Love and First Sight

At the start of this engaging novel from motivational speaker and memoir writer Sundquist (We Should Hang Out Sometime), 16-year-old Will Porter enrolls at Toano High School. Blind since birth, Will knows that if he is going to become a journalist, he must prove that he can live independently in the sighted world. His first day is a fiasco, but Will acclimates quickly and befriends a girl named Cecily. Romance seems destined until Will undergoes a cornea transplant and discovers that Cecily hasn’t been entirely forthcoming about her appearance. Will’s trust in Cecily is shattered, and he’s left wondering whether their relationship is worth salvaging. The plot’s beats are predictable, and the interpersonal conflicts can ring false, but Sundquist writes eloquently about what it might be like for someone who was born blind to be given sight. He explores the physical, emotional, and psychological ramifications of Will’s change in a thoughtful and evocative manner, providing readers with a fresh perspective on how humans interact with each other and the world around them. Ages 12–up. Agent: Lucy Carson, Friedrich Agency. (Jan.)