Anywhere but Here by Tanya Kyi - OPTIONAL

Kyi, Tanya Lloyd Anywhere but Here, 320 pgs. Simon & Schuster, 2013. $9.99. Language: R (44 swears, 11 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG-13. 

After the loss of his mother to cancer, Cole’s goal during his senior year is to find a way out of his hometown. Webster is a small town that Cole feels traps its citizens in an inescapable “web”. Cole tries to break all ties that might bind him to his hometown, including breaking up with his long-term girlfriend. He struggles with complicated issues such as drinking, drugs, teenage sex, as well as a depressed and drunk father. Some of Cole’s actions, however, prove to have consequences that may keep him in Webster. 

This book dealt with a lot of real-world, mature issues and showed teenagers living with an unrealistic amount of freedom. The writing is very fluid, descriptive, and compelling. While Cole’s dilemma pulls the reader in emotionally, the lack of rules in Coles world and lack of consequences is somewhat disappointing. 

HS-OPTIONAL. SBenson