While We’re Young

Gr 9 Up–A new rom-com take on Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Student body president Grace is the good girl who always does the right thing. It’s usually her brother James who is sneaking around. But what she wants to do today is fake being sick and convince her best friends Everett and Isa to skip with her for a day of fun and high jinks. What she does not know is at school, people are extremely worried about her and have started a SaveGrace movement. And the fun day is not without secrets and complications. Unspoken feelings and heavier topics like parental death and depression are balanced well with lighthearted and humorous moments between the “secret” couples of Grace and Everett and Isa and James. They go to Philadelphia to various tourist sites and strengthen their friendships. At the same time, they’re discovering things about themselves: their feelings, their ambitions, their inner strength. That they’re stronger together than alone. Walther’s writing style flows well. Her characters are realistic and well-developed. Even secondary characters (like the mean principal) are engaging and interesting. Readers will remain engaged while also rooting for the main characters.