Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Hazard by Frances O’Roark Dowell - ESSENTIAL

Hazard by Frances O’Roark Dowell
, 154 pages. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster), 2022. $18

Language: PG (9 swears); Mature Content PG; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Hazard is in junior high and also in counseling with a psychologist. If he doesn’t complete his sessions, he can’t return to playing football, which he is passionate about. Hazard is pretty ticked about his coach requiring counseling, but it turns out there are things Hazard needs to address.

Taking on serious themes of the psychological, physical, and emotional effects of war on soldiers and their families, this is a must read. The story is told in texts and writing assignments given to Hazard from his psychologist. It is well researched, short and powerful. The story rings true and Hazard’s story sheds light on moral injury. This is a timely story that was hard to put down.

Michelle in the Middle 

No comments: