REBEL AT SPRUCE HIGH is the next upcoming book in the Spruce, Texas series. It follows introverted gamer and Biggie's Bites employee Toby as he enters his senior year at Spruce High. The arrival of a gorgeous, leather-jacket-clad new student has the whole high school abuzz with rumors and scandal - especially when the bad boy sets his eyes on Toby.
My Rating - 5 Stars!
Rebel at Spruce High is a mesmerizing young adult romance by Daryl Banner. The fifth book in the Spruce Texas Romance series, it's everything I was hoping it would me. As an avid fan of young adult, coming of age tales, I was elated to get a chance to read this book.
This book does justice to many of the issues facing teenagers today. It also does a fabulous job illustrating that people's action aren't always motivated by what one would assume. I couldn't be more impressed by the way the author handles this.
If you've been reading the Spruce Texas series, you'll adore the appearances of many past characters. It's just fabulous. Making it even better though is the way the author handles them. I was actually confused at one point thinking "No! No! Please don't make me hate this character!"
Toby is the bullied boy at school. He's a total outcast, starting the new school year without all his friends who graduated. His bullying is front and center throughout, making some tough to read moments. Seriously, if bullying is a hard no for you, skip this book.
When he meets the new boy at school, Vann, he never expects the way the two will forever change each other.
Both Toby and Vann are outcasts, even at home. But together they find friendship, acceptance, confidence, and love. They each teach important life lessons to each other. Their journey towards mending relationships, learning to love oneself, and finding a purpose, is both long and beautiful.
The writing is amazing. Written in alternating 1st person pov, the emotions jump off the pages. Fear. Discomfort. Anxiety. Want. Confidence. Rage. Heartbreak. Devastation. Rejection. Love.
The most impressive aspect of this story is the multi-layered way different actions, emotions, and motivations are addressed. As the mom of two teens, I know first hand how teens react to things, taking them personally. It's great to see how different characters feel about the same moment. The author gives us these multiple perspectives and he does so in an impressive manner.
Rebel at Spruce High is the perfect choice for when you're in the mood for a heartwarming, young adult read. Daryl Banner is stellar in exploring the complexity of issues facing teens today, and illustrating the difficulty of relationships, whether it be family or friends. I couldn't put it down. I would highly recommend this to anyone, and find it would be a great read for teens as well as adults.
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