Customer Reviews

Playing with Matches

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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With his debut novel, Brian Katcher has successfully crafted the bittersweet tale of a teenage boy's quest to find love in the tragicomic world of a typical suburban high school.

The novel's protagonist, Leon, is one of a new breed of literary subject: the iconoclastic and self-professed nerd, comfortable in his own skin, but yearning, ultimately, for something more than his circle of male friends can provide. While his long-held crush on the popular cheerleader Amy Green blossoms into something more real (and inconvenient) than he could've ever dared imagine, it is the budding relationship between Leon and Melody Hennon that forms the beating heart of the book. Melody's character is a marvel. Mr. Katcher manages to write a profoundly scarred young woman with such depth that you often forget, as does Leon, that she is scarred at all. While the reality of Melody's disfigurement is always acknowledged, it never overwhelms what is a truly astonishing character. The reader never questions why Leon would be drawn to Melody's wit and warmth, nor do we question her interest in him.

In the end, the plot resists easy answers to the many questions it poses about self-esteem, trust, love, and the great yearning all young people feel for acceptance by their peers. The author mixes laughter and tears in equal measure to produce a nuanced and deeply heartfelt look at young love in all its complex glory. Bravo to Mr. Katcher for a fine debut to his literary career.

The book is certainly entertaining, but what I most enjoy are the insights about human nature in general, and about adolescence in particular. The author has either an amazing memory or an astounding capacity for observation and empathy.

The characters, their motivations, and their actions are entirely believable. The pacing is even, and the plot a perfect recipe for absorbing readers' attention.

The humane, respectful, and accessible manner in which Brian Katcher approaches his characters--and his topic--will win readers' hearts.

Several of my students are choosing to read this book, and they admire the way the author describes the events, personalities, and emotions of high school life with accuracy and compassion.

I hear them laugh aloud as they read, and I see their reluctance to put the book away. This behavior is quite an endorsement.

As I read this Young Adult novel I was brought back to my own years in high school with all the angst and emotions that entailed. I was rooting for Leon so strongly that it was painful to see him make the inevitable teenage boy mistakes. I was also constantly reminding myself that it was written by a man. The writer was able to capture the emotions of both the male lead and the female characters which was fascinating to read. This is more than YA fiction. It is a seriously good read for anyone.

I am a teacher of young adults and a YA writer, myself. I ordered the book because I'm also writing a story about a burn victim. When I picked it up, I thought it might provide me some research material that may be useful, but what I got was much more. I literally read it in one evening, because I was dying to know how things turned out with Leon and Melody. Katcher's voice is astounding, and I was instantly rooting for Leon. The empathy and seriousness of the topic regarding burn victims is touching, but the author wrote the book in such an entertaining manner, that I didn't feel preached to.

Katcher understands popular teen culture and language. His use of slang is right on the mark, and he describes the high school experience quite effectively and believably. I am very impressed by Katcher's first novel. I believe he will be a YA writer to watch. Although his protagonist is male, I feel that girls will love this book. In fact, it may be more geared to a female audience because of the romantic elements. This is quite a feat for most male authors--to close in on an opposite gender audience. I feel that males will like the book as well. They will undoubtedly relate to Leon and his dating dilemmas. The sexual tension in the story is also right on the mark for YA. Katcher's voice reveals this tension...the male yearnings for sexual experience and its preoccupation.

The characters are diverse and enjoyable, and the book is a delightful and insightful read. I will definitely encourage my students to read this book, and I'll look forward to more from Brian Katcher. Bravo!

This is that same old sob story, boy meets girl, falls in love but then is distracted by another prettier girl...This is a book that gives new meaning to the phrase "Laugh 'til it hurts." Leon Sanders knows his place in the high school hierarchy--he's a nerd. Girls don't go for guys like him so he hangs out with other nerds, the one black kid in his otherwise white high school and Samantha, the burgeoning feminist. Of course, Sam's a girl but she's just a friend. She doesn't count.

The most beautiful girl in school is cheerleader Amy Green. But Leon's invisible to her and even if he does pluck up nerve to speak to her he makes a fool of himself.

