to take down Mareno Chem was not made explicitly clear. It was clearly causing problems in the town, but why did it take until now to be a big deal?
However, this book would be a good read for a younger/middle-school aged kid looking for a good adventure story with some imanginative stories thrown in the mix. The book was clearly written for a younger audience, without much attention to a full, completely developed story. line.
However, this book would be a good read for a younger/middle-school aged kid looking for a good adventure story with some imanginative stories thrown in the mix. The book was clearly written for a younger audience, without much attention to a full, completely developed story. line.
July 8, 2013
Great read, especially for budding environmentalists. I'm not one, but My Chemical Mountain has so much more to offer than just a takedown of polluters. The characters are well-developed, especially for such a short book. Vacco's writing is lushly detailed, full of angry, subversive imagery that--while undeniably grotesque--still draws the reader into the rich world she has created. But what I found most interesting about the book is its examination of how the things we love can hurt us, and even when we define ourselves in reaction to that hurt, ultimately we deserve better. It's a book that makes you think and that's why I give it a HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
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