We Are Young

Trying to make sure you're drunk enough to get through your mother's wedding day but not so drunk that she notices is not an easy task. That is our first introduction to Evan on a wedding day that is marred further by the news of a car crash involving Evan's new step brother. An accident that leaves three people dead and one, her step brother Lewis, the sole survivor, unconscious and injured. With the help of her estranged father Evan begins to piece together the tragedy; the commonly held view of the accident just doesn't ring true - but the truth might be hard for everyone to swallow. Evan is a solid, likeable main character with an honest voice and Cat Clarke has a masterful grasp on the strands she has woven to create Evan's story; family dynamics, control, abuse and mental health forged into one powerful YA read. Another winner from Cat Clarke! 384 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Catherine Purcell, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 11+

We are Young is page-turning contemporary fiction that has strong teen appeal. Evan's new stepbrother Lewis is the only survivor of a horrific crash in which three other teenagers die. The ensuing media storm is pointing at Lewis to take the blame. They are labelling him as a stoner and insinuating that the cause of the crash was drugs related. Evan is sure that all is not as it seems. For a start, Lewis was in a car with people that he wasn't even friends with. It just doesn't add up. Evan is determined to delve deeper and get to the truth. I thought that Evan was a likeable and resilient main character. She has a good relationship with her mother and younger brother, Billy. Her father is a journalist and a reformed alcoholic. He has clearly let the family down in the past and is keen to rebuild bridges. He also happens to be a journalist so they are able to work together to try to solve the mystery of what happened on that night. Evan's new step father, however, is another story... This book covers so many issues that are relevant to teenagers today. Evan is bi-sexual and I love the fact that this is simply accepted and does not become the main focus of the story. She has unprotected sex and regrets this. There are no explicit details and the novel focuses more on the potential consequences of her one night stand. Drug and alcohol use is mentioned but mental health, emotional abuse, depression and suicide are the main focus of the book. This is a thought-provoking read with a help and advice page to turn to in the back pages. This was a great read. There are lots of light-hearted moments and it is a book that is full of hope. I would categorise this book as young adult fiction, suitable for ages 14+, and recommended to fans of John Green and Eve Ainsworth. 384 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Clair Bossons, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 11+