Deposing Nathan

March 15, 2019
Two West Virginia teens become as close as two boys can get--until one stabs the other. During the course of a three-day deposition, Nate, the victim, gives the prosecutor a detailed account of how Cam stabbed him. Before it turns violent, the bromance begins when the two pair up in 11th-grade biology class. Between formerly attending private Catholic schools and losing family members young, the two share an intimate connection. As that intimacy becomes physical, problems start to arise--for one, Nate has a girlfriend. Nate's home, run by his straight-laced aunt, is also one of rules. The newest rule is that Nate can't see Cam anymore. But Nate still wants to. Cam does, too. So, why the violence? The first-person present-tense narrative twists between dialogue, letters, and descriptive sequences. Jolting moments of direct address heighten the drama. Though the adults read as extremes, debut author Smedley adds depth by including intimate backstories. Nate's internalized homophobia and Catholic guilt mix, resulting in a layered, complex depiction of questioning (bi)sexuality. Meanwhile, ignostic Cam provides a more bi-positive foil. Smedley's tight control of the structure, alternating between burgeoning romance and cringeworthy case details, skillfully results in cognitive dissonance. Most of the cast presents as white, but the prosecutor is black and uses a wheelchair.A heartbreaking case worth revisiting again and again. (Fiction. 13-18)

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May 1, 2019

Gr 8 Up-Sixteen-year-old Nate has always been a golden child, raised by his father and aunt in a strict and religious household. When he meets Cam, who encourages him to question rules and dare to be independent, Nate's sheltered life begins to feel stifling, and he starts pushing back in little ways. As the relationship between them becomes more complicated, both boys reach a breaking point-ending in a brutal fight and attempted murder charges. The narrative unfolds in two separate time lines. In the first, Nate has had time to recover from being stabbed, and as he spends several days giving the deposition that could send Cam to jail, a nuanced story emerges. A number of twists and turns reveal the tenuous relationships between the boys and between Nate and his family, as well as Nate's struggle to accept his own identity. Themes that may appeal to teen readers include small acts of rebellion in the face of strict parents and faith traditions, questioning one's sexual identity, and thoughtful treatment of a love triangle not often seen in YA fiction. At its heart a story about complex relationships, the structure adds layers of suspense that will have readers constantly reevaluating events. VERDICT Recommend to fans of complicated relationships and suspense, and for students eager to read outside the mainstream.-Erin Downey, Boise School District, ID

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2019
Grades 9-12 When devout Catholic high-school junior Nate meets Cam on the first day of school, he doesn't realize that by the end of the summer, they'll be sitting in a law office completing a deposition to uncover why Cam stabbed him. Yet that is exactly where Smedley's debut novel begins, and what follows is Nate's account of how he and Cam met, became best friends, and ended up fighting on his front lawn that fateful summer night. Smedley takes on religion, bisexuality, abuse, and mental health in this ambitious coming-of-age story?and he pulls it all together beautifully. All the awkward, endearing, and complex experiences of discovering your sexuality and falling in love will keep readers rooting for Nate and Cam even as the mystery of Nate's assault unfolds. Readers should be aware that, while it is not the focus, the story includes depictions of child abuse. An emotional ride with a refreshingly mature ending, Smedley's debut is recommended for readers looking for a poignant story of love, religious belief, and self-acceptance.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)