June 18, 2024 by Algonquin Young Readers
ARC provided by the publisher at NCTE
Reese's father Sam has been struggling with opiod addiction ever since being injured on his job as an electrician. His mother Amanda works at a Kwik Stop, and lately his father has been better. The three have gone roller skating and on other outings, and it's starting to feel like life is looking up. However, Reese comes home one day to find his father passed out in the hallway, barely breathing. He calls 911 and his mother, and his father makes it to the hospital in time, but almost dies. When he is released, Amanda demands that Sam go into rehab, and when he won't, she tells him that she and Reese are moving out. She's met a woman at church, Mrs. Smith, who has a trailer on her farm, and she and Reese move there. Mrs. Smith and her husband are caring for their grandchildren, Meg and Charlie, after their parents were both killed in an auto accident. Charlie is a child with Down syndrome who loves cats, and Meg, while she wants to be supportive of Reese, is struggling with her own issues. It's summer, so there's plenty to do around the farm, but Reese just wants to go back to his father and the family's apartment. He sends his father links to different rehab facilities, and things are looking better. After not quite two weeks, Amanda is thinking about returning, but Mrs. Smith cautions her to give it more time. Sam starts big preparations for Reece's thirteenth birthday, and things seem to be looking up. Will things end well, or will Reese have more to contend with?
Strengths: I don't want to spoil the ending, but opiod addiction is not a simple matter, so there are some more challenges! This was a painfully realistic look at how opioid addiction effects families, and especially children. Reese's emotions are realistic, and he wants to believe in his father. I loved that the mother was doing well at her job despite the struggles she faced in her personal life. Mrs. and Mr. Smith were great characters who had their own struggles but were still willing to help out.
Weaknesses: This was a little on the long side for middle grade. There were a lot of details that didn't forward the plot that could have been removed or shortened, like the dinner at the Indian restaurant or some of the interactions with the cats.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want to explore what it is like to live with a parent who is struggling with addiction and found books like Dee's Violets are Blue or Bowling's Across the Desert interesting.
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