Picture Us In The Light

YA fiction

     When I was reading 📚 one of the final chapters of Kelly Loy Gilbert's Picture Us In The Light a Shakespeare quote popped into my head.  

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave

When we endeavor to deceive!"

If you mean by deceive protect a loved 😍 one from dangerous truths rather than scam, you've pretty much captured the theme of this most excellent book.

     When you meet protagonist Danny he seems to have it made in the shade.  He's gained early acceptance to his dream 💓 college, Rhode Island School 🏫 of Design.  His parents are proud 👏 and excited.  He's even had some of his work accepted for a local gallery showing.  He's part of a loyal friend group.  What could possibly go wrong?

     A lot it seems.  The first signs of trouble begin to show up at 🏡 home.  His father loses his professional job and starts looking for manual labor rather than anything requiring higher education.  The family moves from their nice up scale neighborhood to a one bedroom apartment in a sketchy town.  And there are mystery documents Danny discovers that vanish after his father refuses to discuss them.

     Danny's friends are coming up on an anniversary their school seems to hope nobody remembers: the death by suicide of one of their group, Sandra.  Regina, who was Sandra's closest friend, wants to put in a memorial in the closest edition of the school paper, something they aren't going to run by the faculty advisor.

     "Our gamble is that the administration will let it go.  (And maybe a part of Regina's gamble, I think, is that they'll feel shamed by the knowledge that they would've stopped us if they'd known about it.  Or maybe she doesn't care either way, maybe she wouldn't mind getting in trouble for it.)"

     Picture Us In The Light is a thought provoking, engaging read for its target demographic and way beyond, particularly for the many whose dreams and sense of security have been at least temporarily derailed by forces beyond their control.

On a purrrsonal note, Thursday was my second internship supervisor Ben's farewell party.  It was a bittersweet occasion.  We enjoyed the party but will really miss Ben.  (Jules)

It's still raining 🌧 on and off.  They say tomorrow will actually be a dry day.  (Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to Ben with best wishes that their new home will be a great place for him and his family professionaly and personally.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway 

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