Blues for Zoey

Gr 9 Up—Kaz is saving the money he earns from his job at the laundromat—not for college, but to help his mother get treatment for a rare medical condition after his father dies. Working full-time during his summer vacation, his life is turned upside down when he meets Zoey. She is an enigma and readers will puzzle along with Kaz, trying to figure her out. Through his relationship with Zoey, Kaz is drawn into secrets, truths, and, ultimately, a dangerous situation. Teens will empathize with the protagonist, as he struggles with balancing his job, friends, and being a teenager, all the while taking care of his younger sister and mother. Weston builds tension through short chapters and a quickly paced plot, leading to a surprising ending. Those looking for a happy-ever-after conclusion will not find it here. Instead, the novel ends with a sense of possibility. Fans of gritty, realistic, and authentic works will find this novel an intriguing option. A diverse group of characters and the inner-city setting adds interest. Recommend this to fans of John Green's Paper Towns (Dutton, 2008) because of the dark and honest portrayal of teenage life.—Stephanie Charlefour, Wixom Public Library, MI