This Night Is Ours

Gr 8 Up–Brandy has just received her acceptance into nursing school, and her mother couldn’t be more proud. The only problem is that Brandy no longer wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a nurse; instead, she wants to pursue art, like her father did when he abandoned them. Torn between disappointing the only parent she has ever known and following her dreams, Brandy finds herself spending the day with her high school nemesis, Ben, who is fearlessly going after his own dream of acting. While the two tease each other throughout the day, will they discover they have more in common than they ever thought possible—maybe even romance? This sophomore novel by Davis is mostly well constructed and cleverly crafted. Ben and Brandy are both strongly developed and feel very much like real teens, and the supporting cast of characters have their own complex stories as well. The plot moves along steadily, and while issues abound, each is given space to be explored in depth. Most characters are white; Brandy is mixed race, with a Black mother and white father.