If one of the primary ways of getting young people to connect with a book is to create a protagonist they identify with, then Blake Nelson has absolutely done it again in Destroy All Cars.
From the first page of this fantastic novel, James Hoff’s funny, angry, relentless 
voice grabs the reader and pulls you right into his world. He’s pissed off – at our consumer-based, wasteful, gas-guzzling, hypocritical culture; at his parents; at his ex-girlfriend, Sadie; and, even though he doesn’t readily admit it, himself. In journal entries, essay assignments for Junior AP English, and biting diatribes, James rails against everyone and everything, pointing out their hypocrisies, shortcomings and complete lameness.
Spring semester of his junior year looks like it will be the same old same old. But slowly, James starts paying attention to the nuances of life and relationships. He trys to hook up with some other girls, reconnects briefly with Sadie, and thinks about his life and his situation with more than just an angry, world’s-coming-to-an-end mentality.
It’s great to see James unleash his frustrations and anger, since they’re funny, accurate and “ouch” – spot on. Nelson also does a fantastic job, however, in balancing out James’ scathing wit with a realistic portrait of a guy coming into himself – both in reaction to and in appreciation of his life, family and situation. It’s not sentimental and James remains true to himself to the end; he just transitions believably from a pissed-off, cynical, know-it-all teen to a thoughtful guy, seeing things for what they are and for what they could be – especially if he can use his talents and energy to “get other young people as angry and motivated” as he is.
- Posted by Cori