Months after surviving a grizzly bear attack, Abby returns to her old life as a popular, pretty high-school student. Only the person that she is now mid, frail, and ashamed of her reconstructed face esn't fit into the space she left behind. In the weeks leading up to her graduation, she must find out who her real friends are, regain lost confidence, and perhaps even rekindle the spark of love she once shared with the now distant Liam. Baugh, for the most part, is patient in how she unfolds Abby's return to life om the merciless teasing at the hands of an ex-boyfriend-turned-bully to the way even those who care for her recoil at her presence. While the book does contain a few plot points that are a bit strained (the aforementioned bully), it nevertheless impresses in its quietest moments when Abby is allowed to meditate on her frustration and despair, and, in turn, her determination and strength. A poignant and inspiring character portrait, Abby's story will resonate with anyone who has survived a traumatic event.

A girl returns to high school with permanent disfigurements from a bear attack.With only four months left in 17-year-old Abby Hughes' senior year, she returns anyway—despite being terrified. After months of hospital recovery and many surgeries, Abby can walk and speak, but her face and body are severely scarred, and she has physical pain and dysfunction. This is the story of a regular teenager, once a pretty girl—who was also a mean girl—accepting a new reality. It's also a story of bullying; attempted sexual assault telegraphed miles in advance; parental alcoholism cured by romance; and Abby's former boyfriend, who was attacked alongside her but has gone radio-silent. The Rocky Mountains loom large in this quiet, mostly white southwestern Alberta community. Abby processes her trauma through an intense focus on grizzlies, including videos of violent bear attacks. Abby's New Age-y grandmother calls grizzlies her talisman, referring to unspecified ancient world traditions. Debut author Baugh gives her protagonist no characterization or individuality beyond the core plot point. Related in dull prose, the messages are overt and trite, placing responsibility for bullying onto the disfigured person herself ("You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce.") The book follows a white default.Despite a pressing need for protagonists who have disfigurements that aren't symbolic, skip this predictable and flavorless attempt. (Fiction. 14-17)