A List of Cages: 05/27/17

A List of Cages by Robin Roe is a young adult novel told in alternating points of view: Julian and Adam. Julian is a freshman and Adam is a senior.

Adam has ADHD but has learned how to manage it. Julian has dyslexia and anxiety. Back in elementary school, Adam was assigned a reading buddy with Julian — a program done at my children's elementary school too.

Julian, now in high school, though is having trouble. He doesn't have friends. He's frequently absent. The school counselor can't seem to get him to come to his sessions. So she gives the task to Adam — for class credit. And that's what brings the two together again.

The introductory chapters give the impression that A List of Cages will be a run of the mill ADHD story with Adam teaching Julian how to cope. Except it isn't. The ADHD and the dyslexia are really minor details to a much larger, more compelling tale of loss, friendship, and child abuse.

It's mostly Julian's story — but Adam's point of view is necessary to get the big picture. Julian's world is so small — from his attempts to cope with his anxiety, to how his uncle is treating him, to his own shyness.

Five stars

Comments (2)

Comment #1: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 12:11:55

Dragonfly

OMG I want to get to this one soooo badly!! ADHD ! like me :)

Comment #2: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 09:22:00

Pussreboots

You should. It's a page turner. Have tissues on hand if you're one to cry when reading.