Under Shifting Stars

July 15, 2020
Fraternal twins Clare and Audrey have always been together, but after the death of their older brother, Adam, a rift has grown between them. Clare explores her gender and orientation, weighing her identity and growing attraction to nonbinary student Taylor against her social life in public school. Meanwhile Audrey struggles to accept her neurodivergence and attendance at Peak, an alternative school for gifted students derided by her friends, who say it is for freaks. She tries to keep both facts hidden from her new friend and love interest, Calvin, who introduces her to the joys of LARPing. These two narratives are punctuated by bumbling attempts at a reconciliation between the twins; born 13 minutes apart, Clare is a Taurus and Audrey is a Gemini, a difference that is presented as symbolic of their contrasts. Latos' prose is highly relatable, giving an accurate and gut-wrenching depiction of the uncertainty of growing up and finding oneself. She emphasizes the pain that comes from knowing that someone you love has changed without you along with the fear of being left behind. Bullying of queer and neurodivergent students is shown in all of its bitter truth. At the same time, Latos reassures readers that these situations are not hopeless. Fourteen-year-old Clare and Audrey, along with the rest of the cast, are cued as White. A painful page-turner with heartwarming moments sprinkled throughout. (Fiction. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2020) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 14, 2020

Gr 7 Up-Twins Audrey and Clare have been growing apart for a while, and it doesn't seem like high school is going to bring them any closer. Audrey is at a new school that has a better program for neurodiverse students, while Clare is struggling to maintain her popularity despite finding having little in common with her friends. Both twins are also grieving in their own ways for their brother, who died in a car accident a few months ago. Audrey knows that his death was her fault, and that Clare blames her too. Audrey also knows that if she can just get back to "normal" school with Clare, they can reestablish their bond and Clare will forgive her. She just needs to find a way to convince everyone else that it's a good idea. Meanwhile, Clare's grief causes her to withdraw from her normal life, and she pulls away more when she begins to explore her gender identity. Latos's character-driven narrative carries the twins along parallel paths. They fall in love, discover new passions, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves. As a second tragedy threatens, Clare and Audrey find their way back to one another. The straightforward writing allows readers to stand in the eye of a hurricane of issues, and depicts intersectionality so deftly that readers feel the chaos of Clare's thoughts and sympathize with Audrey's need to plan for every eventuality. VERDICT Highly recommended. Give this to readers who are looking for issues-based fiction and anyone who enjoys getting into a character's head.-Heather Waddell, Sargent Memorial Lib., Boxborough, MA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.