Glenn, M. (1999). Foreign Exchange: A Mystery in Poems. New York, BY: Morrow Junior Books.
ISBN-10: 0688164722
•Plot Summary
The exchange is actually the visit of a group of teens from the city, and scheduled to only last one weekend. Still, it requires a city council vote to make the exchange happen, and not everyone is thrilled with the outcome. Melinda Kurtz is pregnant, and the father won't accept the baby is his, so she will give it up. Oliver Nesbitt's store has been failing since the arrival of the Royale Market, and his wife left him. Tonmy la Blanca hates his twin brother, Anthony, because the more they try to be different, the more they are the same. Brian Paxton is an all-American boy, looking forward to college. Annie Gardner, social studies teacher, has fantasies about exotic men rescuing her from Hudson, and not listening to her mother's harping on about her being an old maid. Kristen Clarke just wants to have sex with her boyfriend, and leave Hudson behind, the town new to her. It's nothing but a pain with all the girls jealous of her, and the guys drooling, not to mention her dad too busy to be a dad any longer. David Khalil has no family roots, his father and mother from different countries, his brother now living in Canada, and his various others relatives likewise scattered over the globe. Kwame Richards, from the projects, just wants to have a relaxing evening at a dance. Using poetry, Glenn has created a story of prejudice, anger, the ills that often exist under the surface in small towns. Kristen is found murdered, and Kwame taken in for questioning. They were in a boat, and he was hit from behind, awakening to see Kristen screaming. He remembers nothing else, and now she is dead. Unknown to anyone but the doctor, the investigator, and her father, Kristen was also three months pregnant. It comes to light that Oliver killed her, angry about the young people having a nice time, his failing business, and his wife's rejection. Kwame is released, and the town has learned a lesson about suspicion of the unknown.
•Critical Evaluation
An intriguing mystery, using poetry rather than prose. The problems of small town life are easily expressed through the mental dialogue of each person involved in Hudson's everyday goings on. The fears of the city students are equally well outlined, fears of having no food, of failing grades, and of ignorance taking away everything that matters.
•Reader’s Annotation
Mystery and poetry, surprising, but effective.
•Information about the author
Mel Glenn has authored ten books for young adults, and been nominated for the Edgar Allen Poe Award of the Mystery Writers of America. The ALA has recognized several of his works as Best Books for Young Adults.
He grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and attended Lincoln High School, where he now teaches English. He and his wife, Elyse, have two sons (Jonathan and Andrew).
•Genre
Poetry
•Curriculum Ties
Social Science
English
•Booktalking Ideas
Prejudice and hate crimes, small town life
•Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 11-12/Ages 16-19
•Challenge Issues
N/A
•Why did you include this book in you’re the titles you selected?
I was interested in the use of poetry as a means for revealing the various personalities of the characters involved, as well as the unraveling of the details surrounding the mystery.
