Burning Blue (291 Pages)

I got this book, because I have loved so much of Paul Griffin's writing. Ten Mile River, and Stay With Me were both outstanding reads. In this book, Griffin takes a different path and focuses on the meaning of beauty. This was not my favorite read, although I think there are YA readers who will enjoy it. It does create some interesting characters, as well as conflicts, and emphasizes the idea of beauty being on the inside as well as the outside. Nicole Castro is the most beautiful, smartest, most popular girl in her high school. She's a great athlete, and if that's not enough; she's really nice.  One day while hurrying to a class, someone throws acid in her face. In addition to horribly burning her skin on one side, the acid also takes away her sight in one eye. Who would do such a thing? This is what Jay Nazzaro, a brilliant, if somewhat nerdy, student in her class decides to find out. Because he has incredible hacking skills (is that an oxymoron?) he slowly uncovers the person(s) responsible.