“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” ~Mary Oliver
Ezra Faulkner believes that everyone gets a tragedy, a tragedy that will shape and change the course of their lives. For Ezra, his life changed irreparably the night of the accident that left him with a crushed knee, injured wrist, and took away his ability to not only play but excel on the tennis court.
When senior year begins, Ezra mourns the loss of his previously popular life and has the opportunity to start over. He no longer fits with his old crowd and must find other activities and friends to occupy his time. Ezra’s elementary school best friend Toby strikes up a conversation, as though it hasn’t been years since they spoke. And then there is the new girl, Cassidy. A girl he may have never noticed before. A girl he can’t get out of his mind.
Who has changed? His old, popular crew or Ezra himself? Even if he could, would he want to go back to his life before the accident?
Everyone has their own tragedy to survive. It could be the end of something or it might as well just be the beginning of everything.
“I love her and that is the beginning and end of everything.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald
Why I picked up the book: Last summer a high school young man had told me how great the book was so it was in my to-read pile. I picked it for our January “Never Too Old” book discussion since the title seemed like a good fit for the new year.
Why I finished it: I really liked the character of Ezra. I kept thinking about my own “personal tragedies” and how they shaped and changed the course of my life.
I’d give it to: high school teens and adults, due to some of the content. It is a great realistic novel that makes you think about your life and where you fit.
Readalikes: Looking for Alaska by John Green; Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford; Winger by Andrew Smith, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky; Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick; and because Ezra references the book, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
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Review by Jenn, YA Librarian, (View all my Goodreads reviews)