Prince of Pot

September 1, 2017

Gr 10 Up-Isaac Mawson lives with his family in the woods of British Columbia on a "grow-op," an illegal marijuana farm that is so off the grid that his best friend is a habituated bear and there are no roads leading up to his cabin. A senior in high school, Isaac's post-graduation plans are to continue the family business. Then Isaac meets Sam, a loud, gregarious schoolmate who draws unwanted attention to Isaac's way of life, and everything changes. Isaac starts to dream about what life outside the grow would look like and even considers going to art school. But leaving his aging parents to fend for themselves is a nonstarter; perhaps Sam could live in the woods with him? In some ways, where this story is headed is no surprise: readers will know that Sam is trouble even before learning that her father is a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. But the unraveling of Isaac's carefully cultivated family life is filled with anguish and some harsh truths. Kyi's description of Isaac's impossible situation is never dull, and the narrative is propelled forward by a brisk plot, complicated three-dimensional characters, realistic dialogue, and a unique setting. The bucolic woods are filled with danger, both natural and man-made; how the flawed but earnest Isaac navigates his way through them will determine his future. VERDICT An engaging story set in an atypical locale that will universally appeal to teens; a strong purchase.-Melissa Kazan, Horace Mann School, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2017
A boy living on a secret marijuana farm struggles to choose between continuing the family business or leaving the woods for good. White teen Isaac Mawson lives on an illegal marijuana grow-op on government-owned forest land with his family and a group of bears. His life is nothing like that of his fellow classmates; his parents expect him to take over the business as soon as he graduates high school, and he can never tell anyone about it. He accepts his fate, finding escape in painting. But while hiking one day, Isaac stumbles upon Sam Ko, the new-to-town, biracial (Asian/white) girl with spiky black hair. He's instantly infatuated. The two become close quickly even though her desire to be in the spotlight rankles him. In his fantasy, Sam moves into the forest with him, mirroring the life of his parents. But Isaac learns that his two lives--the secret one at home and the public one at school--can't both continue. Sam's father is a cop, which puts Isaac's family at risk. Isaac must decide his future before it's decided for him. Isaac and Sam's relationship reads as hollow; there's little buildup or romance. The real story is in Isaac's struggle to choose his path, and the violence that spurs this choice can be seen coming from a mile away. A modern Romeo and Juliet spin that frustrates and fizzles. (Fiction. 14-18)

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September 1, 2017
Grades 9-12 Isaac knows the rules of living on a pot grow-op: keep to himself at school; never draw attention to himself or his family's hidden cabin in the woods; and never, ever get close enough to anyone to reveal his family secrets. But when Sam shows up on the mountain just a few weeks before graduation, he begins to wonder if trying to live a normal life, even for a little while, might be a worthwhile experiment. This truly immersive story will make readers feel as if they're hiking up and down a secluded mountain with Isaac and his pet bears. Kyi perfectly captures the classic warring emotions of late adolescencea need to get out on one's own and a need to stay with what's familiarbut she adds her own unique twist. This is the perfect read for high-school seniors on the verge of starting their adult life, trying to figure out how much of their past will sit comfortably beside it.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)