What a powerful story of a guy trying to figure out who he is and what his values are, while his parents are falling apart, and the girl of his dreams is tantalizingly close, yet caught in her own struggle and weakness. Senior in high school, Tyler Miller, has a probation officer because of a little spray-painting incident at school. That reputation makes him the prime suspect when revealing photos of Bethany Millbury go up on the web. Meanwhile at home, Tyler’s father is drowning in his job, and Tyler’s mother is drinking her way to oblivion. They all look normal from the outside, but the inside is cold, lonely and desperate.
272 pages
978-0142411841 Ages 14 and up
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
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High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the kind of guy who faded into the background. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school, and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it, he stands out like you wouldn't believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just so happens to be his father's boss's daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy, and Tyler's secret crush. And that sets off a string of events and changes that have Tyler questioning his place in school, in his family, and in the world.---from the publisher
