We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
There are many good things about this book. The writing, the friendships, the depiction of high school for a normal student, relationships in a divorced family, some racial diversity without calling it out.
Nell and Layla have always been close. For younger sister Nell, the relationship has bordered on obsession. Layla is growing up and becoming detached from her younger sister and while Nell is trying to let her go, she’s worried. Soon we find out there’s a good reason to worry.
Nell is also growing up and starting to do things on her own, with her own personality and activities. She’s trying to be supportive of her sister, but something is just not right. When Layla finally confides in her, she keeps the secret but knows she shouldn’t and it puts a lot of stress on her.
Nell makes a decision and does something about it rather than allowing a bad situation to go on until its natural conclusion. I like this because it shows teens that doing something hard will not end their world.
A couple of things that distracted me: dead brothers as advisers, student teacher romance seemed a little cliche, the “we’re so connected I thought we shared a name” thing, that their parents were always giving them money. Nothing I couldn’t get over though. Fans of realistic fiction will love this book.
Living in Color 
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