This book packs in so many different important and heavy topics, from the broken juvenile justice system, to trauma and grief, to teen drug and alcohol abuse as well as the hardships of social and peer pressure. There is sexism, racism, and classism involved, as well as representation for BIPOC and lgbtq.
Overall though, this book tells the story of a family that's trying to survive a traumatic event. We get to see the different ways they try to deal with grief and heal together as a family. There is a slight dystopian aspect to it in the form of the "Trials" but it's mainly realistic and believable and not far off from the current-day injustices of our justice system.
It was a little long-winded at first, and it took me a while to really get into the book, but about halfway in I was very invested and wanted to know what would happen to the Chen-Samuels's family. I liked that there were two different POVs and that the chapters were short, it made it feel more fast-paced and held my interest. The book felt a little long, but I'm really glad to have read it and recommend it to both young adults and adults.
Overall though, this book tells the story of a family that's trying to survive a traumatic event. We get to see the different ways they try to deal with grief and heal together as a family. There is a slight dystopian aspect to it in the form of the "Trials" but it's mainly realistic and believable and not far off from the current-day injustices of our justice system.
It was a little long-winded at first, and it took me a while to really get into the book, but about halfway in I was very invested and wanted to know what would happen to the Chen-Samuels's family. I liked that there were two different POVs and that the chapters were short, it made it feel more fast-paced and held my interest. The book felt a little long, but I'm really glad to have read it and recommend it to both young adults and adults.