Somebody that I used to know A novel

Gr 9 Up--Dylan Woods spends most of her days practicing violin and preparing for the audition that is her one-shot at her dream school--Julliard. As a Black girl adopted by a white family, Dylan loves them very much, but she has never felt entirely content; maybe that's why she straightens her hair and wears extensions and colored contacts. She knows there is something more out there than small-town Iowa and hopes to find it in New York City. Then Dylan's parents announce that her ex-best friend, Langston, the one who ghosted her when he moved to Los Angeles when they were 12 and became the bestselling R&B artist Legendary, is going to stay with them for two weeks. Everyone in the family but Dylan is ecstatic. Legend wants to prove to her that he has changed and is no longer the out-of-control star plastered all over the tabloids, but Dylan isn't sure. Even when he pulls out their childhood bucket list in hopes of completing it with her, she is not entirely convinced. Yet the more time they spend together, the more she realizes she cares for him, and hopes he cares for her, too. Davis thoughtfully tackles the complexities of transracial adoption, friendship, and not giving up yourself for love. VERDICT The nuances in the book make it compelling and a one that many teens won't be able to put down.--Rebekah J. Buchanan

Two musicians find their ways back to each other. As a Black girl adopted by a White family, Dylan has always felt like an outsider in her small town. She feels like a piece of her is missing but thinks she will find her place when she is accepted into Juilliard's music program. When her ex--best friend, who ghosted her six years ago, temporarily moves into the family basement--her practice room--for unknown reasons, Dylan's perfectly planned senior year gets hijacked. Langston, who now goes by Legend, has become an R & B superstar, but lately he has been in the tabloids for all the wrong reasons--parties, fights, and a car accident. His mom now has a conservatorship and will only agree to his upcoming world tour if he proves to her that he has his life under control. Legend hopes that returning to Iowa and fixing things with Dylan will show that he has changed his ways. He wants them to complete their childhood bucket list, but between practicing the violin for three hours a day and not trusting him, Dylan struggles with taking a chance. Davis meaningfully explores the complexities around transracial adoption in ways specific to the Black community. Dylan's friends are well developed and contribute to the storyline and growth of both main characters. The evolution of Dylan and Legend's relationship is a nice, slow burn. A textured story of going from friends to something more, complete with a happily-ever-after. (Fiction. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.