A review by amylandranch
Tradition by Brendan Kiely

3.0

The topic is timely and it is a heavy read, but an important one. Set at a boarding school in New England, the story is told in two points of view. Jules is just trying to keep her head down and get out of that toxic environment and Jamie is an athlete with a second chance to prove himself. If the story is factual about life at a rich boarding school (which I believe life experience from the author makes it so) then I am appalled. The classicism and sexism is hard to stomach. The rape culture at the school is also disgusting but there are so many parts that anyone can identify with, which is why it is an important and timely story. There is teen drinking and drug use, swears, consensual sexual contact and non consensual contact or rape. It pretty much gives a realistic view of what many teens face and it is daunting. 9th grade and up.