Small Damages by Beth Kephart - ADVISABLE

Kephart, Beth  Small Damages, 288 pgs.  Philomel Books, 2012.  $17.99 

Content:  Language: PG (4 swears; 3 God); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG

MS-OPTIONAL. HS-ADVISABLE

Kenzie is eighteen years old and pregnant with her best friend/boyfriend’s baby.  She thinks of herself as a “half-orphan” since her father died less than a year ago and she doesn’t get along with her mother, who has sent her to Spain because she doesn’t want anyone to know that Kenzie is pregnant.  In Spain, Kenzie is living with friends of her baby’s soon-to-be parents.  As Kenzie adjusts to the Spanish culture and reflects on her unhappiness with her boyfriend and her situation, she meets the parents who want her baby and tries to picture her baby’s life.  As Kenzie is waiting to deliver her baby she develops a strong relationship with the cook, Estela, and uncovers a sad secret from Estela’s life.  She also befriends, Esteban, an orphan who has been raised by Estela.  Esteban is Kenzie’s same age and his calm nature helps her to be able to figure herself out.  

This story is beautifully written and the setting almost becomes one of the characters.  The emotions of being a pregnant teenager are expressed in a realistic way.  I think this would be a great book for a high school, but would leave it as optional for middle school because the character is older and probably not as relatable to middle school age kids.  Great book on the topic of teenage pregnancy and consequences to our actions.  

  Reviewer, C. Peterson.