250 Hours

Gr 7 Up—A young adult novel of an unlikely friendship rising from the ashes of life's numerous adversities. Sara Jean and Jess appear to be as different as two teens can be. Sara Jean escapes the hardships of her life caring for her obese grandmother by sneaking time to write. Jess has a complicated past, filled with a history of pyromania. When the story begins, Jess is sentenced to serve 250 hours of community service for his latest crime. He is sent to clean the garage belonging to Sara Jean's grandmother. Initially, both think the task involves a lot of garbage, but the contents of the garage may not be trash at all. And the teens might not be that different after all. Nelson's novel captures the various hardships of growing up and the experiences associated with being thrust into a life filled with mature responsibilities. The protagonists' desire for escape unites them. The chapters alternate between Sara Jean's first-person perspective and Jess's story, written in third person. Nelson deepens the dimensions of the characters through this unique approach. This work will appeal to those who have struggled with family issues such as parental abandonment and loved ones suffering from illnesses.