Grapefruit Moon

Two Belfast teens face quiet crises in this introspective novel from McMillan (Every Sparrow Falling). Academically gifted Drew is attending Henry Cooke Academy for his A-levels. He’s welcomed by classmate Charlotte and her circle, who explain the social hierarchy. They warn him of the Stewards, an exclusive group of boys with special privileges currently run by Charlotte’s ex-boyfriend Adam. Drew’s crush on Charlotte despite his having started dating her friend, tensions with his former mates, and his ex-girlfriend’s unexpected pregnancy with her new boyfriend complicate things. Meanwhile, Charlotte takes lessons from a drag queen to amplify her performances in a poetry slam competition while hiding Adam’s harassing messages and implied threats of releasing a sex tape of him and Charlotte. After Drew is inducted into the Stewards, he makes a painful mistake while drunk, and Charlotte slowly gains the courage to speak up for herself. Later plot points, including a school trip to Granada, offer new resolve for Drew and Charlotte, making for a delicate and candid depiction of two teens’ efforts to shape their uncertain futures while navigating weighty issues such as financial insecurity, sexual violence, and teen pregnancy. Major characters cue as white. Ages 16–up. (June)