In this necessary tale grappling with some of the prickly parts of life—mental health, loss, friendship—Spears proves once again that she's a master, not just of the teenage voice, but also of carefully crafting stories with both heart and teeth. Stories that bond themselves to readers and live with them—in them—far after the last page.” —Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of Stamped and Long Way Down
Praise for Kat Spears:
“A rare study of growing pains that gives equal weight to humor and hardship.” - Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) on Breakaway
“A painfully honest and powerful depiction of the changing nature of friendships in the face of hardship and an exploration of what it means 'to be human and alive.'” - Booklist (Starred Review) on Breakaway
"Spears showcases a talent for creating believably flawed characters seeking connection in the aftermath of tragedy." - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) on Breakaway
“This sad yet hopeful romance will appeal to readers of Steven Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why.” - School Library Journal on Breakaway
“Sharp dialogue, edgy humor, and an unlikely hero make this page-turner a winner.” - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) on Sway
“A compelling debut told with swagger and real depth.” - Kirkus (Starred Review) on Sway
“Raw, honest…A gritty take on the male high school experience.” —Booklist on Sway
“A page turner about high school's victims and villains — and about layers of callousness that spring from true grief. ” —Meg Medina, Pura Belpre award-winning author of Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass on Sway
04/01/2021
Gr 9 Up—Dane Riley likes to go deep. Whether he's contemplating the meaning of the universe or analyzing the way his mother dresses, he can't seem to get outside of his head. Surviving a suicide attempt lands him in an elite boarding school, where his parents feel that the mandatory involvement will help him engage with others. But when he returns home after his junior year, Dane is shocked to find that his father is a shell of the man he had been, a result of his secret battle with cancer. A few months later he is gone, and Dane and his mom are left to pick up the pieces of their lives. As Dane struggles with his anger and grief, he must deal with his mother's relationship with his dad's best friend, his obsession with Ophelia, the dynamic next-door neighbor, and his lapse into increasingly violent outbursts. Though he feels like his private texts to his father's old cell number are the only bits of connection he has, he begins to see that there are multiple ways to face grief and anxiety. Spears tackles the difficult subjects of depression and grief in a way that is accessible to teens. Dane is white, Ophelia is Black and white, and other characters are of various backgrounds, and the text includes thoughtful talking points about race and ethnicity. Though the narrative is heavier on dialogue and introspection than plot, its witty lines and authentic emotional exchanges are sure to appeal to anyone going through a difficult time. VERDICT A moving, realistic portrayal of mental illness and grief. Recommended for high school libraries.—Karin Greenberg, Manhasset H.S., NY
2021-04-14
In this contemporary twist on Hamlet, 17-year-old Dane Riley struggles with depression after his father’s death.
After seeing a coyote wandering in his upscale suburb of McLean, Virginia, Dane starts to imagine it’s the reincarnation of his father, who died from cancer less than a year ago. He occasionally still texts his dad—and receives kind messages back from whomever now has that phone number. He’s angry and resentful of his mother for moving on too quickly and dating his father’s best friend and business partner, Chuck. An unmotivated student who’s not planning on going to college, Dane ponders what there is to live for. He lacks support from his mother but has positive influences in his life in the form of his therapist and one of his teachers. A crush on Ophelia, the girl next door, is one of the only things that fuels him, but she’s warned him that any relationship she enters will have a pre-planned end date so no one can get hurt. Dane’s emotional ups and downs are conveyed realistically and present a moving depiction of grief and mental health. While the book starts off slowly and the plot never quite comes together, the ultimately hopeful ending may satisfy readers. Dane is presumed White; Ophelia has a Black dad and a White mom, and there is diversity among secondary characters.
A modern tale of an existential crisis that will resonate with many teens. (Fiction. 14-18)
