Sketchy Behavior

Erynn Mangum is the author of the Miss Match and the Cool Beans series. She’s nuts about all things coffee, is crazy for pink, and adores the Food Network. Erynn lives with her husband, Jon, and their son in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Sixteen-year-old Kate Carter sees her life as typical and unremarkable. Her days are filled with school, homework, and television viewing with her best friend, Maddy. Having sworn off dating after one disastrous experience, she has a pleasant, if perfunctory, relationship with her parents, and only the vaguest sense of who God might be. This all changes dramatically after her well-meaning art teacher introduces Kate and her classmates to forensic sketching. Before Kate knows it, her sketch of a notorious murderer is making headlines. As Kate loses her anonymity and her sense of security, she and her mother begin to seek spiritual solace at church, and soon Kate finds herself engrossed by the Psalms and Gospel of Luke. Additionally, Kate's world opens up beyond the confines of her friendship with Maddy, and she meets a boy who might even make her reconsider her dating ban. Though it is occasionally difficult to suspend disbelief, especially when a sketch artist gets such sustained celebrity treatment, Kate's wit and self-deprecation, combined with Mangum's entertaining take on the crime thriller genre, make for pleasurable reading. Ages 9–12. (Sept.) Copyright 2011 Reed Business Information.

Erynn Mangum's novel Sketchy Behavior is a mystery about a teenager and, thus, is aimed at teen readers. Kate Carter is a normal sixteen year old until she draws a sketch of a serial killer that leads to his arrest. Kate becomes the new hero of her town but, inside, she is unsure of how to handle her new popularity.

Kate is much like any other teenager. Although she doesn't have many friends, she enjoys the life she has. When she draws the sketch of a serial killer, she is forced to have protection around the clock. She is in fear that the killer could eventually come after her, but she tries to shrug it off. Kate cannot seem to go back to her old life, as much as she would like to. She finds her faith in God while trying to get her life back to normal. In Exodus 33:14 it says, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." This verse fits the book best because Kate lives in constant terror until she begins to believe in God and has peace in her life.

Kate is a fun main character. She is constantly answering other people with witty and humorous comments. She has many quirks about her that everyone can relate to and love. She doesn’t have a lot of intimate friends but finds enjoyment in everything she does, including eating cereal in a bizarre way. She even gets the stuffy detectives to crack a smile more than once. She is someone anyone can relate to.

Sketchy Behavior is an enjoyable book targeted at teen girls. Erynn Mangum writes in a comfortable and witty way that any teenager would love. The secondary characters in the story are rather predictable, but the plot does a good job of pulling all of the elements together in a satisfying conclusion. I recommend this book to all teen girls who want to read something lightweight and enjoyable yet underscores the need for a growing relationship with God. – Brittany Powers, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

Sixteen-year-old Kate Carter sees her life as typical and unremarkable. Her days are filled with school, homework, and television viewing with her best friend, Maddy. Having sworn off dating after one disastrous experience, she has a pleasant, if perfunctory, relationship with her parents, and only the vaguest sense of who God might be. This all changes dramatically after her well-meaning art teacher introduces Kate and her classmates to forensic sketching. Before Kate knows it, her sketch of a notorious murderer is making headlines. As Kate loses her anonymity and her sense of security, she and her mother begin to seek spiritual solace at church, and soon Kate finds herself engrossed by the Psalms and Gospel of Luke. Additionally, Kate’s world opens up beyond the confines of her friendship with Maddy, and she meets a boy who might even make her reconsider her dating ban. Though it is occasionally difficult to suspend disbelief, especially when a sketch artist gets such sustained celebrity treatment, Kate’s wit and self-deprecation, combined with Mangum’s entertaining take on the crime thriller genre, make for pleasurable reading. -- Publishers Weekly