Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Mar 2019
432 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
A captivating and powerful exploration of the opioid crisis - the deadliest drug epidemic in American history - through the eyes of a college-bound softball star.
When a car crash sidelines Mickey just before softball season, she has to find a way to hold on to her spot as the catcher for a team expected to make a historic tournament run. Behind the plate is the only place she's ever felt comfortable, and the painkillers she's been prescribed can help her get there.
The pills do more than take away pain; they make her feel good.
With a new circle of friends - fellow injured athletes, others with just time to kill - Mickey finds peaceful acceptance, and people with whom words come easily, even if it is just the pills loosening her tongue.
But as the pressure to be Mickey Catalan heightens, her need increases, and it becomes less about pain and more about want, something that could send her spiraling out of control.
BookBrowse Review
This gritty YA novel raises awareness regarding the topical issue of opioid addiction in a clear and graphic manner. With an only slightly contrived set of circumstances, Mickey goes from star softball athlete to heroin addict in a matter of months. Although the premise was believable, Mickey was a difficult character to relate to or root for, and was surrounded by cast of one-dimensional supporting characters.
Other Reviews
"Starred Review. A cautionary tale that exposes the danger of prescription medications by humanizing one victim of America's current epidemic." - Kirkus
"Starred Review. From the horrific first line to the hopeful yet devastating conclusion, McGinnis knocks it out of the park. A first purchase for all libraries serving teens." - School Library Journal
"[A] realistic portrayal of how easy it is to develop an opiate addiction and the very real consequences of addiction. A timely and important message for teens everywhere." - Booklist
This information about Heroine was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Mindy McGinnis is the author of several young adult novels, including A Long Stretch of Bad Days, The Last Laugh, The Initial Insult, Heroine, The Female of the Species, and A Madness So Discreet, winner of an Edgar Award. She writes across multiple genres, including postapocalyptic, historical, thriller, contemporary, mystery, and fantasy. While her settings may change, you can always count on her books to deliver grit, truth, and an unflinching look at humanity and the world around us. Mindy lives in Ohio.
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