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A List of Cages
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When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he’s got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn’t easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can’t complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, and Adam discovers that the boy is Julian—the foster brother he hasn’t seen in five years. Adam is ecstatic to be reunited. At first, Julian seems like the boy he once knew. He’s still kindhearted. He still writes stories and loves picture books meant for little kids. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets, like where he hides during the middle of the day, and what’s really going on inside his house. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives…
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This book literally squeezed my heart so tight it ached long after I finished it. You know the feeling? That sinking pit in your stomach; the sudden urge to cry; the emotions of anguish and of hope. Most importantly though, the power of love, friendship, and healing. This is an emotionally heavy book but other parts are more lighthearted through Adam’s character; who also makes an excellent role model for kindness and empathy.
As a previous foster parent, I was truly moved by this story. The ending lacks an epilogue, but you do get a glimpse of Julien’s future and we aren’t left with a cliffhanger. This to me, felt the most authentic of all. Healing takes different forms and various measures of time and I think that’s exactly the message the author was trying to portray in the end.
The author also does a fantastic job latching you on to every single page that you literally cannot put it down.
Favorite quote:
“Hate ricochets, but kindness does too.”
PARENTS:
Since this is marketed as a YA book, I feel it necessary to mention a few things for young readers. I would classify this as an “Upper Grade” level book and would not recommend for children younger than 14. The writing style is simple, but physical child abuse and psychological torture are central to the plot, some of which is depicted graphically and might be hard for sensitive readers. No sexual abuse is involved.
