Take Me On

Gr 8 Up—Bottling up her emotions has become Haley's way to deal with her problems from her dad losing his job, to the family living under authoritarian rule at her Uncle's house, and her violent act of hitting back after her ex-boyfriend hits her first. West, on the other hand, has problems controlling his emotions while dealing with his tumultuous relationship with his parents, blaming himself for his sister's terrible accident and paralysis, and getting in one too many fights at school leading to his expulsion. Haley and West's lives and narratives intertwine after West nearly hits Haley with his SUV and a conflict with her ex-boyfriends younger brother results. To protect West and her family from retaliation, Haley trains West to battle it out with her ex in the octagon. That decision means she'll have to face the reason she gave up kickboxing. As the story progresses so do Haley and West, their romance, and their fight for what is best for them. Although dramatic and star-crossed, McGarry's novel adds realism to the romance, dialogue, and problems that both West and Haley encounter. With likable characters and a tensely building romance, this book will not disappoint fans.—Adrienne L. Strock, Chicago Public Library