
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with an impending life change, such as a family move, graduation, or the end of a significant relationship. It captures the unique ache of knowing that the world as you know it is about to disappear, providing a safe space for teens to process the 'lasts' of their childhood. The story follows Keeley Hewitt in her small town of Aberdeen, which is slowly being reclaimed by water due to persistent flooding. While the government prepares to evacuate and demolish the town, Keeley and her friends decide to make their final days unforgettable. It is a poignant exploration of grief, first love, and the complicated loyalty we feel toward the places that shaped us. While it touches on the sadness of loss, the book ultimately celebrates the resilience of the teenage spirit and the importance of making every moment count.
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Sign in to write a reviewFrequent depictions of underage drinking and high school parties.
Characters navigate rising floodwaters and crumbling infrastructure.
Teenage romance, pining, and kissing.
The book deals with the loss of home and community through a secular, realistic lens. While there is no primary character death, there is a pervasive sense of grief and 'pre-mourning.' It also touches on teenage rebellion, alcohol use at parties, and the stress of economic displacement. The resolution is realistic and bittersweet: the town is lost, but the characters carry their memories forward.
A high schooler who feels like their world is ending: perhaps due to a move, the 'senior year' blues, or a breakup: and needs to see a protagonist who is messy, impulsive, and ultimately resilient in the face of loss.
Parents should be aware of scenes involving underage drinking and party culture, which serve as the characters' coping mechanisms. These scenes offer a good opening to discuss healthy vs. unhealthy ways to handle stress. A parent might reach for this after seeing their child become uncharacteristically reckless or withdrawn when faced with a major life transition, or if the child is struggling to pack up their room for a move.
Younger teens (12-14) will focus on the romance and the 'cool' factor of the parties. Older teens (16-18) will likely connect more deeply with the existential dread of leaving home and the complexity of parental relationships during a crisis.
Unlike many 'disaster' novels, this isn't an action-thriller. It is a character study that uses a slow-motion natural disaster as a metaphor for the end of adolescence.
Aberdeen is a town that has finally succumbed to the elements. After years of flooding, the government has decided to buy out the residents and flood the valley permanently. High schooler Keeley Hewitt is determined to live it up during the town's final weeks, leading to a series of increasingly reckless parties and a desperate attempt to win over her longtime crush, Jesse Scott. As the water rises, Keeley must face the reality that her family, her friendships, and her home are all changing forever.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.