The Art of Us

When teenage Ireland Raine’s father walks out on her again, she struggles to maintain an air of normalcy. Unhoused and only 17, Ireland stays quiet about her situation and continues to attend high school; her goal is to turn 18 and graduate before anyone notices her predicament. She flies under the radar until she befriends heartbroken newcomer Kal Ellis, who discovers her situation after catching her stealing food. Because Ireland reminds him of his late ex-girlfriend Brell, he can’t ignore his desire to help her. After he secretly confides in art teacher Mr. Wasden, Kal hatches a plan that results in Ireland temporarily moving in with rich bully Mara Washington. As the teens are forced to confront difficult truths, they begin to see each other in a new light. Wright (Swimming in a Sea of Stars) fluidly handles sensitive subject matter surrounding death, parental neglect, and housing insecurity. Through the characters’ dynamic interactions, Wright injects the narrative with humor and familiar teen antics that prevent the challenges addressed from seeming bleak or hopeless. The protagonists cue as white. Ages 14–up. (Nov.)