Seth McCoy has an abundance of problems: a mother who isn't at all a mother or authority figure, a brother full of anger, bandmembers who argue all the time, and a ton of guilt and self-hatred for letting his best friend die last summer. Not only that, he's mad at childhood friend, Kendall, and he's trying to win the favor of Rosetta, a new girl who has troubles of her own.
It's amazing how close the edge can be in a freefall. Seth's brother Jared feels betrayed when Seth quits the band in favor of school. Seth finally decides to straighten up and fly right, returning to school and taking extra classes in order to graduate on time. He confronts his own stage fright and joins a new band. Rosetta and Kendall help him see that it was not his fault that Isaac died. Able to grieve and move on, Seth is a victor.
A coming of age novel for the 21st century. Dirty, gripping, and raw, but finally equally uplifting and soaring. Mindi Scott scores with this novel. Highly recommended grades 9-12. Not for middle school readers: sex, violence, drugs, alcohol, parties, and language
Recommended by Pamela Thompson, Librarian.
Visit her YA blog at https://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/
