All We Once Had

Gr 10 Up–Teens Piper and Henry share dual narrator roles in this realistic fiction tale that covers the summer between their junior and senior years of high school. Since the death of her parents, Piper lives with a ­sister she does not get along with in the small ­Florida town of Sugar Bay and tries to enjoy a carefree life full of adventure. Henry, who mainly lives with his mom in Washington state, ­decides to spend the summer getting to know his father, who also lives in Sugar Bay. Henry leads his life focused on the tasks that will enable him to be accepted to West Point; he’s conscientious, studious, and does not party. Henry and Piper enjoy spending time with each other and bond over their frustrations with those in charge of their lives. Piper has made some reckless choices over the past few years that have led to a rupture in the relationship with her best friend. She was also the victim of an attempted sexual assault. Henry and his former girlfriend had a tumultuous relationship, which ended after a pregnancy and complications from an abortion. Piper and Henry both face adversity as they try to navigate the consequences of their choices. To try and ensure tranquility in their respective homes, the teens decide to set up Piper’s aunt, Tati, and Henry’s dad Davis. Readers of Upperman’s (Everything I Promised You) latest will root for Henry and Piper—as well as Tati and Davis—to stop making ­self-destructive choices and continue the path of building long-term relationships. Characters cue white.