Nastya Kashnikov was a piano prodigy until a violent attack destroyed her hand and her identity. Now, she hides behind heavy makeup and silence, moving to a new high school to escape her past. She meets Josh Bennett, a loner who has lost his entire family to illness and accidents. Josh spends his time in a garage building furniture, existing in a self-imposed isolation. Their relationship develops through shared quietness and woodworking as they both grapple with physical scars and the desire to disappear from a world that expects them to heal.
This book is for readers of realistic young adult fiction who prefer character-driven narratives over fast-paced plots. People read it to see how trauma affects personal choices and how two people can support each other without demanding a return to normalcy. The reader walks away with a specific perspective on the difference between surviving a tragedy and regaining a sense of self, understanding that recovery is often a nonlinear process of reclaiming one's voice.
Inward-looking and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2012
- Language
- EN
