BLAKE

The story follows 17-year-old Blake Dockins in the immediate aftermath of protecting his classmate Zonta Jones from being sexually assaulted by fellow football teammate Carlos, a teen he’d considered his friend, in the girls’ bathroom at school. Although he’s injured from the encounter, Blake is mostly concerned about how the incident will be seen by his peers. He made some racially insensitive comments in class several months ago and many classmates rightfully regard him with open disdain; he ruined his chances with his crush, Emma Tang-Lee, and soured his friendship with another girl. Some classmates reluctantly see him more positively after his intervention in the assault, but his wrestling and football teammates freeze him out for the same reason. Blake has long tried to keep his diagnosed autism a secret by working to fit in with his fellow athletes. However, he’s starting to have doubts about their sense of right and wrong. As Blake tries to repair his damaged relationships with peers outside sports, he may successfully make amends––and make a genuine friend or two. Tillit manages to cover a surprising amount of ground in this slim tome, not only developing Blake as a character but also subtly including references to previous installments without losing new readers. The cast of teens come from diverse backgrounds, and they also offer readers a peek into the diversity of thought that exists among today’s American youth as they deal with issues surrounding racism, sexual harassment, academic stress, drug abuse, housing insecurity, and more over the course of the series. Readers will likely find themselves engaged with Blake’s personal journey, and other characters’ plotlines are equally compelling, resulting in a gritty but hopeful coming-of-age novel.