Cold

Gr 8 Up–Todd is dead. The only out gay student at his all-boys prep school, he tried to fly under the radar as much as possible, and there are few leads when his body is discovered naked in a park. Georgia has problems of her own, including issues with body image and trust, as well as a profound sense of insecurity and not belonging. But there’s something about Todd—a boy she never even knew—that she can’t get out of her head. Told in the alternating perspectives of Georgia and Todd, this is a quick but heavy read. While Georgia’s voice is authentic, with its humor, intelligence, and deeply felt emotion, Todd’s perspective feels remote. One main character is white; the other is biracial (described as “half Asian”). Supporting characters, outside of a Black police detective and biracial brother of one of the main characters, are either white or their race is not specified.