Catalyst
Anderson, L. H.
2002.
New York: Viking
Age Range: 14+
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Rating: 4.5/5


Intensity tangibly flows from this novel. The stress of being "Good Kate," the girl who gets straight As, acts as mother-nursemaid-housekeeper-glue for her preacher father and asthmatic brother, is the perfect girlfriend to her Harvard-bound boy, and otherwise exhibits superhuman powers is becoming much too much for Kate Malone to bear. She doesn't sleep, runs until her chest aches and her achilles tendon is about to snap, and irons her father's shirts until they could preach themselves. Her dream, to attend MIT just like her mother is quickly crashing down around her ears; her father is a much better religious zealot than parent; and to top it all off, her arch-nemesis Teri moves in after her home is damaged by fire. It's enough to make anyone snap! Although the Teri situation is bleak, Kate quickly becomes attached to Teri's little brother Mickey and his bright personality, finding reprieve in the simplicity of the little boy's life. When an accident occurs at the re-build site for Teri and Mickey's home, the implications are great. Kate must learn to deal with her own feelings as well as forge a connection with Teri, and understand that there can be many catalysts for one reaction.

An amazing, insightful and intense novel. I was placed directly in the mind of this brilliant but exceptionally fragile protaganist - feeling Kate's fears, frustrations, joys and pains. Anderson is a masterful writer who easily captures the stress, heartache, expectations and terror that adolescence can bring. A great novel that shows the interconnectedness of life and the beauty that can come from loss.