A review by serendipitysbooks
In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

 
In the Wild Light is the story of Cash who has grown up in small town Tennessee with his grandparents after his mother died of a drug overdose. His best friend Delaney, whom he met at a Narateen meeting, has just won a scholarship to an exclusive Connecticut boarding school and manages to arrange one for Cash as well. This story traverses their school year.

There was so much to love about this YA novel.

1. Characters having the courage to step outside their comfort zone, and grow and develop as a result.
2. Cash’s relationship with his grandparents, especially the bond between him and Papaw.
3. The way grief was acknowledged and seeking help normalised.
4. The power of poetry and of teachers like Dr Bree Adkins.
5. Gorgeous writing - especially the depiction of the Tennessee landscape, the poignant way the characters emotions were portrayed and so much more.
6. The inclusion of lots of positive diverse representation among the characters, virtually all of whom I loved. And what a powerful minor storyline involving the one exception!

All in all a beautiful story that tackles hard subjects - addiction, death, grief- but ends in a realistically hopeful way. Loved this one. 
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