Every Other Weekend

Gr 7 Up–Adam’s parents have separated due to grief over the death of their oldest son. Jolene is being used as a pawn in her parent’s divorce. On the surface, this is the story of a friendship and budding romance between Adam and Jolene, who spend every other weekend at their dads’ apartments. However, in addition to the tender love story, the book takes on a number of important issues for young adults including divorce, loss, grief, family dynamics, relationship control, and sexual assault. The two main characters are well developed and teen readers will easily empathize with their emotions, their family conflicts, and the events that unfold in their lives. The narrative perspective shifts with each chapter, alternating between Adam and Jolene, providing readers with the inner thoughts of each character both when they are together on the weekend, and during the weeks apart. The author also uses texting conversation threads as the communication vehicle in between their visits, a technique that will resonate with teens.