Thaw by Monica M. Roe

Roe, Monica M. Thaw.
Front Street Books (see Boyd's Mill Press), 2008, $17.95, 235p, 978-1-59078-496-9
Realistic fiction

Dane is a popular athlete who has an abundance of ego and is callous toward the feelings of other people. Shortly after having the flu, Dane experiences muscle weakness, and finishes a Nordic ski race in 6th place, instead of his usual 1st place. His girlfriend, with whom he is involved sexually, becomes irritated at Dane's uncaring reaction to a rape observed by everyone at a drunken victory party and eventually leaves him. Through the use of flashbacks, the reader slowly begins to realize how Dane ended up paralyzed in the rehab facility far from home. Dane realizes his father only wants to be around perfection and realizes how difficult his little brother's life has been because he doesn't measure up to dad's standards. Dane has two therapists who push him out of his egocentric world and into a tough physical and occupational therapy routine. Dane uses humor in referring to his physical disabilities and those around him to lighten the mood. Occasional swear words appropriate to one who can no longer perform daily life functions show Dane's frustration. A fairly predictable ending of Dane's acceptance of the long road to recovery and his "thawing" to become a more compassionate person. Because of the rape, this book is limited to grades 9 and up. A good look at the rehabilitation process. LMN

Waiting for normal. by Leslie Conner

Connor, Leslie. Waiting for normal.
Harper Collins, 2008, $17.89, 290p, 978-0-06-089088-9
Realistic fiction

Addie and her mother are moved into a tiny trailer on a busy corner under the elevated train in Schenectady, NY. Addie quickly settles in and makes friends with neighbors who run a mini-market across the street. Soula, while usually upbeat, is fighting the effects of her chemotherapy. treatment Addie misses terribly her ex-step-father Dwight and her two younger half-sisters who were taken from her mother due to neglect. Addie is used to being very resourceful at keeping herself fed when mother stays away from the trailer for days at a time. Addie’s visits with Dwight on school vacations show her a vision of normal that eventually becomes too painful for Addie to bear. The situation comes to a head when the trailer burns down. There is a happy new beginning in store for Addie.
A very believable story of abandonment, neglect, and the search for love and “normal”. The issues of neglect and a dysfunctional parent are not sensationalized nor trivialized.
Excellent read for middle school. JT