School Library Journal (Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2016)

Gr 8 Up-Day is searching for herself and trying to deal with some major changes in her life. When she comes across a shy teenage boy, Julian, who is about to shoplift cans of tuna in a minimart, she knows there must be more to the story, but she doesn't expect the police to come to her door later asking about him. The police say Julian murdered his parents and escaped from a juvenile detention center. He is sick and starving but not armed and dangerous. Day decides to hide Julian while she checks into what really happened the night that Julian's mother drowned and his father was murdered. The novel is told mainly from Day's point of view, with Julian's journal entries filling in the blanks. Day is described as having a passion for photography, and the book's title reflects that. However, her photography interest does not seem to add anything to the narrative. This element will leave readers wondering why the book is named after something that seems so incidental. The characters are a little unconvincing at times, and plot threads seem to start and end quickly throughout. Still, this is a quick novel and may keep reluctant readers engaged. VERDICT Not a must-have for most collections; purchase where accessible mysteries are needed. Danielle Fabrizio, Swanton Public Library, VT

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

The daughter of social-justice-crusading parents, 16-year-old amateur photographer Day O-Connor takes up the cause of a teenage convict on the run in this uneven mystery. After Day spots a handsome, disheveled boy with a familiar-looking face in a local Massachusetts convenience store, she learns that he is Julian Roman, 16, accused of killing his parents and escaping a nearby juvenile detention facility. Day hides Julian in her parents- barn while she aims to learn more about his case; Julian is predictably reluctant to share his feelings with Day, who is excited to have found a cause célèbre to rival those that take up more and more of her mother-s time. Julian recounts his own version of the events leading to the deaths of his abusive father and depressed mother in italicized chapters, which makes his tape-recorded interviews with the eager Day feel like overkill. While readers may unravel the whodunit before Day does, Stolarz (Welcome to the Dark House) creates some genuinely emotional scenes and thorny dilemmas for her characters. Ages 14-up. Agent: Kathy Green, Kathryn Green Literary. (Oct.)

ALA Booklist (Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2016)

In this suspenseful crime thriller, 17-year-old Day, a burgeoning activist and photographer, finds a teenage alleged murderer hiding in her family's barn and decides to help clear his name. Julian claims to be innocent of his parents' murders, and Day immediately believes him (though why, aside from his attractiveness, is unclear). Day is keen to make her mark on the world, given that her parents are influential social-justice crusaders. As Day investigates, moving from basic Internet research to confronting witnesses and suspects, she uncovers pieces that don't fit the case against Julian, but don't exonerate him either. Julian's traumatic homelife is revealed through his journal entries and interview transcripts with Day. Day's choices are dangerously naive, though she's described as smart and capable, and her romance with Julian seems unnecessary, as do her friends' trivial school dramas. However, Day's relationship with her divorcing parents, directly linked to her desire to do good, is sensitively handled. The mystery has a fast pace and successful red herrings that will keep readers wondering about Julian's innocence.