Before We Go

Gr 7–10—As Emily leaves her grandmother's hospital room on New Year's Eve, she has no idea what's in store before the clock strikes midnight. She meets Alex in the elevator and decides to go with him to meet his sister. The siblings convince Emily to spend the night with them, and together they begin an adventure that takes them all over Victoria, British Columbia. Unknown to Emily, Alex and Lucy have a few secrets they intend to share before the night is out. The first is easier to guess-Alex escaped the hospital and is dying from leukemia. The second is even more unsettling and will change Emily's life forever. While it's hard to believe that Emily doesn't catch on to Alex's sickness until halfway through the book, this is one of the few implausible events. The pacing of the story and plot are done well, with the occasional flashback breaking the rhythm. There's some swearing and underage drinking, but nothing too heavy. This book may need to be booktalked to garner attention.Natalie Struecker, Rock Island Public Library, IL