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Reading age
10+
Genre
Realistic fiction
Publisher
Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Publication date
April 23, 2024
Isiah, Drew, and Darius are determined to break world records, but one day, while Darius was attempting to break the record for the longest wheelie, a man approached them and started shouting at them for riding on his street. The man yelled so loud that Darius couldn’t hear Isiah warning him about an approaching car. Tragically, Darius was hit and killed by the vehicle. Now, Isiah has to live with the loss of his friend while Drew is growing up and is no longer interested in their record-breaking pursuits. Isiah is also about to graduate from 8th grade and move on to high school, facing a world that has changed forever without Darius.
This novel-in-verse was incredible but left me with mixed emotions. Although the storyline was fascinating and well-crafted, it was also heart-wrenching and made me cry through the entire first part of the book.
The author’s use of various illustrations throughout the book added to the overall experience and made it even more memorable.
I delved deeper into the story and wondered what would happen next. One of the main characters, Isiah, was a relatable character who always tried to fit in but had to hide half of who he was. Drew was okay, but he could have opened up a little more. The most heartbreaking part of the book was when Darius died. He seemed like such a fantastic person, and I was distraught by his passing.
Despite the sadness, every part of the story was terrific, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good and emotional read.
My rating
