Don’t Let It Break Your Heart

Gr 10 Up–A beautiful, contemporary coming-of-age story about finding one’s authentic self and learning to love and accept it. Alana Lucas is completely relatable as she navigates the politics of high school and her friend group, having recently realized her sexuality. Her best friend and ex-boyfriend Ethan Gray is close to her and supports her as best he can. But when new girl Tal Stonnard joins the student council and subsequently their friend group, Alana is forced to face her feelings and come into her own. Complete with college decisions, navigating forgiveness and betrayal, realizing life dreams, witty banter, and exercising autonomy, this is a wonderfully balanced story that evokes emotion and invites readers into the fun. Horne so accurately captures the buzz and electricity of high school: feeling overwhelmed getting to know a crush, as well as the conflicting feelings of getting closer to someone you’re interested in, while also feeling guilty when your best friend likes them, too; and knowing who you are on your own, beyond the role you play to others.