Infinite in Between

Reviewed by: Deidre Walsh - Goodall Memorial Library, Sanford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 14, 2015

Review

This is a story about the perils and pitfalls, highs and lows and joys and troubles of high school through the eyes of five different students, Whitney, Zoe, Mia, Jack and Gregor. They all meet on the first day of freshman year and become friends. They agree to get together after graduation to catch up and see what has happened in each of their lives. Written in the third person, each chapter is titled with one of the five students names and focuses on what that particular person is living and dealing with. The chapters are also sectioned off by the months of the year to show the natural progression of the school year. Life happens to these five friends. There are no truly big reveals, just everyday stuff that kids may deal with. Life's highs and lows, challenges, secrets, gifts, sorrows and happiness. Jake questions his sexuality. Gregor is in love with Witney. Witney is not as together as people think. Zoe is unsure of who or what she is. Mia struggles the most with many issues. Mackler writes in a casual, teen friendly voice, peppered with teen phrases, that gets to the heart of the characters and allows for a flowing story line. Through the progression of the individual chapters we see the good and bad of life for each of them and how they deal with the cards they have been dealt. Told with a realistic and humorous tone that makes it a joy to get to know these five people. There are the obvious themes of friendship, perseverance and doubt. But underlying all of that is that it is the seemingly little things in life that can greatly effect who you are and who you become. There is not much I didn't like about this book. But if I have to choose something I would have liked more backstory on each of the main characters. A bit more character development. Give to fans of Susan Colasanti, Jen Calonita and Sara Dessen.

Overall Book Score: very good