Editorial Content for Play Me Backwards
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Reviewer (text)
PLAY ME BACKWARDS by Adam Selzer is a rather quirky book. Leon Harris is senior in high school and extremely lazy. Once in the gifted pool, Leon was known as one of the smart kids, along with a handful of his friends. But everything changed when his middle school girlfriend, Anna, moved away. Leon got a dead end job at the Ice Cave, acquired many detentions at school and was no longer at the top of his class. When he hears that Anna might be moving back to Iowa, Leon realizes he needs to get his act together and enlists the help of his friend Satan --- I mean Stan. Stan gives Leon numerous tasks to complete in order to get his life together and the ending result is interesting. Whether Stan is really the devil as he often proclaims, the reader never truly finds out. I, for one, believe Stan possesses some type of power because he has quite the intuition.
This book is like no other and I think readers will genuinely appreciate its hilarious and sanguine moments.
The novel was rather interesting but slow at times. I enjoyed reading about the adventurous search for the Great White Grape Slushee, taking in the wise (yet weird) words of Stan and getting a glimpse into the mind of a teenage boy. I felt as though the book could have used more action in the middle, but, it did come full circle and I liked it quite a bit. My favorite part of the book is the chapter called "Love," which was written beautifully.I definitely would recommend PLAY ME BACKWARDS for those aren't looking for a typical teen novel. The addition of the idea of Satan to novel really brought it to life and made it different in an interesting way. I also love the title because it really plays into an aspect of Stan's character. This book is like no other and I think readers will genuinely appreciate its hilarious and sanguine moments.
Teaser
Leon Harris isn’t exceptional and he isn’t popular. He’s the kind of guy that peaked in middle school, when once upon a time he was in the “gifted” program and on the fast track to Ivy League glory. Now, a high school senior, he’s a complete slacker who spends his time hanging out in a third-rate ice cream parlor with his best friend, Stan, a guy who (jokingly, Leon thinks) claims to be Satan. Committed to his sloth, Leon panics when he finds out that Anna, the love of his life aka middle school girlfriend, might be moving back to town.
Promo
Leon Harris isn’t exceptional and he isn’t popular. He’s the kind of guy that peaked in middle school, when once upon a time he was in the “gifted” program and on the fast track to Ivy League glory. Now, a high school senior, he’s a complete slacker who spends his time hanging out in a third-rate ice cream parlor with his best friend, Stan, a guy who (jokingly, Leon thinks) claims to be Satan. Committed to his sloth, Leon panics when he finds out that Anna, the love of his life aka middle school girlfriend, might be moving back to town.
About the Book
A committed slacker enlists the help of his best friend (who may or may not be the devil) to get his act together in this novel filled with humor, awkwardness, and honesty, ideal for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Leon Harris isn’t exceptional and he isn’t popular. He’s the kind of guy that peaked in middle school, when once upon a time he was in the “gifted” program and on the fast track to Ivy League glory.
Now, a high school senior, he’s a complete slacker who spends his time hanging out in a third-rate ice cream parlor with his best friend, Stan, a guy who (jokingly, Leon thinks) claims to be Satan. Committed to his sloth, Leon panics when he finds out that Anna, the love of his life aka middle school girlfriend, might be moving back to town.
Determined to get his act together, Leon asks Stan for help. Stan gives him a few seemingly random and mysterious assignments. Date a popular girl. Listen to Moby-Dick, the audiobook. Find the elusive white grape slushee. Join the yearbook committee.
As each task brings Leon one step away from slacker city and one step closer to Anna, he starts to wonder if maybe he shouldn’t have promised Stan his soul after all…
