(BWF) Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson - 3 stars

[Ellen]

Teenagers Frankie and Zeke met during a lazy summer in Coalfield, Tennessee, when the two loner kids came together and created an art poster that changed their lives and the lives of many others. It was meant to be a fun challenge, to hang as many posters as possible throughout the town without getting caught, keeping their authorship a secret. There was nothing particularly sinister about the poster but fertile imaginations soon believed it was the work of Satanists, devil-worshippers, or evil-doers of all types. The poster took on a life of its own and panic ensued but even then Frankie and Zeke continued to hang the artwork. Eventually tragic events began to occur in quiet Coalfield and when Zeke and his mother returned to their home in Memphis, he wanted nothing more than to forget what he and Frankie had created. Frankie herself became obsessed with the project and continued for years. Now, twenty years later, Frankie is a well-known author, married and with a young daughter. A reporter, through nearly unbelievable circumstances, has learned that Frankie is behind the entire enterprise. Frankie realizes that it is time for the truth to come out but is afraid that it will change the life she holds dear and that no one will ever trust her again.

It was an interesting story about two misfit kids who had a completely innocent idea that quickly got out of control. Frankie, instead of panicking, seemed to revel in the way society reacted to the poster, while Zeke became increasingly uncomfortable and wanted to put it all behind him. The phrase written on the poster became a buzzword for the masses but became extremely annoying to me after about the 200th time I read it.

[Sue]

Great review!

I agree 100% with the stupid catchphrase!

In the edition I read, the author included a note at the end about how that catchphrase has been part of his internal dialogue his whole life, and his personal connection to the events in the book. That helped explain the stupid phrase a little.

[Robin P]

I agree, I gave this 3 stars, it was sort of underwhelming.

[Heather Reads Books]

Sue wrote: "Great review!

I agree 100% with the stupid catchphrase!

In the edition I read, the author included a note at the end about how that catchphrase has been part of his internal dialogue his whole l..."

I just finished it and gave it 5 stars, but maybe that's because I was once a teenage girl and aspiring writer too. I found all that SUPER relatable.

My edition did not have that bit about the phrase!! I really wish it did. It explains so much – it's a really great sounding few lines rhythmically imo, but definitely seems like something a teenager came up with in its opaqueness.

[Amy]

And I loved the catchphrase. Listening an audio it felt hypnotic, and you could understand what was happening to these kids and what it meant and how hypnotizing it was.