Cut Both Ways

Gr 10 Up—About to embark on his senior year, Will lives a divided life. He is split between his mother's suburban wealth and his father's growing instability, between his first girlfriend and a growing sexual relationship with his gay best friend. With her third novel, Mesrobion once again employs a fearless and honest tone, broaching the issues of sex and relationships with frank and sometimes crass language that rings true to the young male narrator. Her portrayal of bisexuality (though Will never specifically identifies with that word) is thoughtful, and realistic. The secondary characters are well developed, all the way down to Will's oft-absent stepfather. Despite several dramatic events, the book never feels sensationalized, and the respect with which Mesrobian speaks to her teen audience adds weight and validity.