Gr 8 Up—Teenagers Evan and Lucy have been best friends since they were small, despite Lucy moving with her mother to Georgia after her parents' divorce. During winter breaks, she returns to her father in New England for the holidays and the two friends reconnect. But senior year, the pretty long-brown-haired girl Evan always knew appears with short, black hair; a nose stud; a cigarette habit; and an attitude that matches her dark look. "New Lucy" eventually gives way to "Old Lucy" in the midst of Evan's friendship, nurturing family, and close pals, but New Lucy lingers. It takes Evan falling for her for Lucy to reveal her problematic home life in Georgia, her bad-news boyfriend with whom she has a sexual relationship, and her experimentation with drinking and drugs. Evan has his own troubles, including pressure from his father to excel, and when he tries to talk things out, Lucy leaves on bitter terms. Though the ending omits if or how Lucy ever gets help, it seems promising. Black-and-white drawings and Evan's fantasy comic, "Aelysthia," complement the insightful third-person, character-driven story. Like Emond's popular Happyface (Little, Brown, 2010), this tale of insecurity, angst, and shaky romance is one to which teens can easily relate.—Diane P. Tuccillo, Poudre River Public Library District, Fort Collins, CO
Lucy and Evan are childhood friends. Ever since Lucy's parents' divorce, the teens have only seen each other for winter vacation. When Lucy arrives transformed one year, Evan is left trying to make sense of their relationship. Told through both characters' perspectives, and bolstered by some comics and illustrations, the story can be overly angst-y but also sweet and funny.
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