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A review by whatmeganreads
In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Stunning. That's the best word I've got for it. This is a book I'll be recommending to all my reader friends. (Consider this my recommendation to you, if you happen to be reading this.) This book is categorized as YA - and although the main characters are of high-school age, and while there are a very few bits of angsty teen-ness in the dialogue or some moments slightly charged with melodrama, please know those moments are few and far between. (Take this from a reader who takes VERY LITTLE of the young adult drama before a very unemotional DNF.)
Cash and Delaney live in a constant battle against the vortex of a small (stereotypical, but unfortunately, so many times very accurate) impoverished Appalachian town. In the middle of fighting through broken families, addictions, illness, and hardships, they are invited to enroll at an exclusive and elite private school. It could change their lives, but Cash isn't sure how much he is ready to sacrifice for that chance. The struggle to adapt and change without losing the best of yourself is a central theme. Bonus points for the piece of the story shining a light on what a huge impact one really great teacher can have on the lives of their students.
This is SO well written. If you happen to be from a small southern town, you may have moments of crystalline and deep resonance, like I did. If you're not from a small southern town, you'll get an awful good glimpse of what it could have been like if you were. And Lord, how it made me miss my Grampa. FYI - have tissues nearby. I sobbed my eyes out for pretty near the last quarter of the book. It was worth it.
******
"Carry off my fear like it’s sin. Fill my reservoir of courage. Cleanse me of doubt. Make me strong enough to cut myself a path through the world, like you. Remind me that there are things I love that can last." - Jeff Zentner, In The Wild Light
Cash and Delaney live in a constant battle against the vortex of a small (stereotypical, but unfortunately, so many times very accurate) impoverished Appalachian town. In the middle of fighting through broken families, addictions, illness, and hardships, they are invited to enroll at an exclusive and elite private school. It could change their lives, but Cash isn't sure how much he is ready to sacrifice for that chance. The struggle to adapt and change without losing the best of yourself is a central theme. Bonus points for the piece of the story shining a light on what a huge impact one really great teacher can have on the lives of their students.
This is SO well written. If you happen to be from a small southern town, you may have moments of crystalline and deep resonance, like I did. If you're not from a small southern town, you'll get an awful good glimpse of what it could have been like if you were. And Lord, how it made me miss my Grampa. FYI - have tissues nearby. I sobbed my eyes out for pretty near the last quarter of the book. It was worth it.
******
"Carry off my fear like it’s sin. Fill my reservoir of courage. Cleanse me of doubt. Make me strong enough to cut myself a path through the world, like you. Remind me that there are things I love that can last." - Jeff Zentner, In The Wild Light