mer's blog

When a star football player is killed in a tragic car accident, his small farming town is rocked with grief. Straight-laced, super-focused Ben gets to know the player’s younger brother Jimmy while helping out on the family’s farm. Ben feels very protective and brotherly toward Jimmy and the two really hit it off. Jimmy shares his dream of becoming a professional photographer with Ben—a pursuit Jimmy’s father forbids—and confesses to taking pictures of people when they are completely unaware their photograph is being taken. When the winners of a local photography competition are announced, Ben discovers that he was one of the subjects of Jimmy’s candid shots. The innocent photo has a sensual quality to it, sparking rumors about the relationship between the two boys. Angry and confused, a wedge drives the two apart. Then the unthinkable happens and Ben does nothing to prevent it. Consumed with guilt and plagued with questions, Ben struggles to work through his role in these events.

This compelling, psychological thriller has no easy answers to offer. Bick challenges readers with ambiguity, touching on subjects of sexuality, rumor spreading and personal responsibility. This is a great choice for realistic fiction fans who enjoy edgy, thought-provoking books.

Also try:

Gentlemen by Michael Northrop
Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Silent to the Bone by E.L. Konigsburg

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