BookPage Teen Top Pick, January 2017
Julian and Adam are friends turned brothers by way of tragedy. Though years apart in age and on opposite ends of the personality spectrum, the boys bond over their shared disabilities, their respect for one another’s differences and the fact that they save each other’s lives—more than once.
Adam is a charismatic high school senior with ADHD. Julian is his shy and sweet former foster brother, an incoming freshman with dyslexia. Prior to the start of school, the last time they’d seen each other was five years ago, when Julian’s parents died in a sudden and horrific car accident. Back then, Adam cared for Julian like an older, patient brother, helping him cope with his tragic loss. That was until Julian’s uncle showed up out of nowhere and ripped him from the safe and healthy life he’d had with his foster family. Julian’s strict uncle has no patience for his “odd” behavior, his quietness or his appreciation for children’s books. And even though everything looks fine to outsiders, all of Julian’s pain is boxed up and pushed beneath the surface. When Adam finally begins to notice the signs, it falls to him to save the sensitive Julian from a dangerous home.
Debut author Robin Roe drew from experiences counseling and mentoring at-risk teens to create A List of Cages. In the same vein as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, this is a raw and eye-opening story, destined to spark important and necessary conversations.
ALSO IN BOOKPAGE: Read a Q&A with Robin Roe for A List of Cages.
Justin Barisich is a freelancer, satirist, poet and performer living in Atlanta. More of his writing can be found at littlewritingman.com.
This article was originally published in the January 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.
