#AmReading YA

The Lightness of Hands
Jeff Garvin
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Ellie Dante is desperate for something in her life to finally go right. Her father was a famous stage magician until he attempted an epic illusion on live TV—and failed. Now Ellie lives with her dad in a beat-up RV, attending high school online and performing with him at birthday parties and bars across the Midwest to make ends meet.

But when the gigs dry up, their insurance lapses, leaving Dad’s heart condition unchecked and forcing Ellie to battle her bipolar II disorder without medication.

Then Ellie receives a call from a famous magic duo, who offer fifteen thousand dollars and a shot at redemption: they want The Uncanny Dante to perform the illusion that wrecked his career—on their live TV special, which shoots in Los Angeles in ten days.

Ellie knows her dad will refuse-but she takes the deal anyway, then lies to persuade him to head west. With the help of her online-only best friend and an unusual guy she pairs up with along the way, Ellie makes a plan to stage his comeback. But when her lie is exposed, she’ll have to confront her illness and her choices head-on to save her father—and herself.

Her father was a rising star on the magic scene until he attempted a grand illusion, The Truck Drop, on live television and failed. Since then, a lot had changed. Her father had fallen from grace, and Ellie's life had become less stable. Though she was struggling with managing her bipolar disorder, she knew she had to help her dad redeem himself. This would be their last shot, and Ellie was determined to help her dad reclaim the magic that had once destroyed him.

I must admit, I was very intrigued by this book. I thought Garvin's debut was phenomenal, and I couldn't wait to read more of his work. From the first page, I was all in. I was so absorbed in Ellie's story, that I raced through this book, my heart wishing the best for her and her dad. Upon finishing, I declared this "stupendous", and here are five reasons why.

1. Ellie was phenomenal! She had lost so much, and was not dealt the best hand in life, but she persevered. I will always root for someone, who never gives up. But, it wasn't just her keep-going attitude, that made me love her. It was that she pushed forward, when it seemed like the universe was conspiring against her. She lost her home, her mom, and even her health insurance. They lived day to day, hoping for another gig, hoping her bipolar disorder would stay in check as the medication worked its way out of her system. She really had a full plate of worries, but she never gave up, that gave her a sort of hero status with me. 
2. Though it was bumpy, Ellie shared a special relationship with her father. It was the two of them against the world, and although her dad failed to meet her basic needs at times, there was always love. This may have been Ellie's coming of age story, but it was also her dad's wakeup call. His call to step up, and be the parent she needed. To stop chasing his dream, and make the sacrifices necessary for his family. 
3. I was so happy to see many different types of relationships explored in this book. I loved the friendship between Ripley and Ellie. Ripley was Ellie's best friend, who she had never met in real life, but was her source of support as she weathered all her storms. It's wonderful to see online friendships being validated, but also showing how they can have their ups and downs too. Ripley and Ellie experience a rough patch during her race to Hollywood, and it was realistic, both in the troubles they encountered, and the way it was resolved. There was also a bit of time dedicated to an adorable romance with someone from Ellie's past. It came in and out of the story, but it was a part I looked forward to, and I wanted Ellie to have that experience. It became important to me, and I was glad Garvin included it. 
4. Garvin did an incredible job helping me understand what it was like living with bipolar II disorder. I wasn't aware this was an Own Voices book, when I read it, but found out later in the author's note, that Garvin himself, was bipolar. I always appreciate, when someone can share part of themselves with me, and that is probably why Garvin was so successful at weaving Ellie's symptoms and emotions relating to her mental illness into this story. He showed how her bipolar disorder affected her thoughts and relationships, and made me clearly comprehend the challenge each day could present to someone with this disorder. 
5. The magic! Though I know it's all illusion and slight of hand, I am still always enthralled with magical spectacles. Garvin painted this world, vividly and in full color for us, and I loved being fully immersed in it. 

Fantastic characters, rich emotional experiences, and a realistic picture of what it's like to live with bipolar II disorder made this a magical journey worth taking.

The Easy Part of Impossible
Sarah Tomp
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: HarperTeen
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

After an injury forces Ria off the diving team, an unexpected friendship with Cotton, a guy on the autism spectrum, helps her come to terms with the abusive relationship she’s been in with her former coach.

Ria Williams was an elite diver on track for the Olympics. As someone who struggled in school, largely due to her ADHD, diving was the one place Ria could shine. But while her parents were focused on the trophies, no one noticed how Coach Benny’s strict rules and punishments controlled every aspect of Ria’s life. The harder he was on her, the sharper her focus. The bigger the bruise, the better the dive. Until a freak accident at a meet changes everything. Just like that, Ria is handed back her life, free of Benny.

To fill her now-empty and aimless days, Ria rekindles a friendship with Cotton, a guy she used to know back in elementary school. With Cotton, she’s able to open up about what Benny would do to her, and through Cotton’s eyes, Ria is able to see it for what it was: abuse. Then Benny returns, offering Ria a second chance with a life-changing diving opportunity. But it’s not hers alone—Benny’s coaching comes with it. The thought of being back under his control seems impossible to bear, but so does walking away. How do you separate the impossible from the possible when the one thing you love is so tangled up in the thing you fear most?

Ria had dedicated years and countless hours in her quest to be the best diver. After abruptly quitting the sport, she was lost.  Renewing her friendship with cartographer pal, Cotton, helped her map her way back to herself and her passion. 

I cannot hold it in any longer! I absolutely fell in love with this book, and I sort of don't even know where to start explaining why I loved it. So, let's start with Ria. Ria had been through so much, and it pained me to hear about all the things that had happened to her.

Here was this girl, with ADHD, who had struggled in school, but had finally found an outlet and a place where she could succeed. At the pool, Ria was a star, but it came at a cost. Her coach was possessive and controlling, and ultimately, physically and emotionally abusive. His behaviors were revealed over the course of the book, and with each flashback and revelation, Ria tried to justify or explain it away. She practically had battered woman syndrome or Stockholm syndrome, and it was heartbreaking. He stole something she loved from her. He took her trust and her passion, and while he was at it, he took her self esteem. Ria was convinced that the only was to escape Benny was to give up diving, which was her oxygen, her lifeblood, but thank goodness Cotton re-entered her life, and helped her see things through a different lens.

Dear, sweet Cotton. Just thinking about him brings a smile to my face. His passion for map making and spelunking was contagious, and it was such an interesting part of this story. However, even without those things, he was a wonderful character. He was gentle and kind, and he was able to see the truth in a situation. He also loved fiercely, and was protective of those he cared for. I was so happy Ria had him in her corner, because she really needed someone, who could truly see her, and be there, as she tried to overcome the scars of her past.

And did I mention what an adorable little romance Tomp gave us? I was shipping Ria and Cotton from the get, and it was beautiful watching their relationship take shape and grow. These two went back a long way, to the resource room in grade school. Both Ria and Cotton were neurodiverse (ADHD, ASD), and their past was something that bound them together. Their interactions were sweet, awkward, and honest, and they never failed to make me smile.

I must confess, there was a small thing that bothered me. I felt like Tomp planted some seeds relating to a subplot, and then just abandoned them. I think I may have been really disappointed, because I wanted them to lead to something. But, alas, they did not.

Still, this was wonderful story of a young women finding the strength to confront her abuser, and reclaim what was rightfully her's. Tomp handled the heavier topics with care, and did a phenomenal job balancing out the sad and weightier parts with some really sweet and joyful parts.

It wasn't always easy, but in the end, Ria's journey came to a satisfying new beginning.

**ARCs received in exchange for honest reviews.

Do you enjoy magic?
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