We Now Return to Regular Life

"We Now Return to Regular Life" is a compelling young adult novel that delves into the complex aftermath of a child's return after being kidnapped for three years. The story is told through the perspectives of Sam's older sister, Beth, who grapples with her family's refusal to discuss Sam's trauma, and his childhood friend, Josh, who harbors two major secrets: his burgeoning feelings for Sam and crucial information about Sam's disappearance. The book sensitively explores themes of trauma recovery, the challenges of coming out, the importance of allyship, and the impact of community judgment. It's suitable for ages 12-18, offering a thought-provoking narrative that encourages empathy and discussion around difficult topics like abuse, prejudice, and the long-term effects of trauma. Parents should be aware of the mature themes, which are handled with care but are central to the plot.

The Face on the Milk Carton meets The Impossible Knife of Memory in this ripped-from-the-headlines novel that explores the power of being an ally--and a friend--when a kidnapped boy returns to his hometown. Sam Walsh had been missing for three years. His older sister, Beth, thought he was dead. His childhood friend Josh thought it was all his fault. They were the last two people to see him alive. Until now. Because Sam has been found, and he's coming home. Beth desperately wants to understand what happened to her brother, but her family refuses to talk about it--even though Sam is clearly still affected by the abuse he faced at the hands of his captor. And as Sam starts to confide in Josh about his past, Josh can't admit the truths he's hidden deep within himself: that he's gay, and developing feelings for Sam. And, even bigger: that he never told the police everything he saw the day Sam disappeared. As Beth and Josh struggle with their own issues, their friends and neighbors slowly turn on Sam, until one night when everything explodes. Beth can't live in silence. Josh can't live with his secrets. And Sam can't continue on until the whole truth of what happened to him is out in the open. For fans of thought-provoking stories like The Face on the Milk Carton, this is a book about learning to be an ally--even when the community around you doesn't want you to be.