The Evolving Truth of Ever-Stronger Will

MacGregor (The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester) employs an edgy-feeling second-person POV and omniscient narration to deliver a bittersweet portrait of an agender teen finding true family following parental abuse. Olive-skinned Will is almost 18 when their mother, who dealt drugs to make ends meet, dies of a heart attack in front of them. Having previously experienced foster care, Will is desperate not to reenter the system and strives to keep their mother’s death a secret. Will starts their senior year with more peace and freedom than they have ever experienced, but things grow perilous when Will’s mother’s past comes back to jeopardize Will’s newfound independence. After they discover a hidden stack of letters addressed to them from former foster mother Raz—the only adult they have ever truly felt loved by—they enlist their best friends’ help in finding Raz, who Will believes can keep them safe. During their search, they encounter Julian, a genderqueer emancipated teen who understands Will in a way no one ever has. Flowery and overly expository prose sometimes leads to choppy storytelling, but MacGregor sensitively renders Will’s harrowing circumstances, culminating in an emotionally satisfying resolution. Ages 12–up. Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary. (Oct.)