Title: Catalyst
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
First published January 28, 2002
232 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780142400012 (ISBN10: 0142400017)
Rating: 3.61
Overview
Introducing Kate Malone – a brilliant high school student, an exceptional athlete, and a devoted daughter of a preacher. Kate is a master of organization, just like the periodic table she loves to study.
But when her family takes in their neighbors who lost their home in a fire, Kate’s perfectly organized world is turned upside down. She is forced to share her room with her arch-nemesis, Teri, and her little brother.
To make matters worse, she is still waiting to hear back from the only college she applied to – her dream school, MIT. Just when Kate thinks she can manage it all, a life-altering event changes everything she thought she knew about herself and those around her.
Catalyst, written by Laurie Halse Anderson, is a captivating novel that will leave you rethinking your perspective on the world.
About the Author
Laurie Halse Anderson is a renowned author, known for her captivating books which cater to all age groups, including young readers, teenagers, and adults. Her books have sold over 8 million copies worldwide, and her latest masterpiece, SHOUT, is a memoir written in verse.
This book is about the horrific experience of surviving sexual assault at the age of thirteen, and it is a manifesta for the #MeToo era. SHOUT has been recognized with nine starred reviews and has been longlisted for the National Book Award.
Laurie has been nominated for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award four times. Her books, Chains and Speak, were shortlisted for the National Book Award, and Chains was also shortlisted for the Carnegie medal.
Two more of her books, Shout and The Impossible Knife of Memory, were long-listed for the National Book Award. She was bestowed with the Margaret A.
Edwards Award by the American Library Association in 2009 for her contribution to young adult literature. She has also been acknowledged by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English for her battles for intellectual freedom.
Apart from her work in combating censorship, Laurie also advocates for diversity in publishing and is a member of RAINN’s National Leadership Council. She currently resides in Philadelphia, where she loves to indulge in cheesesteaks while writing.
You can follow Laurie on Twitter at @halseanderson, Instagram at halseanderson, and Facebook at lauriehalseanderson or visit her website, madwomanintheforest.com to know more about her.
Editoral Review
Catalyst is a young adult novel by Laurie Halse Anderson that was first published on January 28, 2002. Halse Anderson is a critically acclaimed author of young adult fiction, having won numerous awards for her work, including the Margaret Edwards Award.
The novel portrays a compelling and engaging story about a young girl named Kate Malone, who is living in rural Pennsylvania with her father, a reverend. The story follows Kate through a tumultuous period of her life as she navigates the trials of high school, family responsibilities, and the looming pressure of college admissions.
Kate’s life is upended when a tragedy strikes the community, and she is forced to grapple with the consequences. As the town’s secrets begin to unravel, Kate struggles with her faith and her belief in humanity, and the consequences of her actions take her down a path she never could have imagined.
One of the main strengths of Catalyst is the depth and nuance with which the characters are portrayed. From Kate’s father, who is struggling with his own demons, to her best friend Teri, who is coping with addiction, the characters in the book are complex and multifaceted, making them feel like real people rather than archetypes.
Furthermore, Halse Anderson’s writing is top-notch, and she excels at crafting vivid and evocative descriptions that transport the reader into the world of the story. Her use of imagery and metaphor is particularly impressive, and she does an excellent job of imbuing the story with a sense of urgency and tension.
While the book is primarily aimed at young adults, it tackles some heavy themes, including substance abuse, suicide, and religion. However, Halse Anderson handles these topics deftly, and the novel never feels overly preachy or heavy-handed.
One area where Catalyst could be improved, however, is in its pacing. The novel moves at a leisurely pace for much of its runtime, which may frustrate readers who are looking for a more action-packed story.
Overall, Catalyst is an excellent novel that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages. Its nuanced characterizations, evocative writing, and exploration of complex themes make it a must-read for anyone who enjoys young adult fiction.
We highly recommend it. 4.5/5.
