The Art of UsAuthor: Julie Wright
Genres: Young Adult Realistic/Issues
Pages: 262
Published: November 5, 2024
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Source: Author/Publisher
Falling in love is complicated when you’re both keeping secrets.
On the surface, everything seems perfect for high school senior Ireland Raine. She’s intelligent and artistically talented, and her natural beauty and quiet charm are enviable. However, Ireland harbors a secret she’ll guard at any cost—she’s homeless.
When her crush, Kal Ellis, invites her on a date, she seizes the opportunity. Ireland has never had a boyfriend before, and Kal is not just a guitarist for the local band, he’s also an artist. Their connection is instantaneous, and he suggests they collaborate on the school mural. Working and laughing alongside Kal, Ireland can momentarily forget her problems.
However, when someone exposes her secret, Ireland ends up in a foster home alongside her most despised adversary, Mara Washington. To make matters worse, Ireland discovers it was Kal who revealed her secret.
Furious, Ireland must decide if she has the strength to forgive the boy who stole her heart or if she is better off alone.
Rating: Moderate. Mild kissing. Mild profanity. Mild to moderate violence. Includes themes of homelessness, peer pressure, sexual assault.
Realistic Teen Issues Handled with Compassion and Respect
Julie Wright has a real talent for capturing the teenage voice. The focus is on Ireland, Cal, and Mara—seniors in high school finding their way through a complex world while trying to keep their secrets hidden. The story addresses abandonment, homelessness, betrayal, violence, abuse, perfectionism, and several other issues that teens have to deal with.
What did I think?
I loved this book. It hit all the feels and twisted my heart in so many ways. I liked the resolution, complete with the characters struggling to decide how to act/react and what to do in difficult circumstances. As an adult, I was thought-shouting at the characters—”NO!! Don’t do it! Bad things will happen.” And some bad things did happen. But Wright treated the characters and their issues with compassion and respect.
There is some violence, implied violence, but it’s not detailed. Sometimes the kids make scary choices. I suggest parents read the book and discuss it with their teen.
I give this book 5 STARS. Recommended for for teens 14+.
[P.S. It reminded me a little of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but without the graphic details and language. That was one I pre-read and then read again with my girls. It provided lots of discussion which I think was helpful.]
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