cover image After Isaac

After Isaac

Avra Wing. Olinville Press, $8.99 paper (224p) ISBN 978-0-615-66946-5

A year after the death of his younger brother, Isaac, 14-year-old Aaron and his family are still in pain. Between therapy, reconnecting with estranged friends, and getting to know a girl named Emma, Aaron is slowly adjusting to life without Isaac, but the announcement that his parents plan to adopt a baby from China sends him into a tailspin. A chance meeting with Kim, a homeless teenager, offers Aaron a chance to reach out, but his attempts may not turn out as planned when Kim opens his eyes to a darker side of life. Wing (Angie, I Says) delivers an emotionally complex story of life, love, grief, and recovery as Aaron gradually accepts the changes in his family. The author also skillfully tackles topics of foreign adoptions and racism, as Aaron faces the idea and ramifications of having a Chinese sister. Though at times overwrought, the narrative generally stays on track as Wing delves into complicated material. If anything, the page count may be a little slim for the multiple themes and threads running through this story. Ages 12%E2%80%93up.