Unfolding

Gr 8 Up—A new title from the Schneider Award—winning author of Jerk, California. Jonah Everett's life changed forever the day Stormi literally dropped from the sky during a tornado. They were only babies then, but in each of the 17 years that followed, Jonah fell more in love with Stormi. They had a deep connection; Stormi saw Jonah for his true, whole self, not just as someone who has scoliosis and experiences seizures. After Stormi foretells an accident and a girl dies as a result, the entire town turns against her. But what is it that everyone is actually afraid of? Set in a dusty Oklahoma town, Friesen's latest title is overflowing with atmosphere and mysteries. There is a prison with only one prisoner, who has been there forever, and no one will discuss either him or his crime. There is a strange town council, The Circle, which wields a great deal of power. There is a cult, truly in the middle of nowhere, with ties to the town, and its members are willing to kill to keep a secret. The problem is, with a conspiracy around every corner, readers will likely find themselves lost before ever reaching the conclusion. What's meant to be ominous often comes across as odd, and many questions are never answered.