Publishers Weekly Review
| Seventeen-year-old Harper Proulx is practiced at internet sleuthing, taking Instagram selfies that make her look adventurous and approachable, and interacting with her steadily growing social media following. She's not so good at being present in the world without her phone, which she uses to help allay her fears surrounding Covid, distract herself from her mother's perfectionism, and idly search for her sperm donor father. When someone who inexplicably looks just like Harper contacts her via Instagram, she learns that she has three half siblings: Dario, Simone, and Wyatt, all conceived from the same sperm donor as Harper. Together, the teens become embroiled in an epic pursuit for their biological father that leads them to Hawaii. Excerpts from 19th-century letters, journals, and newspapers included at the beginning of each present-day chapter detail a seafaring expedition whose inclusion--and subsequent narrative convergence--is both mysterious and enthralling. It's impossible not to cheer for Harper's sincere voice as she comes into her own, working to overcome her fears, manage her anxieties, and stop hiding in plain sight. Caletti's (One Great Lie) bighearted novel, which endorses the wonders of being present in the world rather than existing exclusively online, uses two seemingly perpendicular voyages to expertly navigate themes of belonging, connection, family, and identity. Most characters cue as white; Simone's Israeli and French mother has dark skin. Ages 14--up. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Sept.) |
School Library Journal Review
| Gr 8 Up--In the midst of the pandemic, Harper Proulx's life revolves around her boyfriend Ezra, what ifs, photo filters, and the calm reassurance she receives from likes and comments on Instagram. One day she gets a comment: "you look just like my friend, Dario." This isn't the first time it's happened. She keeps a journal filled with notes on these people and what she knows about MF--her Maybe Father. She reaches out to Dario, who, like her has auburn hair and blue eyes, and the two meet up. They exchange notes and he tells her about the others. Up until this point she's only used social media to appear as though she's taking risks, but an unexpected break up with Ezra leads her to start taking real ones. Stepping outside of her comfort zone and into a world of unanswered questions, Harper goes on a trip with Dario and some of her half-siblings to Maui where her biological, sperm-donor father is apparently living. Through this novel about overcoming fear and expectations, Caletti examines what makes a person--is it their DNA, their lived experiences, or the family who raised them? She takes a critical look at the role and impact of technology and social media on the mental health of teens and shows what can be gained by stepping away and being present. Harper's relatable thoughts and anxieties mirror that of many teens before and during the pandemic, with and without similar family structures. VERDICT Reminiscent of Natasha Friend's The Other F-Word and Robin Benway's Far From the Tree. Highly recommended.--Alicia Kalan |
