Getting Over Max Cooper

Gr 9 Up–After a dull sophomore year, aspiring photographer Jazz can’t wait for her summer on Fire Island, NY, especially so she can see Macy, her best friend. Before Macy arrives, Jazz meets Leo, a cute fellow photographer. Macy arrives preoccupied with a former hookup, but Jazz is more concerned with her crush on Leo and the idyllic summer she has imagined with Macy. Through some early morning photo sessions, bike rides, parties (including casual drug use and drinking), Jazz gets closer to Leo, while Macy tries (in vain) to see her crush, Max. Macy’s substance use increases as her obsession over Max strengthens. However, the obsession plot grows unsatisfactorily: Jazz is somewhat clueless about Macy’s destructive behavior and increasing meanness. Max makes only brief appearances before the final third of the book. Macy rarely acts as the best friend Jazz has idealized, and little sympathy for her is generated. When Jazz does finally grasp the severity of Macy’s behavior, she acts as a good friend would. However, the book offers no real discussion of Macy’s mental health issues, and Macy is shuttled home off-page. The story arc of Jazz and Leo’s romance engages, but it isn’t enough to make up for the lack of character development, overuse of slang, and generally sluggish plot. While Jazz, Macy, Max, and Leo present as white, their friend group’s diversity feels a little tokenized.