A realistic exploration of post-trauma life and the power of friendships with appeal for reluctant readers.
Nick’s life comes to an abrupt turning point following a surfing accident.
When the wave Nick was surfing—of the type ominously called a ledge for its dangerous nature—rolls on top of him, it sends his body crashing onto a rock, and he ends up using a wheelchair for an indefinite period. The prognosis is rather bleak: The active and energetic teen who once exceled at football might never recover the use of his legs….The road to recovery, while laborious and sad—with countless painful sessions of physical therapy and multiple letdowns from a continuously smaller circle of former friends—is also marked with newly found and uplifting friendships: Ahmad, the physical therapist and a Syrian refugee, whose family quickly embraces the paralyzed teen; Ahmad’s teenage cousin O.C., a partial amputee whose anger and irascibility resonate all too familiarly with Nick; Arnie, the drifter who saved Nick’s life by calling 911; and Keira, the goth girl from school who went unnoticed for all these years. The author does a remarkable job of depicting the harsh realities of life-changing trauma, realistically taking readers through the challenging and frustrating times that follow. Carefully chosen, uncomplicated vocabulary doesn’t detract from the depth with which each character is explored, making for an accessible and engaging read. Nick, Keira, and Arnie are assumed to be white.
A realistic exploration of post-trauma life and the power of friendships with appeal for reluctant readers. (Fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Jan. 28, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4598-2461-4
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Orca
Review Posted Online: Oct. 20, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2019
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
A suspenseful story that starts off with great promise but fails to deliver.
A teenage girl struggles with the question of whom to trust in the age of social media exposure.
Thanks to Connie’s mom’s family vlog, her life is anything but private. She enjoyed it at first, but now, between the mean comments online and the cruel mockery from peers in real life, Connie feels like she’s in a prison. Her sister, Isla, says it’s worth it for the money, but Connie isn’t sure if that’s really true. Connie’s anger over Mom’s refusal to heed warnings that revealing so much puts them in danger continues to build. When she’s left alone for two weeks while Mom and Isla go on a college road trip, local girls start dying, and a fan reaches out on social media in an unsettling way, leaving Connie worried about her safety. White-presenting Connie’s sense of humor is charming, and her insights will earn readers’ sympathy as the tension builds. As emotions rise, Preston’s poetic language beautifully captures Connie’s feelings about her mom’s obsession with social media and her confusion about who is worthy of her trust. The topics of safety and the uncharted waters of social media are skillfully woven into the plot. However, some inconsistencies weaken the overall story: Apart from Connie, the characters are too lightly developed, and some plot points don’t align with earlier events and motivations, making the ultimate revelation a disappointment.
A suspenseful story that starts off with great promise but fails to deliver. (Thriller. 12-18)Pub Date: Dec. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9798217028009
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
