Windfall

Reviewed by: Jan Hamilton - Long Creek Detention Center, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 5, 2017

Review

Winning the lottery may be a dream for millions but the reality of such a win can be devastating. In celebration of her friend Teddy’s eighteenth birthday Alice purchases a lottery ticket which is a huge winner. From the moment he opens the card containing the ticket everything changes for most of the characters in this well written YA novel. Readers may be surprised by some of the decisions made as they await the blossoming of a long time budding romance. Adventure, personal relationships, shared stories and lifelong dreams are well developed storylines Smith focuses on as the lottery disaster plays out. Characters are somewhat unique but their existence feels real and their backstories are intriguing.

This book would work well in a discussion group, specifically in a High School Sociology class or a YA reading group. To get an alternate view of the effects of winning a landfall I would suggest paring Windfall with Lottery Boy by Byrne. Add to public libraries who collect YA romance novels.

Overall Book Score: good