Thin Places

Gr 8 Up—This novel in verse focuses on the relationship between 16-year-old Declan Lynch and the surprising new voice in his head. He hears a young woman who introduces herself as Rebecca, and she claims to have been looking for him. Declan falls in love with her almost immediately and without much just cause. While he has heard voices in the past, his conversations with Rebecca feel different. Declan tells a trusted friend and his parents about his experience, though his father remains insensitive about Declan's mental health. Through a series of images provided by Rebecca, the protagonist comes to understand that he must travel to Ireland to find her. Once Declan arrives in Ireland to stay with his uncle Seamus, readers will feel more invested in the teen's journey. His uncle helps him travel around the island to search for the mystery girl. Celtic mythology plays an important role in the plot, especially in the titular "thin places," where the spirit realm meets the physical world. The discussion of mental illness is not particularly nuanced, and while Declan has a support system, not much is offered in the way of hope by the story's end. The poetry is simple and highly readable, which will appeal to teens looking for accessible modern fantasy.