If We Were Us

Gr 9 Up–Sage Morgan has been best friends with Charlie Carmichael since elementary school, and wherever he goes, she follows. By the time they are both seniors at their elite East Coast boarding school, the rumors that the two of them are meant to be together has hit a fever pitch. However, Sage has a secret. She has been surreptitiously kissing someone, but that someone has not been Charlie. For his part, Charlie has had a stellar experience at school as the lead in every play, a star hockey player, the center of his social circle, and with a seemingly endless number of girls on his arm. He is poised for another exceptional year at Bexley until a new boy transfers to the school, and challenges everything Charlie thought he knew about himself. Though seemingly airy in its initial chapters, the book takes on serious topics with humor and confidence, and the themes and narrative gain depth as the characters grapple with the ideas and expectations of marriage, love, and sexuality. While there is some minor alcohol consumption, overall, this book avoids explicit scenes.