YOU HAVE SEVEN MESSAGES by Stewart Lewis

copyright date: 2011

primarily marketed for: young adult (7^th grade and up)

I have been thinking lately about the way I am drawn to books that are told through lists of some sort.  Once I got started thinking about it, I came up with quite a list (imagine that) of books that involve a list or series of some sort.  I think this may have to be another blog post sometime soon. 

In this case, You Have Seven Messages contains a series of messages left on a cell phone.   So, here are my seven messages about this book:

1.     The basic premise is totally intriguing: Luna’s mother died when she was hit by a taxi.  A few months later, Luna comes across her still activated cell phone (plot details like this are pretty well accounted for and feel realistic in the context of the story) and finds there are seven messages.  The seven messages help Luna uncover more information about her mother’s death, reveal some of her family’s secrets, and ultimately help her move on.

2.     The setting is appealing: New York City, lush condos and studios owned by a Luna’s father (who is a big-time movie director), city streets and subways. 

3.     Luna’s relationship with her family members (father, charming little brother, and even her mother) is well crafted, believable, and enviable. 

4.     There is a love interest thrown into the mix.

5.     Because the author is also a singer-songwriter, there are lots of music references, and the book has an artsy thread to it as well—Luna is a budding photographer, and her mother used to be a fashion model.

6.     There are lots of characters to keep track of, but if you don’t sweat it, the story will make sense of itself.

7.     Even though by the end it seemed like the author was less clever about his craft and plot development, the story is still an overall fulfilling story of a teenager figuring out who she is in the wake of her mother’s death and revelations about her family.