Kiss of Broken Glass

Kuderick debuts with a verse novel about a teenager’s cutting addiction, which is inspired by her own daughter’s struggle with self-mutilation. After 15-year-old Kenna is caught slicing up her body with the blade of a pencil sharpener in the school bathroom, she is thrown into mandatory 72-hour detention at the Adler Boyce Pediatric Stabilization Facility. Amid familiar descriptions of psych-ward woes and patients’ attempts to get out by faking compliance, Kuderick unpacks Kenna’s motives: jealousy of her older half-sister; the influence of the “Sisters of the Broken Glass,” a group of cutters at school led by Kenna’s best friend; a fleeting sense of euphoria and belonging that cutting brings; and “absolutely no reason at all.” At times, the theme of clueless adults versus angry, misunderstood kids can be heavy-handed, and references to Florida’s Baker Act (which allows for Kenna’s involuntary institutionalization) aren’t given much context. Nevertheless, Kenna’s situation and tentative steps toward recovery as she begins to face her demons may open the eyes of some readers. Ages 14–up. Agent: George Nicholson, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Sept.)