ISBN 978-1368010023
Published by Freeform, 2018
Genre/Format: Horror, Thriller, Dystopian Fiction/Paperback, Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Awards
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers: 2019
YALSA 2019 Teens' Top Ten Title
Reading Level: Grade 9 and up (NoveList)
Plot Summary: The premise of #murdertrending is execution as a form of entertainment, as a money-making opportunity for the man only known as The Postman. Alcatraz 2.0 is his brainchild, sanctioned by the U.S. government but run solely by him. Convicted murders are dropped on Alcatraz 2.0 in the San Francisco Bay where they will be murdered. They don't know when, they don't know how, and they don't know who will execute them, but they know it will happen and that it will be painful. While awaiting their fateful end, convicts must work at an assigned job in order to pay for food. Meanwhile, they are under constant surveillance. Cameras are everywhere, drones can fly over at every time and the entire nation can watch on The Postman's app.
The newest resident is Dee, convicted of murdering her stepsister. Insisting that she has been framed, Dee sets out to prove her innocence. With no contact with the outside world, will Dee be able to save herself before being caught by one of The Postman's Paniacs, horrifically murdered for the world's entertainment?
What's your Painiac name?
(Image: gretchenmcneil.com)
Author Background: Gretchen McNeil is an award-winning author of YA novels such as Ten, Get Even, I'm Not Your Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and the sequels to #murdertrending, #murderfunding and #noescape. Get Even has been made into a show streaming on Netflix.
Critical Evaluation: #murdertrending is a gruesome, gory novel and it is relentless. As long as that is your jam, you will enjoy this humorous romp through a world in which capital punishment exists solely to increase ratings and profits. Chapters followed by message feeds in which fans respond to the happenings on Alcatraz 2.0 helps keep us engaged and reminds us its inhabitants are not alone.
Speed-Round Book Talk: Mix The Truman Show, Medieval town square executions, aTwitter and you have an idea of what you're in for with #murdertrending.
Library Program: A creative writing workshop using hashtags. We'll figure out what the top trending hashtags are on social media then each teen chooses one to use as an inspiration, as part of the story or both. We'll all get 30 minutes to write as much as we can then we'll all share our ideas (or writings if there is time). Snacks included, of course.
Potential Challenges: Some will oppose this book for young adults not just due to its blood and gore, but to the complete lack of morals and ethics in the society that enables its existence. Nonetheless, there are other novels in the library that depict societies of questionable values, other books that depict violence so #murdertrending should be made available to those who are interested.
Reason for Inclusion: This is a popular book amongst teens and it is a YALSA Pick for Reluctant YA Readers. Many are fans of horror and dystopian novels, #murdertrending fits the bill for both. Additionally, it has two sequels so it might even encourage more reading by reluctant readers.
References
McNeil, G. About the Author. Gretchen McNeil. https://www.gretchenmcneil.com/about/
McNeil, G. (2019). #MurderTrending: Painiac Name Generator. Gretchen McNeil.
https://www.gretchenmcneil.com/2019/11/murdertrending-painiac-name-generator/
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