A fast-paced drama with plenty of twists and turns that delves into relatable themes.
In this sophomore novel by an Australian mother-daughter writing team, a teenager’s school ball doesn’t go according to plan.
Year Twelve class president Amy Middleton is in her final year of high school. She’s lived in anticipation of the school ball for years and has everything organized, from her dress to her highlighter sparkle stick. The only problem is that it’s five days away, and no one has asked her to be their date yet. After Amy gives him a little nudge, Leo Prince, her longtime crush, finally invites her, solidifying her dream that the ball will be her special night. But when Amy’s best friend, Gabby Gibson, does something impulsive, everything spirals out of control. The authors carefully reveal each plot twist in this well-paced narrative that unfolds through different perspectives and formats, including Amy’s witty and often hilarious journal entries, group texts, statements to the police, and school newsletter entries, hooking readers from the first page. Amy becomes increasingly sympathetic as she fights to overcome each obstacle. The authors offer a deep yet accessible exploration of difficult topics such as teacher-student relationships and the negative impact social media can have. The book brings up these topics authentically and deals with them in a reflective way that allows the characters opportunities for growth. Amy and Leo present white.
A fast-paced drama with plenty of twists and turns that delves into relatable themes. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 12, 2026
ISBN: 9781536247435
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Feb. 16, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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