Language: R (23 Swears 2 'f'); Mature Content: R (On-Page sexual encounters - Drug use); Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
16yo Audre lived in Trinadad until her mother caught her with her girlfriend and sent her to live with her dad in Minnesota. Broken hearted and in a pretty strange place, Audre is trying to make the best of a terrible situation - the culture is different, the weather is different, and while her dad is kind, it's just not home - but her ultra religious mother doesn't want her around anymore. 16 yo Mabel also lives in Minneapolis, her dad and Audre's dad are best friends, and the girls are immediate fast friends, with Mabel helping Audre navigate school, friends, life in the states . . . soon friendship turns to something more serious - but then Mabel is diagnosed with a terrible illness - suddenly the tables are turned, and it's Audre's turn to care for Mabel.
A very emotional read, alternating perspectives from Audre to Mabel, it's both a beautiful story and a heartbreaking one. So much tragedy in their lives, so many problems. This book is not only about Queer identity, but also terminal illness, and family traditions. I loved how Petrus facilitated the language of the girls - I could hear each girl's individual voice. So well written - a debut novel even - I look forward to seeing what she writes next. Content warning: some explicit intimacy, teenage drug use, homophobia, talk of suicide.
Lisa Librarian
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