Never Cry Werewolf

December 1, 2009
Gr 8-10-Sixteen-year-old Shelby knows she is acting out and making some bad choices when it comes to boys and dating, but she never expected her father and "wicked" stepmother to banish her to a "brat camp" for the summer. Luckily for Shelby, she is allowed to choose the artsy Camp Crescent instead of Priscilla's choice of Red Canyonaka boot camp from hell. Camp turns out not to be a total waste even with the preachy Mr. Winters and singing guitar lady Cynthia. Shelby manages to make some new friends, but the real highlight is the arrival of Austin Bridges III. Not only is he the son of a legendary rock star, but he is also cute, kind, intriguing, and totally mysterious. Shelby is drawn to him and the terrible dark family secret that he is willing to share only with her. How can she turn her back on him, especially with the full moon only a few nights away? Davis weaves together a fast-paced action adventure story with issues of peer pressure, divorce, betrayal, friendship, acceptance, and, of course, romance. Shelby is fearless and impulsive, but she is also a caring soul who just needs to find her way in a confusing world. This novel has great teen appeal but is not as dark or edgy as others in this genre. It will leave readers wanting more."Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2010
After breaking curfew again, Shelby is sent to a therapy camp for teens. She immediately falls for the gorgeous son of a rock star, who is secretly a werewolf. Shelby goes out of her way to guard this information at great risk to herself. The narrative unfolds with a light touch, but the story lacks suspense.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2009
Grades 7-10 The direct, first-person narrative in this werewolf debut makes for a quick read and an easy sell for reluctant readers. High-school sophomore Shelby Locke struggles to cope with the death of her mother and deal withan overbearing stepmother. When Shelby breaks another curfew, her stepmom ships her off to Camp Crescent, a cushy brat camp, threatening Shelby (foreshadowing!) with desert boot camp if she gets into any more mischief. At Crescent, Shelby meets Austin Bridges, a British bad boy and closeted werewolf. Flirtation ensues and Shelby finds herself violating camp rules to help Austin before the full moon exposes his family secret. Readers will admire Shelbys easygoing attitude despite being hounded by a militant, Kumbaya-strumming counselor. Shelby and Austins light romance, while hardly evoking the heart palpitations of Edward and Bella (or Bella and Jacob for that matter), will engage teen girls. With lines like, Um, youre super cuteDuh! teens wont count this among their favorite reads, but theyll definitely pick it up off the shelf.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)