A SCAR LIKE A RIVER

A 13-year-old girl growing up in Southern California is keeping secrets—until a sudden death in the family forces her to reckon with them.

Fallon Little was 5 when she had a life-changing experience that resulted in a facial injury, requiring her to undergo four reconstruction surgeries, spend months in the hospital, and do physical therapy. Now in seventh grade, Fallon is cast as the lead in their school play, Hello, Dolly!, along with her “second-best friend,” Kaia. Her other best friend, Trent, is the only person she’s opened up to about the terrifying attack, but the upcoming funeral becomes a catalyst for her to consider revealing the truth to her family. On top of everything, Fallon’s mom has been sick (and numerous doctors have failed to explain her frequent “Crash Days”) and she must process the news that her infuriating aunt is moving in with them. The short chapters with pithy titles build intrigue and momentum, especially as Fallon advocates for changes to the play, which she argues promotes gaslighting; her campaign causes tension with Kaia. The story’s pitch-perfect tone balances sad and funny moments impeccably. Fallon demonstrates incredible depth and a rollicking sense of humor. Her return to therapy (despite skepticism based on previous failures) is instrumental to her reckoning with her secrets. Most characters are white, and Kaia is one of the few Black students.

Darkness and light interplay with perfection.