What Light

August 8, 2016
Sierra is the daughter of Christmas tree farmers from Oregon. Every holiday season she travels to California to help her mother and father sell their harvest. Sierra’s parents fell in love at the lot while they were still in high school, and her father, afraid that she might fall for one of the seasonal hires, imposes strict dating rules to protect her. For the past few seasons, Sierra hasn’t minded—the rules keep boys she isn’t interested in at bay—but that changes when she meets Caleb, a boy with a troubled past. The more Sierra learns about Caleb’s generous spirit, the harder she falls. But Caleb’s past is soon discovered, putting their relationship at risk. This light romance from bestselling author Asher (Thirteen Reasons Why) is just dramatic enough to give readers a reason to keep turning pages despite the story’s overall predictability. Charming and sweet, Sierra and Caleb’s budding relationship should suit readers looking for a wintertime romance that’s as cozy (and familiar) as candy canes and gingerbread during the holidays. Ages 12–up. Agent: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary.

Love, hope, and forgiveness are under the tree this Christmas.From Thanksgiving through Christmas, Sierra and her parents move from their Oregon tree farm to their sale lot in California. Though Sierra usually eschews involvement with local boys, this year, Heather, her California pal, is determined that Sierra indulge in a "holiday love affair." Enter Caleb of the adorable dimple, and it's blush at first sight. However, Caleb has a back story: years ago, he went after his sister with a knife. Troublingly, the revelation doesn't scare Sierra; she thinks Caleb must be good now--after all, he buys Christmas trees for people who can't afford them. Sierra's decision to skip a best friend's holiday play in order to be with Caleb may also have readers grinding their teeth. A subplot reveals that Heather doesn't want to break up with her boyfriend because she needs to feel that he wants her. The sexism runs both ways: the novel's main theme is that of boy-needs-girl-to-make-him-see-he's-worthy-of-forgiveness. Neither characters nor book seem to question the retrograde nature of these relationships and assumptions. While most ethnicities are unnamed, leaving readers to infer that characters are probably white, there are two secondary characters of color: Mrs. Trujillo, a recipient of Caleb's Christmas trees, and local mean girl Christy Wang. Though apparently titled for the line from Romeo and Juliet, this second solo outing for the author of Thirteen Reasons Why is not a love story for the ages. (Fiction. 13-18) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-Sierra has grown up on her family's Christmas tree farm in Oregon, and for as long as she can remember, she has always lived two lives around Christmas: every year after Thanksgiving, her parents pack up their trailer and drive down to California to sell Christmas trees at their lot for the month of December. Even though her parents met as teens on the same lot, her father doesn't want her dating any of the boys who work there. Sierra is OK with this, figuring that she's not there long enough for a romance to be worth her time. And then she meets Caleb, a boy with a painful secret from his past that he's still trying to live down. At first, Sierra isn't sure if she should start a relationship with him, but the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes that some things are worth the risk. This is a sweet, light romance, perfect for holiday reading. While Caleb's secret is awful, it doesn't seem quite bad enough to merit the treatment he receives in his community. Side stories with Sierra's friends add some humor but are overall frothy. VERDICT This is more sugar in your peppermint mocha than you're expecting, but it's good nonetheless. Asher's fans will gravitate toward it.-Necia Blundy, formerly at Marlborough Public Library, MA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2016
Grades 7-10 Asher's latest is a surprising change of direction from the best-selling Thirteen Reasons Why (2007): a frothy, peppermint-in-hot-cocoa romance. Ever since she was little, Sierra's lived a dual life, split between her family's Christmas tree farm in Oregon and the California town where they run a tree lot for one month out of the year. But with tree sales not what they used to be, this winter may be her last in California. Enter Caleb, the social pariah better known for a sole act of aggression years ago than his current gig providing Christmas trees to needy families. Sierra's friends and family try to steer her away from Caleb, but all she sees is who he is today. Can she convince him he's forgiven? Though the plot is solidly in the Hallmark vein, Asher gives it the gentle romance treatment many younger teens crave. Sierra's story provides an interesting window into alternative schooling and living arrangements facing some teens whose families work in agriculture. Certain to please readers seeking an escapist, feel-good holiday read. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: With an author tour and a hefty marketing campaign behind it, Asher's follow-up to his best-selling debut is destined for lots of attention.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)