The River's Edge

Gr 9 Up—Chris Morgan knows that her father isn't coming back, even though her mother is sure that he will. To deal with the aftermath of his absence, Chris's mother sends the teen away to spend the summer along the Ohio River with relatives she hasn't seen in a long time. The freedom and long days she finds open up seemingly endless possibilities. Even as Chris misses her mother and her home, she makes new friends, becomes entangled in summer love, and quickly discovers the ugliness of the past and some terrible secrets about her own family. Torn between what is right and what will happen if she unveils the truth, Chris feels twisted and bruised inside. Set in 1976, the intriguing story includes some unexpected plot turns that will likely balance out the places where the writing style comes up short. Delving into heavy family issues, this novel is best suited for more mature teens.