Description
Description
"Heartwrenching." --VOYA (starred review) "Beautiful, captivating prose." --RT Book Reviews A twisted tragedy leaves Brooke and her siblings on their own in this provocative novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be. How do you let go of something you've never had? Junior year for Brooke Winters is supposed to be about change. She's transferring schools, starting fresh, and making plans for college so she can finally leave her hometown, her family, and her past behind. But all of her dreams are shattered one hot summer afternoon when her mother is arrested for killing Brooke's abusive father. No one really knows what happened that day, if it was premeditated or self-defense, whether it was right or wrong. And now Brooke and her siblings are on their own. In a year of firsts--the first year without parents, first love, first heartbreak, and her first taste of freedom--Brooke must confront the shadow of her family's violence and dysfunction, as she struggles to embrace her identity, finds her true place in the world, and learns how to let go.
About the Author
About the Author
Amber Smith is the New York Times, USA TODAY, and internationally bestselling author of the young adult novels The Way I Used to Be, The Last to Let Go, Something Like Gravity, Fade into You, and The Way I Am Now. An advocate for increased awareness of gendered violence and LGBTQIA+ equality, she writes in the hope that her books can help foster change and spark dialogue. She lives in Ithaca, New York, with her wife and their ever-growing family of rescued dogs and cats. You can find her online at AmberSmithAuthor.com.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
* "Smith's deeply felt sophomore effort (following The Way I Used to Be, 2016) explores the rippling effects of domestic violence and its ability to carry through generations...Vivid characterizations of the extended family Brooke gets to know, along with others who people her first year on her own, bring the story to life."
-- "Booklist, starred review" * "Heartwrenching."-- "VOYA, starred review" "A well-crafted and honest look at family issues and a good pick for fans of Sara Zarr and Laurie Halse Anderson. Highly recommended."
-- "School Library Journal" "Complex and nuanced."-- "BN Teen Blog" "This emotionally charged story is a pitch-perfect portrait of complicated families."
-- "The Children's Book Review" "Smith will take readers' breaths away with every vivid sentence... [she] boldly explores this very serious, very real topic through beautiful, captivating prose."
-- "RT Book Reviews" "The ups and downs [Brooke] faces are one hundred percent relatable and demonstrate that, even in the face of pain and anger, hope is the one thing that cannot be taken from us."-- "The Mary Sue" "A fantastic read."-- "Culturess" "The hopeful story of a brave young girl's journey to self-acceptance."-- "Hypable" "The Last to Let Go is a deeply touching, heart-rending look at lives caught in the trap of domestic violence. I can't recommend this book highly enough." -Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces
-- "Booklist, starred review" * "Heartwrenching."-- "VOYA, starred review" "A well-crafted and honest look at family issues and a good pick for fans of Sara Zarr and Laurie Halse Anderson. Highly recommended."
-- "School Library Journal" "Complex and nuanced."-- "BN Teen Blog" "This emotionally charged story is a pitch-perfect portrait of complicated families."
-- "The Children's Book Review" "Smith will take readers' breaths away with every vivid sentence... [she] boldly explores this very serious, very real topic through beautiful, captivating prose."
-- "RT Book Reviews" "The ups and downs [Brooke] faces are one hundred percent relatable and demonstrate that, even in the face of pain and anger, hope is the one thing that cannot be taken from us."-- "The Mary Sue" "A fantastic read."-- "Culturess" "The hopeful story of a brave young girl's journey to self-acceptance."-- "Hypable" "The Last to Let Go is a deeply touching, heart-rending look at lives caught in the trap of domestic violence. I can't recommend this book highly enough." -Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pub date:
2019-01-29
Length:
400 pages
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