All We Can Do Is Wait by Richard Lawson - NO

Lawson, Richard All We Can Do Is Wait, 275 pages. Razorbill (Penguin Random House), 2018. $18. Content: Language: R (109 swears, 50 “F”); Mature Content: PG-13 (sex, drug abuse, abuse, and sexting).

 A bridge in Boston has collapsed, so many family members are waiting for news of loved ones at a local hospital.  A group of teens: Jason and Alexa (siblings), Scott, Skyler, and Morgan gravitate to each other as they are all alone and anxious for the wellbeing of their loved ones. Over the long hours of waiting, these teens share their lives and secrets with each other.

From the premise of the book, I had hoped to find a book filled with courage, hope, and growth. While there are tidbits of those virtues spattered through the read, it was overshadowed by disturbing images. This book is a teenage soap opera.  It’s all about teenage angst. There is vulgar language and actions on almost every page of the book.  Every teen in this book faced major life issues. Although the book shows the good that can come of persons supporting each other in a crisis, much of the book was spent on all the sordid details of their lives. If this was intended to be a “coming of age” book, it missed the mark.

HS- NO. MOMMAC