The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult (reviewed by Dana Franzetti)

This book is a page-turner like so many of Jodi Picoult’s books. Also like so many of Picoult’s books, the primary focus is on a seemingly well family and how it responds to some serious issues that arise. The book follows the life of a young teenage girl, Trixie, and her mother and father. Each of these three characters has a secret in their life of which the others are unaware. The book deals with a controversial issue, namely the date-rape drug, but with a twist. It also explores some other difficult topics such teenage sexual activity, suicide, infidelity, and anger issues. It is difficult to say too much about a Picoult book without giving aware too much. Just when you think you have it figured out, Picoult shows you that you have it all wrong. It is very engaging until the end.

I would recommend this book for an older teenager because it deal with so many controversial topics. I would want to be sure that they had the maturity to read this type of book. One other interesting detail is that the father in the story is a comic book author. Almost every chapter ends with his comics which pertain to the story. It is an interesting device and would appeal to those students who are visual learners.

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