In her debut novel, playwright Corthron crafts a haunting and disturbingly realistic tale of two teenagers from different worlds trying desperately to hold onto their artistic dreams while enduring the vapid wasteland that is their upscale New York City prep school. . . . A powerhouse of storytelling that feels timely and timeless.

– Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW

A “heady realistic novel” in which “writing strikes the right balance of pitchy and pithy—no words are left unchained or events unraveling as Dari and Lily experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.”

– School Library Journal

As they (Lily and Dari) grow closer, they find some comfort in each other, and if this was a predictable novel, their romance would heal all their wounds. But debut novelist Corthron eschews the easy path, especially when Lily, who’s white, displays careless, dangerous naiveté when Dari, who’s black, faces an ultimately tragic interaction with police officers. . . . focus on racial injustice becomes the most powerful of the novel’s subplots.

– Booklist

Corthron marks herself as a writer unafraid of taking up difficult topics relevant to teens’ lives.

– Publishers Weekly

This isn’t always an easy read, but it’s absolutely an important one. Read this one and be ready to talk about racism, violence, sexual choices, and the many ways adults in this story screw up and damage the children in this book.

– School Library Journal, Teen Librarian Tool Box