Starred review from November 27, 2017
Lawson’s empathetic, wrenching debut zeroes in on five teenagers from various demographics and family situations, who meet in the waiting room at Boston General Hospital, seeking news about whether their loved ones survived a bridge collapse. Chapters shift among Lawson’s complex and carefully drawn characters, offering distinct points of view and providing aching insight into the personal pain that colors their perspectives. For Alexa, a wealthy high achiever, the accident triggers guilt and rekindles an old grief; her brother, Jason—stoned, closeted, and miserable—suffers with guilt and grief of his own. Skyler, of Cambodian heritage, fears facing the world without her strong, dependable sister, and working-class Scott waits for information about the girl he loves. Meanwhile, Morgan deals with a private tragedy while the world focuses on the public catastrophe. Debut novelist Lawson, formerly of Gawker and current film critic at Vanity Fair, builds suspense as readers learn information the characters don’t know, while twists and revelations about the teenagers’ motivations for coming to the hospital result in a gripping and emotionally invigorating story. Ages 12–up. Agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House.
Starred review from May 28, 2018
Reader Linneman’s emotional, empathetic narration draws readers into Lawson’s YA novel about a tragic bridge collapse that brings together several teenagers who meet in the waiting room of Boston General Hospital. When the Tobin Bridge collapses into Boston’s Mystic River, the initial death toll is over 200. As Skylar, Morgan, and siblings Alexa and Jason wait to hear whether their loved ones survived the collapse, they form connections with each other. Rather than a straightforward reading, actor Linneman captures the emotional toil of each character over the course of that one harrowing evening, as well as in flashbacks revealing their relationships to the victims. Her voice trembles tearful, joyful, loving, or scared––depending on what the moment requires. This brings an immediacy and vibrancy to such lines as, “The first time he kissed Kyle, Jason had felt like he was both lifting off the earth and sinking into it.” Linneman also creates distinctive voices for the characters, most memorably the strong Boston accent of Morgan. Linneman’s impressive narration elevates this excellent novel. Ages 12–up. A Razorbill hardcover.