The Waiting Tree

Things aren’t easy for 18-year-old Simon Peters. Not only does his parents’ death force him to drop out of school to work and care for Jude, his mute twin brother, but Stephen, the boy he loves, has been sent away to be straightened out after they were caught in the act. Now Simon’s older brother Paul and most people in their church seem to despise him. Looking after Jude—who’s childlike in some ways, but hears, signs, and understands more than people realize—isn’t a burden, but the thought of spending his life in a depressed Louisiana town that doesn’t accept him is more than Simon can bear. Could he and Stephen be together? Should he forget Stephen and try to date Tina, his best friend? Is there a way out? It doesn’t seem like it, but eventually, thanks to Jude’s sacrifice, matters resolve in a way that’s both too good to be true and overly reliant on Jude. This, combined with writing that tends to over explain, makes Moynihan’s debut feel like a well-intentioned effort that doesn’t quite come together. Ages 14–up. (May)