Fins vs. Feet

Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature
By Robin Brande

I had heard about this title previously and when I saw it on the shelf the other day, I decided it was high time to check it out!

Summary
Mena Reece is starting high school on a low note. She’s recently been kicked out of her church and has brought about lawsuits against the pastor and multiple people in the congregation. All because she saw something she thought was wrong and decided to say something about it. As her entire world has revolved around Paradise Christian until now, this has put quite a damper on her social life. Throw in the fact that her parents are barely speaking to her and Mena might as well be invisible.

But while the first day of school proves torturous in many ways – from insults hissed in her ear to getting “accidentally” hip-checked by angry ex-friends – there is an unexpected bright spot. Mena’s biology teacher, Ms. Shepard, who is funky, dynamic, passionate about science, and just all-around intriguing. Ms. Shepard soon begins a unit on evolution, and while Mena would have previously been part of the “back turners” – the group of kids from her church who demand to be taught intelligent design and turn their chairs around in protest of the teaching of evolution – she finds herself really thinking about Ms. Shepard’s lessons, and begins to think about things on her own for change.

The events that occur during the evolution unit become bigger than anyone could have anticipated, and Mena finds herself facing questions about the co-existence of science and religion. In the end, she must decide what truths are those that are most comfortable to her, and find her own path to accepting what she knows is best for herself.

Worth staying up past bedtime?
Rating: Up ‘Til Dawn

Oh wow. If you are at all interested in a fiction story that sinks its teeth into some controversial real-life issues, get out and read this book. Yes, there are plenty of teen books out there that deal with topics like sex, drugs, bad parenting, etc., but I can’t think of one I’ve read that tackles religion like this one did. I love that Brande decided to tell the story from the point of view of a girl who maintained her own faith, but wasn’t afraid to question things she saw, thought, and felt. Some of the situations and questions Mena encounters are delicate (she’s never seen Lord of the Rings, because her parents believe it contains witchcraft), but Brande skillfully portrays Mena’s sheltered existence and the countering beliefs of her new friends with grace and respect for all parties. In the end, Mena makes decisions that are comfortable for her while simultaneously learning to open her mind to new ideas and ways of thinking.

Recommended for ages 13 and up.