SUGAR CRASH

Stranded on a mountainside, a teen who has Type 1 diabetes must find a way to work with her former best friend to survive.

Seventeen-year-old Zoe Harmon missed the bus for her overnight senior class field trip because of an episode of low blood sugar. Knowing that her graduation will be in jeopardy if she can’t write the required essay about the experience for English class, where she’s already struggling, Zoe does the unthinkable—she asks her nemesis, Vic Niels, for a ride. What was supposed to be a shortcut to the camp turns disastrous when Vic’s car careens off a mountain road and into a tree in the middle of a surprise snowstorm. A battered Zoe locates Vic, who’s in bad shape, too—and the realization that she’s in serious trouble sets in as she discovers that the backpack containing everything she needs to manage her diabetes is missing. Now the teens must overcome their animosity and work together. With compact, plot-driven chapters and realistic teen dialogue geared toward reluctant readers, this thrilling survival story has Zoe facing one calamity after another. As someone living with Type 1 diabetes, Di Lorenzo lends an authentic voice, providing ample information about navigating an invisible disability while also tackling topics such as mixed feelings over the loss of friendship and the rekindling of romantic feelings. Both protagonists present white.

A highly engaging, nail-biting adventure with much-needed representation and a touch of romance.