January 23, 2024 by Balzer + Bray
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Isaiah "Ice" Abernathy and his older brother Seth have always been exceptionally close. As they start 8th grade and 12th grade, respectively, Ice feels that he is not getting to spend as much time with his older brother, and knows that he will miss him. Seth runs cross country, and is hoping to get a good scholarship at Texas A and M. He's even gotten a job at a local law firm to earn some money. Ice works a lot on the family farm, and is thrilled that his parents are finally able to arrange transportation so that he can be part of the school newspaper. He and Zurie Mitchell are the two photographers, and the two develop a supportive friendship. The family attends church every Sunday, and consider it a "family day"; the boys refer to having to stay home together as "Jesus jail". When Ice finds out that Seth has been accepted to start college in January, but his brother hasn't told him, he's very angry, especially since the two haven't been able to spend time together. They have a big fight. All too soon, there's really bad news: Seth's truck has been hit by a semi driven by an employee of Bayou Meat Processing, the company for which his father works as a supervisor. Seth is badly hurt. His brain is swelling, and he is put into a medically induced coma. When he eventually wakes up, he can't move or speak. The family is devastated, and when the father is laid off from his job, things look even more grim. Seth makes some progress, and is eventually sent home, but his care is enormous. The family sues the company, and try to find a way to go forward. Ice has a great idea to help his brother. He'll train to run, and take Seth along with him in a specially designed running stroller. His parents say no, because they think it's too dangerous, but Ice forges their signatures and even steals his father's truck to get to the race. His father follows him, and knows how important the race is. Will the family be able to find some stability, and will Seth ever improve?
Strengths: I loved all of the details of the family's life on their farm, their church home, and the boys' school. They laugh together, make spaghetti dinners, and support each other's endeavors. Of course, realy life isn't that rosy, and Seth's accident is horrifying. I liked that Ice's friend Zurie supported him, and that Seth's best friend still comes to visit and helps Ice out the way that Seth would have. The tone is amazingly upbeat; I've read many similar books about sibling trauma that are soggily sad. The Abernathy's are able to muster a lot of resilience that is good to see.
Weaknesses: I was enjoying all of the happiness and good things about the Abernathy family, and was sort of hoping that the whole book would be as joyous as the beginning. I know life isn't that way, but things have been so grim lately, that a completely joyous book would not hurt my feelings.
What I really think: This started out reminding me of Magoon's The Season of Styx Malone, but took a rather sad turn that was based on something that happened to one of Allen's sons. It was upbeat, however, and ended a bit like Van Draanen's The Running Dream. The cover is great, so I will definitely purchase it.
Weaknesses: I was enjoying all of the happiness and good things about the Abernathy family, and was sort of hoping that the whole book would be as joyous as the beginning. I know life isn't that way, but things have been so grim lately, that a completely joyous book would not hurt my feelings.
What I really think: This started out reminding me of Magoon's The Season of Styx Malone, but took a rather sad turn that was based on something that happened to one of Allen's sons. It was upbeat, however, and ended a bit like Van Draanen's The Running Dream. The cover is great, so I will definitely purchase it.
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