This book was on one of those "Books You Must Read Over the Summer" lists that show up all over social media. I saw it on sale, and I decided it would be worth a read. I put this in the same category as John Greene's novels. It focuses on the tragedies and triumphs of high school life while maintaining a bit of a dry, sarcastic narrative perspective.
The main character, a guy entering his senior year, was in an accident over the summer that ultimately led to the end of his promising tennis career and his role as the "golden boy" of his class. Instead, he is starting his senior year not knowing where he fits in the social hierarchy that is high school.
He is forced to find a new group of friends and a new place in the world. Along the way comes a girl who has transferred from another school who is surrounded in mystery and intrigue which ultimately draws them together. This is definitely not a love story with a happy ending, but then again, most realistic stories about high school relationships are not. It is a great story about finding an identity separate from the identity that we "think" other people believe we should have. Being yourself, especially in a trying time like high school, takes immense courage and sense of self.
I will say that there are some implied sexual scenarios that may not be appropriate for all students, so PLEASE TALK TO YOUR PARENTS BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK. It is not at all graphic, and very minimal, but still worthy of note before you pick it up.
This is a quick read. It was a bit slow to start, but I finished it in two days, because I wanted to see if I was right about the ending (I was). Not necessarily the most original book, but it is certainly relatable for high school readers.
The main character, a guy entering his senior year, was in an accident over the summer that ultimately led to the end of his promising tennis career and his role as the "golden boy" of his class. Instead, he is starting his senior year not knowing where he fits in the social hierarchy that is high school.
He is forced to find a new group of friends and a new place in the world. Along the way comes a girl who has transferred from another school who is surrounded in mystery and intrigue which ultimately draws them together. This is definitely not a love story with a happy ending, but then again, most realistic stories about high school relationships are not. It is a great story about finding an identity separate from the identity that we "think" other people believe we should have. Being yourself, especially in a trying time like high school, takes immense courage and sense of self.
I will say that there are some implied sexual scenarios that may not be appropriate for all students, so PLEASE TALK TO YOUR PARENTS BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK. It is not at all graphic, and very minimal, but still worthy of note before you pick it up.
This is a quick read. It was a bit slow to start, but I finished it in two days, because I wanted to see if I was right about the ending (I was). Not necessarily the most original book, but it is certainly relatable for high school readers.