Review by Booklist Review
Grace Williams did not foresee that agreeing to tutor Jack Nelson in AP Biology would end in a road trip from Texas to New Mexico in order to access abortion care. But there is no question when her pregnancy test is positive--with her plans to attend college next year in New York City, a baby is not an option. Between potential criminal charges and predatory crisis pregnancy centers, Grace's stressed uncertainty permeates the narrative as she scrambles to navigate her state's total abortion ban. The unwavering support of Grace's two best friends is integral to the progress she does make, providing a strong example for teens in similar situations. Although Grace is fully aware that living in Texas is why she cannot access adequate medical care, her deep affection for her home state flags only momentarily. Through Grace's eyes, the reader is introduced to a Texas rarely seen in popular media: a diverse, beautiful tapestry of people, many of whom are capable of a tremendous amount of empathy. Interestingly, this is partially due to the realistic, matter-of-fact way that Grace understands where her family's love and support ends. This unfiltered glance at the realities of a post-Roe era strikes the perfect balance between storytelling and sharing information, all without casting judgment.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Kantor (Better Than Perfect) reflects on the ramifications of abortion bans in this timely Texas-set novel. "Science genius" and aspiring biologist Grace Williams is months from attending college in N.Y.C., when she finds herself boyfriend-less and pregnant. Grace's conservative Texas hometown limits her options to adoption (which her parents don't approve of) and teen motherhood (which Grace isn't ready for)--unless she's willing to cross state lines for an abortion. Through honest first-person narration peppered with mini biology lessons ("A semipermeable membrane formed between us"), Grace reckons with her pregnancy and ill-fated romance while planning a secret road trip to a New Mexico women's clinic. Throughout, Grace interacts with intersectionally diverse individuals navigating similar situations, becomes refreshingly aware of her own privilege, and learns about abortion-criminalizing bounty hunter laws and the social and medical factors that complicate seeking healthcare. While discussions of the issues addressed feel somewhat surface-level, Kantor deftly grapples with teen autonomy, gender, and sexuality in an accessible, compulsively readable narrative. Grace cues as white. Back matter includes interviews with experts in law and social services. Ages 14--up. Agent: Rebecca Friedman, Rebecca Friedman Literary. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--A powerful and emotionally charged contemporary young adult novel that explores the complexities of friendship, reproductive rights, and the harsh realities of living in a world where bodily autonomy is under threat. The story follows Grace Williams, a high school senior in Texas, who faces an unplanned pregnancy after a romantic fling with a popular classmate. In a state where abortion is illegal, Grace's dreams of attending Barnard College and pursuing a future in biology seem shattered. With the support of her best friends Addie and Sebastian, she embarks on a dangerous journey to terminate the pregnancy. Kantor's writing is heartfelt and compelling, capturing the emotional turmoil of Grace's predicament with sensitivity and depth. The relationships between the characters--especially the unbreakable bond of friendship among Grace, Addie, and Sebastian--are beautifully portrayed. The novel's organization is clear, with each chapter unraveling new layers of Grace's emotional and physical journey. The pacing is well-balanced, building tension while providing moments of reflection on the themes of choice, courage, and loyalty. The book's exploration of timely social issues, especially in the context of contemporary debates around abortion, makes it a provocative read. VERDICT An essential and poignant novel that will resonate deeply with older teens navigating the complex world of relationships, identity, and social justice.--Gretchen Schulz
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A teenager from Texas must figure out how to get an abortion. When high school senior Grace Williams starts tutoring Jack Nelson so he can keep his grades up and stay on the baseball team, she doesn't expect their sessions to go from helping with his biology class to kissing to having sex. But then Grace learns the unimaginable: She's six weeks pregnant--in Texas, a state with harsh abortion restrictions. Texas legislation could prevent her from getting an abortion or result in legal consequences for herself and anyone who helps her if she travels to another state to get one. Determined not to let her unplanned pregnancy ruin her dreams of moving to New York City and attending Barnard in the fall, Grace and her closest friends, Addie and Sebastian, devise a way to get her the healthcare she needs. Grace faces multiple roadblocks, including a judgmental doctor at a pregnancy crisis center and her family, who would never agree to her choosing to get an abortion. Grace's anger at the position she finds herself in sometimes comes across as surface level but largely feels very realistic. Her story makes for a compelling read that frankly acknowledges how and why a person might choose abortion and examines the ways that strict abortion laws can harm pregnant people. Grace and her friends are white. A quick, readable, and relevant novel. (author's note, interview with reproductive justice advocate Irma Garcia and reproductive law scholar Kimberly Mutcherson)(Fiction. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
