NOTE: This is a YA REVIEW. Mature content.
I read this book when it first came out, but did not review it right away because my children were too young for it, and even now, it's so powerful, my oldest (17) started and had to put it down. It shines a spotlight on abuse and neglect in a way that you can't turn from, you can't pretend it is anything but what it is, and it is heart-breaking.
Adam's a senior, and his family took care of a boy from foster care for about a year -- Julian -- after he lost both his parents. Then an Uncle stepped forward and claimed Julian. Or at least, that's how Adam remembers it.
Julian remembers it much differently.
The boys lost touch until Julian starts high school, as a freshman, and Adam's asked to track him down and figure out why he's skipping appointments with the school psychologist.
I won't reveal the ending, just know, Julian is in a terrible position. He feels abandoned by Adam and his family, and won't reveal what's happening to him at home, at the hands of his Uncle. It takes Adam to figure it out and rush to Julian's rescue, and even when he finally does, it's almost too late.
As a parent, this was heart-breaking to read. The domestic violence is graphic, but for all the right reasons. It's important to remember that our boys can be hurt and broken, too, but we all can heal.
