Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan

Blake has a girlfriend (Shannon), and a friend who's a girl (Marissa). This doesn't seem like a problem, at least not to him ... and not at first. Marissa is his photography buddy. They are "Pretty and Gritty" as their teacher refers to them (she takes pretty pictures, he takes gritty ones). It's strictly platonic between them, it isn't even as if they are that close until Blake unknowingly takes a picture of Marissa's mom.

He thought he was photographing a homeless person, but when he shows the photo in class, Marissa's reaction is far from impersonal. Apparently her mom is a junkie, and that's why she lives with her grandmother. Marissa pumps Blake for information, and she rushes off to look for her.

Surprisingly enough, she finds her. Marissa's mom agrees to go into rehab, and move back in with her family. It seems like things are going pretty well, but things aren't usually that easy. Marissa starts taking crazy risks, like barrelling down a hill on a bike with 300 other crazy people!

Shannon starts thinking that maybe there's something going on between Blake and Marissa. She doesn't want to be jealous, but it seems like every time she turns around they are together. It's especially hard for Blake because he doesn't feel like he can tell Shannon about Marissa's personal problems. Is there a way for the three of them to coexist? Can Blake find a balance between the girl he loves and the girl who needs him?

This story is so full of perfect touches. Their family pet is the Dog Formerly Known as Prince, Blake revels in the "first laugh of the day," his brother Garrett refers to him as Studly, his brother has it bad for a school dj called Cappy, his mom says things like "he'll rue the day!" ... so many special things that cannot be included in a synopsis. The humor thoughout really makes this story shine. Her insight into the teenage male is astounding. Recommended for males, and anyone who appreciates a quirky, realistic tale. Madigan won the Morris YA Debut award for excellence in a first novel.

"Then I have a close-up of black pavement where someone scattered a bunch of white petals. It made me wonder if some girl was picking up the petals, saying 'He loves me ... he loves me not ...' or if some guy got stood up by a girl and was ripping up the flowers as he walked away.

My favorite shot is the one that's the most depressing: a woman, dressed all in black and gray, is passed out against the side of a dirty gray building. Even her pale arm looks dirty and gray, with a tattoo of a snake slithering down it. The only color in the shot is a streak of bright purple in her hair. Marissa grabs the photo and holds it closer to her face. She gasps, a ragged sound that breaks through the murmur of other people. 'That's my mom!'" (Madigan, 2009).

*Library Link*

If you liked this, check out:
The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan
How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford
Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford

Madigan, L.K. (2009). Flash Burnout. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.