Over the summer, the school lockers have been switched around and Leon discovers that Melody Hennon has her locker next to his. Melody's face was severely burned when she was a baby and she's gone through grade, middle and high school with all the other kids Leon knows. She's scared and hideous and the butt of many jokes. Leon strikes up a conversation with her and bit by bit he discovers a person who shares most of his interests. And you know what, she really doesn't look that bad...

And once he gets beyond her ruined face, he notices she has a cute butt, shapely legs and, ahem, knockers. They share secrets. They can talk about anything. Leon feels protective as he introduces her to his friends. And then comes the night out on the dam with the gang and the pair of them wander off together hand in hand, to look at the stars and steal that magical first kiss. And all the time this is happening, Leon's continually distracted by glimpses of Amy...he can't help it.

Just when he's getting really serious about Melody, Amy tells him about how her parents are getting divorced and makes Leon feel sorry for her.

Reading this book is like a manual of "how to make girls notice you" for teenage boys. It's the perfect warning for teenage girls about what teenage boys are like. For adult readers, it will take them back to being sixteen again, hormones burgeoning, confusion blossoming and social awkwardness rampant--and it will make them very very thankful that they are grown up now and done with that.

The story is narrated by Leon himself, and Leon is totally clueless and unable to grapple with his emotions or his desires. One can tell almost before it even starts that Leon is not going to screw anybody except himself. Melody might have been burned by a lantern that blew up in her face, but what scorches Leon is love, pure love and this book is agonizingly painful to read and also a pure joy. It will make you laugh so hard and feel so wise to see Leon stumbling into manhood, brass-a$$ backwards, growing up by falling down. Loved it. Recommend it highly. Don't be fooled by the YA label--this book is so good that adults might love it even more than the kids.

Read this book, also check out Almost Perfect.....Brian I hope you write more soon...Can we have follow up t both your books

I was instantly hooked after reading only the first couple pages. I found this story unique and realistic. There was never a dull moment, and I found myself staying up late reading "just one more chapter". The author was able to create a story that both sexes can equally enjoy. This book was reviewed as a coming of age tale, and I think he did well painting out the high school scene. The issues addressed in this book are some that we have to face at any age in life. I was happy with how he didn't give the book in a typical over-used "happy ending" fashion. Some of the scenes where Leon and Melody share with each other their emotional baggage, truly brought me to tears. This book also has some of the most touching and endearing moments I have ever read from a love story. The part where Leon kisses all her imperfections to show her how beautiful he thought she was, truly was one of the most romantic scenes I have read.

Also I teach a reading class with students who hate to read, so I am always searching for books to peak their interest. I began reading a chapter a day aloud to my 10th grade students and they are absolutely hooked! Boys and girls beg me to go onto the next chapter whenever I put the book down to start the days lesson.

This is a wonderful book that I just happened to stumble upon one day in the library.

A wonderful book. You can't help but fall in love with the adventures and foibles of lead character Leon Sanders as he finds himself caught in a love triangle. Hilarious and witty and touching. Can't wait to read his next effort.

Leon Sanders: at times you hate him, at times you love him. Most of the time you are frustrated by his decisions and then he does something wonderful to redeem himself. He's the lead character in Brian Katcher's Playing with Matches. Leon isn't the smartest, best looking, most popular guy in his high school, he's just average. But he wants above-average Amy Green to be his girlfriend. What he doesn't plan on is falling for Melody, a girl scarred on the inside and out. Melody and Leon become close just at the time that Amy Green notices him. Will Leon choose beauty on the inside or beauty on the out?

Brian Katcher does an amazing job of creating these multi-dimensional charcters that most people can relate to. I related to Leon's struggles to fit in and be popular and his struggle of finding that one person that completes him. He acts like a typical teenage boy, obsessed with beauty and the superficial. Of course, he then redeems himself by falling for a girl that is far from being pretty or popular. His journey is at times heartbreaking and triumphant. At one part in the book, I was so disgusted with his actions that I just quit reading. I didn't want to live through the consequences with him. But the book is so readable, I soon picked it back up and read some more. It really sucks you in from the beginning. I must caution, there is language and sexual situations. But it's a great read! And it's only Katcher's first book! Lots more to look forward to!