180 Seconds

Gr 7 Up—Allison spent most of her life moving from one foster home to another until finally being adopted at age 16. Even though she now has a loving father and a nice home, and is attending college, her painful childhood experiences prevent her from trusting people and developing healthy relationships. That is, until she is suddenly swept into a social experiment where she finds herself staring into the eyes of a handsome stranger for 180 seconds. Something unexpected and unexplainable happens during those three minutes, and the two of them form an instant connection. Esben, a social media star, helps her come out of her protective shell by connecting her with friends and his online community. However, Allison's transformation seems too sudden considering the severity of her anxiety. While the story has its flaws, there are some bright spots. Allison's relationship with her adoptive father, Simon, for example, is realistic and often touching. Arielle DeLisle narrates. Her best work is during Allison's most vulnerable moments.