Back Talk

Alex Richards
Flux (2007)
ISBN 9780738710174
Reviewed by Tabytha Joy (age 15) for Reader Views (8/07)

“Back Talk” is about a girl named Gemma who finds a job working for a talk show. Gemma is only sixteen, the youngest of all the employees. She and her friends like to get together and talk about cute boys, or their current boyfriends.

There is a pair of twins working for the talk show. All the twins do is try to get Gemma into trouble. Well, one of Gemma’s favorite workmates ends up losing his job. The reason is because the twins said that the guy was sexually harassing them. Gemma doesn’t believe this is true. She sets out to find the truth and to get her workmate hired back. Now, all Gemma wants to do is prove that the twins are lying.

The talk show owners decide that they want their special guest to be a child prostitute. The only problem is, the thirteen-year-old girl they find is afraid of appearing on the show as she fears that her pimp is going to kill her. Gemma meets up with this girl a few times to try to convince her that they will protect her from her pimp. She even talks to the boss for the talk show about offering more to this girl. So, the talk show boss decides to offer this girl a scholarship to a great college and promises her a good education. But will this young prostitute risk it?

In my opinion, “Back Talk” was an okay book if you like to read about talk shows. I was not too fond of all the dirty language used throughout this book. Some cursing would have been fine. But there was a bit too much. My favorite part of this book was when Gemma kicked Nick between the legs. I like how the author wrote “Ouch. The consequences were gonna need an ice pack.” That part was really funny. I also enjoyed how the author chose to end the book. Not one question was left unanswered. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes a fast-paced book with a lot of excitement in it.

Visit Reader Views Kids

Comments

[Brian Mandabach]

I'm not interested in talk shows at all, so I guess I like the characters and the voice. The quote you gave was a good example of how Richards give commentary along with the action. And I wanted more swearing. JK ;-), but it didn't bother me--I thought it was realistic.

[Alex]

Hey! I just found this review on Amazon, and wanted to say thanks for reading Back Talk. Sorry about all the swearing, lol. I guess there is a lot! I'm so pleased that overall you enjoyed the book, and really appreciate you taking the time to review it.
Great website/blog, btw!!!