War and Speech - Don Zolidis

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⭐ 9.5/10

(Originally written by Magdalene)

This book was everything I like and enjoy about YA contemporary reads. Sydney's dad has just gone to prison for tax evasion, so she's forced to move and go to a new, super-artsy school where the Speech and Debate team reigns supreme. All of the varsity members are terrible and the coach is especially terrible, so along with her new outcast friends, Sydney makes a plan to join the team and destroy it from the inside. Except she might actually be really good at speech?!?

This book is very funny with great dialogue and a likeable teen who can't keep her mouth shut. The team members are kind of ridiculously terrible, but it's all fun. It also has some depth, though, as it addresses toxic hustle culture, the American dream, the problems with focusing on winning above else, and the competitiveness of American schools.

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