Children have a voice

Lungs Prefer Air by Donna Crupi

This story is about Daniel, a boy in the midst of high-school, just trying to make it through by playing dumb and smoking pot. When his best friend, affectionately called Mu, is threatened with summer school over the requirement to wear shorts in gym Daniel takes his English assignment to improve the lives of students seriously.

I like the over-all idea of the story that it’s important to have rules with exceptions. Kids, although inexperienced have a voice of reason worth listening to. My only trouble with this book was the incessant head-hopping. It was distracting and disrupted the flow of the story. The storyline pleasantly reminded me of an after-school-special that ended on a very empowering high note.

I would recommend this story to the young adult audience. It’s a reminder them that they have power if they choose to exercise it, and it’s never too late to change your direction in life.