_When We Collided_ by Emery Lord

I read this book because it was a Lincoln Award finalist for 2018. It's not in my usual wheelhouse, I tend to shy away from books that are modern realistic fiction romance. But I ended up loving this book because I loved Vivi and her personality.

Let me take a moment to plug YA book awards. Being on the selection committee of the Lincoln Award is one of the most exciting and rewarding things I do all year. If your state has a similar program, I cannot more highly recommend applying to participate. And in my state (Illinois), teens participate as well, so encourage your students to apply!

Revealing Character

I think Betty keeps words like sugar, darlin', and honey etched on a pair of dice in her mind. With each customer interaction, she shakes one or both dice to land on a single word or a combo: honey pie, sugar darlin', doll baby. I like to hear who I am each day. The term of endearment is like a fortune cookie at my favorite Chinese restaurant; it's not why I go there, but it makes the experience a touch sweeter. p3-4 When We Collided by Emery Lord

Oh, honestly, can't a gal do something for the hell of it? p8 When We Collided by Emery Lord

She looks like lemon meringue pie tastes. Sunny, tangy, sweet. p24 When We Collided by Emery Lord

My mom believes in the inherent worth of instincts, like self-reliance as a way of transcending. She encourages my creativity, my impulses, my me-ness. To a point, I guess. "I'm proud of the person you are, and I do trust you. But I have to watch over you because you are my baby, and I will always need to protect you, even when it makes you mad at me." p40 When We Collided by Emery Lord

My mom said she'd be home late. But, even after our fight, I won't be surprised if she has a few glasses of champagne and goes home with another tortured artist. I'll get a regret-filled text message by midnight, but it won't be so regretful that she changes her mind. I'm not judging her-- I don't want to sound like I am--because I understand; I do. My mom wants someone to love her, and I recognize that having a daughter who loves you is not enough and that she craves to be adored by a steady, interesting, kindhearted man. I'm not saying I think going home with randoms is the best way to figure it out, but it might be fun and it's certainly better than staying home and meeting no one. p137 When We Collided by Emery Lord

Small Towns

"Well, take my word for it. You're a lucky guy, like every-single-number-on-the-lottery's-winning-ticket lucky. Not many people get to have their whole childhood in a place so beautiful. Or so small and kind that you tell people your name once and they actually commit it to memory." p27 When We Collided by Emery Lord

On my quick walk home, I'm sure of my choice to not know Jonah's secrets. I've been through a lot in the past year, too, and I would never want someone handing out my personal information like it's a flyer to a concert or a coupon for a new restaurant. Those are my truths to disclose in my own time, if I ever do at all. p34-35 When We Collided by Emery Lord

Death and Loss

Felix is my dad's best friend. Was. No--is. I never know which tense is right. When someone dies, that person no longer is your best friend. He was your best friend. But when you're the person left here, like Felix is, you're still in the present tense. Like I am. Tony Daniels was my dad. But I am his son. p43 When We Collided by Emery Lord 

Word Choice

I like how Lord shows us here what's really happening by word choice. It's a tiny thing, but it conveys the world as it truly is. Bold indicates where I'm talking about.

By the tie I'm near them, Silas's pitch connects with Isaac's bat, and Silas misses the catch, pretending like he made an honest effort. p45 When We Collided by Emery Lord

Girls

With three sisters, I know girls aren't that mysterious. They're just people. I used to talk my friend Zach through this like, Dude, just ask her questions like you would anybody. What's she interested in? What does she care about? It's not that hard.  p50 When We Collided by Emery Lord

**Any mistakes in the quotes are my own. Let me know if you see any and I'll fix them.**


 

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