The Secret Language of Sisters

Gr 7 Up—High school junior Roo McCabe's life is full: she needs to choose a college, capture a scholarship-winning photo, and figure out if she still loves her boyfriend, Newton. But then, en route to pick up her sister Tilly, who is incessantly texting for updates on when she'll arrive, an exasperated Roo breaks protocol and replies. A swerve, a skid, and an end-over-end tumble result in paralysis compounded by locked-in syndrome. Told in alternating chapters and perspectives, Tilly's and Roo's individual journeys toward recovery finally join together, sealed with the healing gift of unconditional love between sisters. Kate Rudd (Tilly) and Brittany Pressley (Roo) provide solid narrations for all secondary characters, but each shines as her respective sister. Rice's YA debut with its timely don't-text-and-drive story line will give teens much to think about in relation to their texting habits.