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Under the Light of Fireflies

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

A big-hearted coming-of-age debut about a tiger, a Russian, a model airplane, unexplainable disaster, and a bewildered twelve-year-old boy just trying to find his place in the world.

It's 1981 in Texarkana, Texas, and Noah Ellis is trying hard to remember. Still reeling from the loss of his father in a suspicious tragedy, Noah is in a tragedy of his own—one that results in another inexplicable death, this time leaving Noah to suffer from severe amnesia.

After that day, everything changes. Noah becomes an unwitting star in a highly publicized trial. Girls start to notice him, and kids who once bullied him now allow him to run with their pack—at a cost. Standing as always in his big brother's shadow, Noah also has a little sister he must look out for. But Noah's still stuck on that day and the accident he can't remember. As town secrets come to light and summer draws to a close, Noah must find a way to salvage all that he's lost, and to learn what is truly precious.

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    • Booklist

      Starred review from November 1, 2024
      Grades 6-9 *Starred Review* Debut author Sanders delivers a powerful, coming-of-age novel set in 1981 Texarkana, Texas. Twelve-year-old Noah Ellis is looking forward to summer, though he's still coping with his father's accidental drowning earlier that year. Early into vacation, Noah spends a day with Connor, a local misfit, which proves to be unexpectedly pleasant until a tragedy leaves Noah in the hospital with no memory of what happened. Fearing for Noah's mental health, no one will tell him how he ended up in the hospital. The tragedy thrusts Noah into a courtroom fiasco involving a Russian zookeeper, an escaped tiger, a sleazy lawyer, and a towering judge. In his vulnerable state, Noah begins to associate with a group of teenagers that terrorizes Texarkana. Trying to find his place within his family and community, Noah is tempted to join them--but doing so would force Noah to betray himself, his friends, and his family. Sanders weaves a perfectly paced, compelling novel that will challenge and ultimately reward readers. He doesn't shy away from discussing death, sexuality, gender roles, and other topics that become more pronounced for teenagers, and Noah's own complicated choices are handled with nuance. Sanders also captures the '80s beautifully, folding in references to social norms, such as smoking cigarettes indoors, and pop culture. All told, this is a home run.

      COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Languages

  • English

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