About This Book
Reach for this book when your teen is grappling with the heavy weight of unfairness, the nuances of grief, or the challenge of seeing the humanity in someone they have been taught to dislike. It is a profound choice for families navigating the aftermath of a loss or those looking to discuss how racial and class-based prejudices can distort our view of justice and truth. The story follows fourteen-year-old Henry, who attempts to climb Mount Katahdin to honor his late brother, only to find himself on a journey with Chay, the Cambodian refugee involved in his brother's fatal accident. This is a complex, emotionally demanding, and ultimately redemptive story. It explores how 'trouble' is not just an event, but something that can be inherited or dismantled through courage. While the themes are intense, the prose is beautiful and provides a safe space for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers to process difficult emotions about accountability and forgiveness.
