You Don’t Know Me but I Know You

After learning that she’s pregnant, 17-year-old photographer Audrey Spencer faces overwhelming choices that will affect her future. With her dreams of art school and adventures with her friends and musician boyfriend, Julian, slipping away, Audrey reflects on her childhood and her relationship with her adopted mother, considers baby names with Julian, and researches the possibility of termination. As Audrey and her best friend Rose drift apart, both keeping heavy secrets, and Audrey pushes away others who care for her, she tries to find a middle ground between self-care and fear. A letter from Audrey’s birth mother plays an integral role in her decision, but the choice is ultimately what she believes is best for herself, Julian, and a potential child. Audrey’s emotions swing wildly; she alternately lashes out and seeks reassurance, candidly portraying the all-consuming and delicate nature of her situation and the choice she faces. Debut author Barrow opts for realism over a scared-straight approach to teen pregnancy, which readers will appreciate. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jennifer Johnson-Blalock, Liza Dawson Associates. (Aug.)