Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

Reviewed by: Carey Gibbons, Reference Assistant

Genre: Science Fiction

Suggested Age: Older Teens and Adults

What is the book about?: Oh boy. I will do my best to explain. Austin spends most of his time hanging out with his best friend Robby and his girlfriend Shann. One afternoon, Austin and Robby get beaten up for being queer in the alley behind From Attic to Seller Consignments. Robby already knows he’s gay, but Austin isn’t sure because he loves his girlfriend very much. But he also loves Robby. Later that night, Austin and Robby witness the same kids who beat them up break into the consignment shop. Turns out there is a bunch of creepy stuff in jars in the consignment shop’s main office, like a severed head, a set of hands, a two-headed baby, and what appears to be a globe full of bioluminescent mold. The kids who beat up Austin and Robby steal the globe full of “mold”, but they drop and break it on the way out. Unwittingly, they unleash an army of unstoppable giant homicidal praying mantises on the world with this act. Still with me? As if Austin’s life couldn’t get more weird – now he has to try to save the world in addition to dealing with the confusion of being a bisexual teenager.

My review: Ultimately, I liked this book a lot, but there are a few caveats here. The main one is that if you are put off by crude or offensive language or imagery, this book is not for you. Austin is a historian and he believes it is his job to relay the truth of events, no matter how gruesome. With a lot of cursing. This didn’t bother me, but I can see how some folks would be turned off by it. Despite (and maybe because of) some of the language and imagery – much of it sexual and some of it involving giant murderous bugs –  I found Grasshopper Jungle to be a pretty sensitive and honest portrayal of a person’s confusing teenage years. Smith does a great job of telling Austin’s personal story by connecting the dots of history, coincidence and circumstance in regard to Austin’s ancestors, all the way back to his great-great grandfather. As for the giant carnivorous praying mantises and the end of the world… isn’t that what our teen years felt like anyway?

Rating: 4/5

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About FDL Reads

FDL ReadsWelcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.  Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available.  If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently.  We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!