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| Image: Macmillan |
Teen Tuesday features Birthday: a novel by Meredith Russo. This unique dual narrative is told episodically, yearly in fact, on the birthday that both Eric and Morgan share. They were born in the same hospital on the same day and when a snowstorm kept the two families in hospital longer than expected, the parents bonded and became friends. Eric and Morgan became best friends. But dynamics are shifting by their thirteenth birthday. Morgan's mother died the previous year. She really was the glue that held the parents together and Morgan's dad's grief is fraying the edges of what is left. Morgan has a secret that he wants to tell Eric but can't. Morgan's not even sure what there is to tell. At thirteen, Morgan just doesn't have the words, and so, flounders in grief and confusion and doesn't always make the safest of choices. This powerful read is for the maturest of teen readers - readers with open hearts, open minds and much compassion for those who do not fit society's neat little boxes.
I read this book with my ears and with my heart in my throat for much of it. I absolutely ached for Morgan and was terrified for her. The narration by new-to-me narrator, Dana Aliya Levinson was engaging, though there were times when I couldn't tell whether it was Morgan or Eric speaking.
As the story wound to it's conclusion, I was confused to see that there was still over forty minutes left on the recording and wondered where the story could possibly go. Turns out, there was an interesting and informative interview - conversation, really between the narrator and the author. Certainly not to be missed.
Birthday: a novel belongs in every teen collection.
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