Forever for a Year

“It’s like I used to be Carrie, this awkward eighth grader, but now I was going to be Carolina, this amazing freshman.” Nerdy and immature in junior high, Carolina and her best friend, Peggy (sorry, “Marguerite”), hit the ground running on their first day of high school; Carolina is ready to grow up -- right now. Trevor, new to town, has been rendered cynical and depressed by his mother’s recent suicide attempt and is dreading starting school. Carolina and Trevor meet in first period, and the rest is history, chronicled in alternating first-person narratives characterized by insecurities and excitement and near-hysterical inner monologues: “I MUST KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS OR I WILL DIE.” Debut author Gottfred’s accomplishments here are the truly realistic teen voices and the believable trajectory and fate of the relationship; readers won’t be surprised when the “soulmates” hit rough patches (though some of the subplots do contain surprises). Carolina does grow up, as does Trevor -- perhaps too quickly thanks to their intense relationship and respective family troubles, but teen readers will appreciate the couple’s newfound wisdom about high school friendships, parents, sexuality, and first love. A touching, relatable, and highly appealing coming-of-age romance à la Eleanor & Park (rev. 5/13) but with lots of sex. katrina hedeen

On the first day of high school, Carolina is ready to grow up--right now. New-to-town Trevor is depressed over his mother's recent suicide attempt. They meet in first period, and the rest is history, chronicled in realistic alternating first-person narratives. Teen readers will appreciate the couple's newfound wisdom about friendships, parents, sexuality, and first love. A highly appealing coming-of-age romance with lots of sex.