When Reason Breaks
by Cindy L. Rodriguez
Elizabeth Davis has an anger problem. Emily Delgado is struggling with her family and personal life. Both are smart girls, with the potential to be great adults. The two immerse themselves in their English class where they have begun to learn about the poet, Emily Dickinson.
But the struggle with life, love, and identity, the two struggle to find purpose and a will to live. Thrust together, the girls attempt to help one another through the pain, but by the end of their story, one girl will attempt suicide.
This story is not for the faint of heart. Rodriguez weaves an incredible realistic tale of two girls, outwardly appearing one way, but struggling to breathe on the inside. The reader meets emo chick Elizabeth, whose anger gets her in trouble on a daily basis. One would almost expect that she is contemplating suicide. And on the other spectrum is Emily--a girl of relative wealth, family power, intelligence, beautiful, and popular. I love that the author picks BOTH ends of the spectrum to reach out about suicide.
Another great thing about this book is the idea of hope. The girls' English teacher provides them with hope, and an outlet for their overwhelming sadness. The girls actually speak to one another, and end up with a strange, unspoken language between the two of them that speak volumes to their characters. And of course, is there hope for those who do contemplate suicide?
This is a great book for those who have read 13 Reasons Why. Rodriquez will terrify you, but also show you the light at the end of the tunnel. I will admit that this book is the first book in years, where I have actually shed tears while reading.
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