Here So Far Away

Gr 9 Up—It's the beginning of George's senior year of high school and things are getting complicated. George's dad's health is in trouble; complications from diabetes have lead to his leg being amputated, and he isn't healing, physically or psychologically, like he should be. His inability to work adds financial stress on the family, which might change George's college plans. And to top it all off, George has a falling out with her best friend. But then she meets Francis and kisses him, and they start to fall in love. The problem is that Francis is 29 years old and the town's new constable. George is 17, and her dad used to be on the police force. The impropriety of George and Francis's relationship will both frustrate and exhilarate teens. The narrative unfolds as the two try to live normal lives while stealing time away for one another. When tragedy strikes, George must put the pieces of her life back together while grieving a broken heart in secret. Quiet and subdued, with gentle doses of humor, Francis and George's love story has emotional weight. The author explores the problematic love affair with nuance.