Zenn Diagram

Gr 7 Up—Eva Walker is content to be a self-described math nerd, but she doesn't like being considered a germaphobe by her classmates. It's true that she shies away from touching other people, but they don't know the truth: when Eva touches others, she is immediately able to get a sense of their innermost thoughts and feelings. Overwhelmed by this onslaught of unsolicited knowledge, she turns inward, focusing on her beloved math formulas, her three-year-old quadruplet siblings, and her best friend, Charlotte, who is also lingering on the social fringes. But Eva's life turns upside down after she begins tutoring new student Zenn. The dark maelstrom of emotions that Eva receives when she accidentally touches his jacket are complicated by her immediate attraction to Zenn's rebellious, artistic nature. Brant deftly navigates changing friendships and parental bonds with a taciturn, angst-ridden teen protagonist who is also loving and thoughtful—a refreshing yet authentic balance. With the added boost of a surprising (but well-resolved) plot twist and a hint of the paranormal grafted onto a main trunk of realistic YA fiction, this sophisticated debut depicts teen issues with nuance and aplomb. Eva and Zenn's sexual relationship is referenced, but with a light, not-too-graphic touch.