Reasons We Break

Gr 9 Up–Rajan, recently released from juvenile detention, is determined to move beyond his past mistakes. Pressured back into the same gang that first ensnared him during his mother’s illness, he struggles to balance loyalty, fear, and the hope of a fresh start. Simran, once his math tutor and now his probation mentor, carries her own burdens: her mother’s cancer diagnosis, hidden from family and friends, and the crushing expectations placed on her as a high-achieving daughter. When Simran convinces herself she can help Rajan by managing the gang’s finances, she quickly becomes indispensable. But her skills attract dangerous attention, sparking conflict that entangles both teens in a perilous gang war. Though the pacing lags at times, this novel offers a rare and authentic perspective on gang involvement through the lens of Sikh teenagers in Canada. The narrative does not sensationalize violence; instead, it emphasizes the emotional and social pressures that drive young people into risky choices. Both protagonists are depicted with nuance, and Simran, in particular, resists stereotypes of the “helpless girl,” emerging as resourceful and resilient despite overwhelming stressors. Sensitive themes include parental illness and grief, but depictions of violence are limited, making this accessible to a wide range of readers.