February 1, 2017
Gr 10 Up-In Nesbitt's debut novel, readers come face-to-face with Declan, a teen living in Quebec and coping with major family issues. Told through Declan's point of view, the narrative is somewhat slow-paced until the reason behind Declan's parents' split is revealed: his father cheated with another man. With his family life further challenged by his older brother Seamus's bullying attitude toward him, Declan is at a breaking point, receiving so many detentions at school that he is forced to undergo tutoring. He's paired with Leah, who turns out not to be the "Little Miss Perfect" he assumed she was all along. Writing in mature language, Nesbitt has crafted a sensitive portrait of a teen's uncertain relationship with a gay parent, as well as a family dealing with the aftermath of an affair. As Declan spends time with Leah and her grandmother, Bubby, a Holocaust survivor, his perspective changes a bit, allowing him to give his father another chance.
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.