Where We Are

Gr 9 Up–After going their separate ways after elementary school, Micah and Sesame cross paths again in their late teens and quickly form a deep connection. When discussing Micah’s parents’ involvement in the group called the Living Lights, Micah laughs at the notion that it might be a cult. But Micah stops laughing when he and his parents are rounded up in a van late one night and driven to a compound where they’re completely cut off from the rest of the world. Sesame senses something is off when she doesn’t hear from Micah, and knows that if she doesn’t act to find him, no one will. The story is told in first-person perspective, with each chapter largely consisting of Micah narrating his thoughts to Sesame, or vice versa. Secondary characters are present, but only superficially so; the focus is clearly on Micah and Sesame’s relationship. While most of the story is linear, memories are often shown to provide context; some memories are seen twice to show both Micah’s and Sesame’s perspective. The story moves at a brisk pace due to the urgency McGhee weaves into the narrative. McGhee is never overly graphic in her depiction of life at the compound but doesn’t withhold the physical and psychological torture inflicted on Micah. Micah and Sesame are both described as having dark eyes, and Micah’s parents are pale. There is some cursing throughout.