Delicate

Gr 9 Up—Life is messy and complex for Ivy and Lucan. In this novel told in their alternating points of view, readers follow Ivy, a college-bound activist, as her relationship with her perfect boyfriend, Jeremy, goes sour; meanwhile, Lucan is dealing with his mother's dating life and also involved in his closest friend's relationship drama. When Jeremy breaks up with Ivy and Lucan can no longer ignore the mental and emotional problems happening around him, events transpire that force Ivy and Lucan to work through these problems. Their fateful meeting at a family party creates a bond that goes deeper than friendship. Martin fills this novel with relevant, delicate issues common among teens today. Each character is presented as a well-rounded human, reflecting the good, bad, and ugly found in human nature. This fascinating work explores dating violence and parental issues, while also accurately addressing teen sex lives in a way that is realistic and doesn't come across as preachy. Readers will connect with the characters through this refreshing look at contemporary issues.