Kill Me Now

Gr 9 Up—The summer before he begins high school, Miles Lover struggles with his parents' divorce, his relationship with twin sisters, crushes, and his less-than-enviable reputation. His parents' old house has not yet been sold and it becomes a place for Miles to escape. A friendly older neighbor at his mother's condo befriends Miles and gives him advice that leads him to rethink who his true friends are. Written in the form of a journal, this novel is highly realistic and will be relatable for many teens. Reed's highly descriptive writing style fully immerses readers in the often gross yet sometimes profound perspective of a 14-year-old boy. While the book certainly does not seem to advocate drug abuse, some readers may be frustrated that Miles's addiction struggles (as well as his mother's) are not adequately addressed within the story. There are several loose ends left dangling and Miles has a lot of growing left to do. Still, this is part of what makes this book unflinchingly realistic. Readers who like fast-paced, plot-driven novels with neat endings should look elsewhere, but those who crave a believable story will not be disappointed.