A dramatic saga of crime and second chances.
Thedford offers an African American girl’s story of family and faith in East Atlanta in this YA novel.
After Egypt James’ father leaves her family without explanation, she struggles to cope with the loss, experiencing an emotional breakdown and expulsion from school, but she’s supported by her loving mother. Egypt enrolls in Eastside High School, following her family tradition of entering the debutante program. At a local fundraiser, she meets motorcycle-riding William Harris, who’s an attractive but dangerous member of the drug-dealing LD03 gang. Rumors persist about William recruiting young girls to become private dancers for men; still, drawn in by his charm, Egypt becomes pregnant with William’s baby. Soon, William is arrested for human trafficking, and Egypt learns that more LD03 operations are still in operation. And as her father reemerges in her life, questions persist about his own connection to the LD03 and his role in the corruption that consumes her community. Thedford presents a coming-of-age story rife with real-world struggles and set in an Atlanta community in which children mature fast amid violence, poverty, and drug crime. Although the work is never graphic, it effectively deals with difficult themes, including substance abuse, infant mortality, and youth trafficking. Still, the work maintains an uplifting tone, with positive outcomes for most of its main characters. It also highlights Christian faith and forgiveness in a way that may appeal to religious readers and has a message that persistence can bring one’s dreams to life.
A dramatic saga of crime and second chances.Pub Date: March 31, 2022
ISBN: 9781088062890
Page Count: 206
Publisher: New World Press, Inc.
Review Posted Online: Feb. 14, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A compelling romance inhabited by complex and appealing characters.
When star hockey player Alec Barczewski’s estranged childhood friend, Dani Collins, moves to town, they end up in a mutually beneficial fake-dating relationship that reignites old feelings.
Following her parents’ divorce, Dani and her mom move in with Dani’s hockey legend grandfather in Southview, Minnesota, where she spent a month every summer as a child and where her friendship with Alec grew. Between visits, the two were pen pals, but they eventually fell out of touch. Despite some tensions over their loss of friendship, the high school seniors reconnect. Desperate to get off Harvard’s waitlist, Dani needs another extracurricular activity, while Alec—whose reputation took a hit when a photo of him holding a bong appeared on social media—is eager to improve his tarnished image for NHL scouts. The pair strike a deal: They’ll fake date, making Alec look like a stable guy whose academically gifted girlfriend is related to hockey royalty, and in exchange, he’ll get Dani a team manager position that will catch the eye of Harvard’s admissions officers. Eventually, complicated feelings about their past, stressful family relationships, and their brewing romance boil over. Romance fans will love the deliciously tension-filled scenes between Alec and Dani, who are believable friends with heavy demands weighing on them. They feel like real teenagers, and readers will enjoy rooting for them as the well-paced story unfolds. Main characters present white.
A compelling romance inhabited by complex and appealing characters. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2025
ISBN: 9781665921268
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025
SEEN & HEARD
A promising premise that’s lacking in spice.
A fall romance with a New England backdrop.
Autumn leaves aren’t the only stunning thing to hit the town of Briar Glen—so has good-looking new boy Jack Harper, and Lucy Kane is enamored with both. Her new crush is the perfect thing to take her mind off the fact that Java Junction, part of a global chain, is opening across the street from Cup o’ Jo, Lucy’s mother’s coffee shop, where they take pride in baking everything from scratch and avoiding artificial ingredients. But there’s more than coincidence in the timing of the arrivals of both Jack and Java Junction: The Harper family moved to Briar Glen specifically to open this franchise location, which will bring competition that threatens Cup o’ Jo. This scenario has the makings of a perfect autumnal adversaries-to-lovers romance, but the writing lacks charm and chemistry. Jack seems to be completely enamored with Lucy, but her character isn’t sufficiently developed to warrant his attention. Lucy’s friends are continually supportive of her but have few distinguishing characteristics, and the story is weakened by confusing timelines and repetitive elements. The resolution relies upon successes that come too easily and do not feel earned. Major characters are cued white.
A promising premise that’s lacking in spice. (Romance. 12-16)Pub Date: Aug. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781339030753
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
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