Name: Burn Baby Burn
ISBN: 9780763674670

Meg Medina

Nora Lopez is seventeen during the summer of 1977, when New York is besieged by arson, a massive blackout, and a serial killer named Son of Sam. Meg Medina transports us to a time when tempers and temperatures ran high to share the story of a young woman who discovers that the greatest dangers are often closer than we like to admit.

Burn Baby Burn

Amanda Kordeliski

Great book, not as strong as Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. Medina immerses you in 1977 NYC and the fear of the Summer of Sam while exploring Nora's own family and the monsters you should be afraid of that don't appear in the newspaper each morning. 

Like with Yaqui, I found myself intensely frustrated with the mother's character in this book and her refusal to see things the way they are. Her disregard for her daughter throughout the book made me want to scream. I loved Nora's relationship with her best friend's family and the support she found in her job and neighbors. 

A well written, vivid portrayal of a young Cuban American girl coming of age during an infamous summer in the 70's. I don't think it is a Printz contender, but wouldn't be surprised to see it win a Pure Belpre.

Kath Lau

Another book with a character (side character but still) that I shared my name with. That's three for this year so yey for me. Nora Lopez is a likeable character and I really felt bad for her. Aside from being afraid outside because of a serial killer, she also has to deal with her brother and his violent behavior at home. Their mother does nothing to stop him and acts like it's just a phase. The supporting characters are brilliant too. I loved the friendship between Nora and her bestfriend. The murder/serial killer is not really the main focus here which was okay with me. I thought the author did a great job incorporating the setting (the Son of Sam murders and the blackout) to the story. There's also romance but it wasn't the main focus of the story. The ending was also perfect, in my opinion.

Kate

Going into this, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. The thriller element wasn't as stone as I'd hoped it would be but that ended up not to matter. It was the characters, their relationships, their private lives and uncertainty of it all that had me totally hooked. I really enjoy each character and thought the different levels of relationships portrayed throughout were so interesting to follow and to be a part of. I loved the scope of different topics this book discussed. From race, to love, to family, murder, to friendships, to poverty, it had it all and more and neither subject was neglected or smoothed over. Overall this was an enjoyable reading experience of a story I hadn't expected.

While violence runs rampant throughout New York, a teenage girl faces danger within her own home in Meg Medina's riveting coming-of-age novel. Nora Lopez is seventeen during the infamous New York summer of 1977, when the city is besieged by arson, a massive blackout, and a serial killer named Son of Sam who shoots young women on the streets. Nora’s family life isn’t going so well either: her bullying brother, Hector, is growing more threatening by the day, her mother is helpless and falling behind on the rent, and her father calls only on holidays. All Nora wants is to turn eighteen and be on her own. And while there is a cute new guy who started working with her at the deli, is dating even worth the risk when the killer likes picking off couples who stay out too late? Award-winning author Meg Medina transports us to a time when New York seemed balanced on a knife-edge, with tempers and temperatures running high, to share the story of a young woman who discovers that the greatest dangers are often closer than we like to admit — and the hardest to accept.

Burn Baby Burn

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