The Secret History of Us

Gr 9 Up—The survivor of a near-fatal car crash, Liv Jordan is a miracle. After awakening from a medically induced coma, Liv is diagnosed with "posttraumatic retrograde amnesia." Although the bruises and physical pain serve as an unpleasant consequence of her past and present, Liv finds her inability to remember even harder to deal with. Reliant on her family, best friend Paige, and boyfriend Matt to "fill in the gaps," Liv isn't sure who she really is. Forced to piece together memories from her photography, the reactions of others, and a bystander video of her presumed death and resurrection, Liv slowly realizes that she was on the precipice of change long before the accident that robbed her of her memory. When Liv attempts to locate her rescuer, a former classmate with a traumatic past, she is unexpectedly drawn to him. This is a coming-of-age story wrapped in mystery with a hint of romance. Liv's circumstances and her search for self are allegorical and parallel many young adults' experiences. First loves, breakups, dissolution of friendships, and the pursuit of passions are explored. Liv's journey toward self-realization unfolds authentically and in a way that will resonate with teens.