Finding Mr. Brightside
Jay Clark. Holt/Ottaviano, $16.99 (288p) ISBN 978-0-8050-9257-8
High school seniors and neighbors Abram Morgan and Juliette Flynn have each been hiding in their own ways since his father and her mother died in a car accident while having a secret affair. Abram takes too much Paxil, which has caused him to be lethargic, drop tennis, overeat, and avoid thinking about college. Juliette is hooked on Adderall, runs compulsively, and barely eats. One night in a CVS, they stop avoiding one another and are surprised by their easy chemistry. Bonding over late-night TV marathons and Taco Bell runs, they take a trip to Abram’s beach house, but their insecurities and disappointment in their parents (including the ones who are still alive) keep their romance slow-burning. Clark (The Edumacation of Jay Baker) crafts a believably tentative relationship between these two damaged teens, their sharp-edged humor masking the pain that they can’t quite shake. Supporting characters don’t make much of a showing or impact—Baker keeps the focus on Abram and Juliette as they prove to be just what the other needed. Ages 14–up. Agent: Alex Glass, Trident Media Group. (Mar.)
Details
Reviewed on: 01/12/2015
Genre: Children's
Compact Disc - 978-1-5012-0963-5
Compact Disc - 978-1-5012-0961-1
Compact Disc - 978-1-5436-1667-5
MP3 CD - 978-1-5012-0962-8
MP3 CD - 978-1-5436-1668-2
Open Ebook - 224 pages - 978-0-8050-9638-5
Paperback - 224 pages - 978-1-250-07365-5
Pre-Recorded Audio Player - 978-1-5012-5089-7