a family with more issues than yours.

The Savages by Matt Whyman is sure to keep your ninth grader reading and you happy, as long as you're not a prude. The Savage family have a secret that dates back one generation, from a time when Grandpa had little to nothing to survive on. It's a secret that has now become a family tradition, only for very special occasions. Not only are The Savage family, Titus, Angelica, 15-year-old Sasha, 12-year-old Ivan, toddler Kat, and grandpa Oleg, CANNIBALS - they have plenty other things wrong with them as well. Titus is never up to any good with his shady business deals. Mom, Angelica is a shopping addict and has racked up an insane amount of debt she's trying to hide from Titus. But Ivan and his string of dangerous practical jokes is definitely the cherry on top as he has a tendency to kill people on accident, sort of. And poor Sasha's biggest problem is she's dating a vegetarian who she absolutely cannot bring home to her family who enjoys a man-flesh sandwich on special occasions. This super dark young adult novel manages to be funny when it needs to be, it's a little awkward at times, but since high school is pretty awkward, it fits.