Break to You by Neal Shusterman (review)

Reviewed by: Break to You by Neal Shusterman Alaine Martaus Shusterman, Neal Break to You; by Neal Schusterman, Debra Young, and Michelle Knowlden. Quill Tree, 2024 [432p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780062875761 $19.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780062875785 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 8-12 Teens Adriana Zarahn and Artorias Jonathon "Jon" Kilgore are inmates at Compass Juvenile Detention Center: new girl Adriana for a short stint, alpha prisoner Jon for a sentence that will carry into adulthood. Though physically separated, the two inadvertently connect when Adriana's journal falls into Jon's hands, and he writes [End Page 374] back. With the journal as go-between and a shared library as a hiding place, the two form an unexpected friendship that quickly turns to more. Yet even as they find love and hatch a plot to meet face-to-face, they must wrangle with harsh realities surrounding them. With its emotional intensity, thoughtful storytelling, and wrenching conclusion, this addictive, gently romantic page-turner will hit readers in both the heart and the gut. Although chapters alternate between viewpoints in third-person, there's power in the singularity of each voice, giving the narrative a first-person intimacy. Adriana is deflecting the importance of her multiracial identity as she seeks a safe space amongst girls with hard shells and deep secrets. Jon, meanwhile, is attempting to maintain power as a Black boy with a system against him, dealing with an erratic sidekick, a needy newbie, and increasingly determined enemies. The two are compelling leads, and their situations give readers plenty to ponder about race, remorse, crime, and punishment; further layers are explored through the memorable, racially diverse cast of compatriots and conspirators. A late chapter caper, a brief but sweet interlude between lovers, and a stunning betrayal, meanwhile, provide a cinematic climax sure to keep readers' attention through the end. Hand this to readers who value ride-or-die friendships and hard-won heartache, and those who grew up loving Holes and are ready to grapple with a grittier take on juvenile justice.