Don’t Even Think About It (Book) Review
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“We weren’t always like this.” In a time when vaccinations and their possible side effects are hot topic issue (regardless of whether they should be or not), one set of teens is in for the ride of their lives when getting their standard flu shots has some very unexpected consequences. Don’t Even Think About It […]
“We weren’t always like this.”
In a time when vaccinations and their possible side effects are hot topic issue (regardless of whether they should be or not), one set of teens is in for the ride of their lives when getting their standard flu shots has some very unexpected consequences. Don’t Even Think About It is told in a unique group style, with most of the narration coming from a collective of thoughts? Why? Well, it all goes back to those flu shots.
After a homeroom class in a Tribeca school gets their flu shots from the nurse at school, some of them start to notice some highly unusual symptoms within just a few hours. And when I say unusual, I don’t mean rashes or fevers or a bit of nausea. Instead, the teens soon realize that they are able to read minds – for real. No more do they have to wonder if what that cute guy in class really thinks of them, or what their teachers daydream about, or what their parents do at night (ew!). Nope, for this set of teens, things just got a whole lot easier in some ways – and so much more complicated in others.
It’s an interesting (if highly unlikely) premise, and it sets off a series of adventures that are told by the sets of teens as a whole (as they explain, they have come to think almost collectively since thoughts flow so easily back and forth between them). Due to some quick thinking on the part of one of the teens, their new abilities are a complete secret, opening the door for such things as cheating on tests and doing just the right thing seemingly without effort. But it also opens the door for the others to know all your deepest secrets, regardless of the cost.
Since it’s narrated by teenagers, the vibe in Don’t Even Think About It is decidedly casual and young, and it should appeal nicely to that age bracket. While the topics and troubles that pop up can seem a bit shallow at times, for a teenager they are anything but. The book also does a nice job of introducing some ethical issues and consequences in a way that doesn’t seem preachy, as the kids deal with the repercussions of being able to get inside someone’s head. It’s a light, mostly fun read that is perfect for an afternoon at the beach.