Greater Secrets

Gr 9 Up–After the disappearance of her older sister Amara, Maya’s family tries to carry on as usual, buoyed by the hope that she will return to them when she’s ready. Maya’s family has always been able to see a distant beam of light that is considered to be a curse by some and a gift to others. After the stress of her sister’s absence piles up on her reluctance to face an upcoming discussion about college, Maya uses a chance meeting with two strangers to embark on a life-changing road trip. These strangers, Cardea and Dyno, are equally troubled by the future, climate, and family anxiety, and as the three set out to find Amara by following the pillar of light, their concerns bond them and prepare them to face their futures. The compassionate portrayal of the multitude of stressors teens cope with, combined with vivid and impactful illustrations, add up to a compelling and timely graphic novel. Whether the pillar of light is a gift or a curse is open to interpretation, but perhaps the true meaning of the beam lies in the decision to pursue it.