#41. Final Friends: The Party. Christopher Pike. Young Adult Fiction. 3 Stars
#42. Final Friends: The Dance. Christopher Pike. Young Adult Fiction. 3 Stars
#43. Final Friends: The Graduation. Christopher Pike. Young Adult Fiction. 3.5 Stars
*If you’re just joining in and wondering why a 31 year old is reading a tween trilogy from the late 1980’s then feel free to catch up here.
These held up surprisingly well over time, which is both disappointing (it would have been fun to write a funny Dairi Burger-esque post about these books ridiculing and recapping them) and inspiring (it’s nice to know that not EVERYTHING I read as a tween was complete crap – see: SVH).
In fact, while the material is obviously geared towards younger minds than mine, the mystery that binds the trilogy together is not a “oh I know who did it on the third page” sham…in fact had memories of reading the books not flooded back I don’t know that I would have accurately put the puzzle together much before Michael Olson (dashing crush-worthy protaganist – yes, even now) which is saying something since I can usually put together the “twist” or “shocking ending” on most movies and certainly on every single Law & Order episode well before the characters.
Also, with the exception of the word “neat” as in “wow, that’s neat.” being used too often and the occasionally ridiculous “far-out” as in “Michael is a far-out guy” the books stood up pretty well across the board, with few truly embarrassing lines. I remember having a super crush on Michael Olson and I don’t know whether I’m proud or ashamed to say that I guess I haven’t changed that much, because I still find him super appealing. I suppose he is written pretty much as the “perfect guy” so maybe there is no real mystery and it has nothing to do with me, except for the fact that I’m a predictable girl just like all the other girls. Hmm. *sigh*.
Anyway, overall the plot remains strong enough and the writing is not too bad and the third book, The Graduation is the most interesting, largely due to the fact that the most actually happens in that book and all is slowly revealed, but also because the characters mature a bit and it’s nice to see that Pike, even when writing for tweens was able to delicately age the teen characters as the books progressed. You really do leave with the feeling that they have changed and aged, but it’s not so dramatic and annoying as you would expect for a tween book. Well done Mr. Pike.
I picked up Weekend immediately after finishing The Graduation, to see if Pike’s other books (the FF Trilogy was by far my favorite of Pike’s as a tween) could stand up as well as these did. I remember also liking Weekend very much back then, but so far it’s not holding up as well. Not bad, but not as strong as the FF Trilogy…but more on Weekend and the rest of my Pike Fest in book review #44 – …!
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Thanks for bringing us up to speed on this trilogy! 😉
Last week, I had to speak to a group of about 500 7th graders and 400 8th graders for their career day. When I got to the school’s auditorium, I threw my computer bag onto the table– right on top of a copy of R.L. Stine’s “Blind Date.” Apparently, the covers change but the obsession for “teen Stephen King” stays the same.
I had to laugh because that was right after your first post that started all of this, and it was like psychic friends connection.
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that’s us…psychic friends connection!
i’m shocked that R.L. Stine and the like still reigns all powerful. when Adam saw my Pike books arrive he was kind of fascinated (he was more reading fantasy novels and D&D stuff when we were reading these) and he was all, “is this really a booming industry? can we just write a bunch of these and retire?” i didn’t actually know if these kind of books were still running strong, but you’ve got some strong evidence there it seems.
i have to admit, i’ve toyed with banging out a young adult novel or two in the hopes that i could “just retire” with reading Pike the impulse has returned…but ultimately i may just be too lazy…and too proud…
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Be not too proud… if these actually get young folks to READ at all, then I say that’s nothing to be ashamed of!!
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Awesome! I had considering recapping Christopher Pike, but you are so right, it’s hard to be snarky because they are pretty kickass.
Have you read Season of Passage? It was one of his adult novels and it changed my life. It’s incredible and still one of my favorite books ever. Love your blog and thanks for linking to me!
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gosh – didn’t mean to steal your thunder by taking a look at the Pike books, although it was pretty hard to honestly skewer them so I think you’ve got a much better/bigger gold mine with the material you’ve already picked. the things that i found most annoying about Pike’s books are the things that i find most annoying about teens (now and then) so it’s hard to say how lame that is…i mean he’s pretty much nailed the target audience…accurately.
i did notice myself getting pretty bitter though as i got deeper and deeper in the pike/teen world – so i’ve no idea how you’re handling the SVH stuff without letting it get under your skin – that stuff is so much worse! maybe it’s the fact that it is over the top ridiculous that actually makes it easier to take lightly.
please do keep it up over there at Dairi Burger…i am LOVING it. thanks for reading!
oh – and i didn’t read Season Of Passage…but if it’s changing people’s lives i think i should check it out.
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no stealing thunder. it’s easier for me to write about stuff that makes me mad. I had the flu a few weeks ago and that was when I read about seven SVHs—between those and my high fever I seriously thought I hated the world and everyone.
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after some of my negative feelings just from reading the pike books i know i could never go back and read the SVH…i think i’d tear them to shreds…plus i have you reading them and cleverly reporting back…so you’ve filled that void. thank you! let me know if i can do anything for you!
kelly
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