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Published in USA
Mar 2017
320 pages
Genre: Novels
Publication Information
From the author of Cracked and Empty comes a gripping, emotional story of two brothers who must make the ultimate decision about what's more important: family or their differences.
It's not Oscar's fault he's misunderstood. Ever since his mother died, he's been disrespected by his father and bullied by his self-absorbed older brother, so he withdraws from his fractured family, seeking refuge in his art.
Vance wishes his younger brother would just loosen up and be cool. It was hard enough to deal with their mother's death without Oscar getting all emotional. At least when Vance pushes himself in lacrosse and parties, he feels alive.
But when their father's alcoholism sends him into liver failure, the two brothers must come face-to-face with their demons - and each other - if they are going to survive a very uncertain future.
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"Starred Review. Saturated with emotion ... It's a heart-wrenching portrait of a dysfunctional family and its destructive force." - Publishers Weekly
"Although the plot and dialogue can feel manufactured and simplistic, characters and story are compelling. A sweet look at an end-of-life moment that offers surprise even as the inevitable unfolds." - Kirkus
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K.M. Walton is the author of Cracked, Empty, and Ultimatum . She is editing & contributing to the exciting new music-centered anthology Behind the Song. She is also the co-author of Teaching Numeracy: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking a book for mathematics teachers K - 8. As a former middle-school language-arts teacher she's passionate about ending peer bullying. She gives powerful school & University presentations on "The Power of Human Kindness." K.M. is a graduate of West Chester University and a PAWLP fellow. She lives in PA with her husband, two sons, and cat.
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