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These Things I've Done

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

A haunting and beautiful YA novel that is perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Jessi Kirby, These Things I've Done is the story of a seventeen-year-old girl who accidentally caused her best friend's death and, a year later, is still grappling with the consequences.

"A beautiful, wrenching depiction of loss, the aftermath, and an unexpected ray of light in the darkness. These Things I've Done is equal parts heartfelt and heartbreaking, and absolutely unputdownable." —Gina Ciocca, author of Last Year's Mistake

"These Things I've Done is a raw and beautiful story about recovering and moving on in the aftermath of a tragedy, about the moments when self-forgiveness and peace feel unattainable. Dara's journey through this struggle is compelling and deeply affecting. Her story will stay with readers long after the last page." —Charlotte Huang, author of For the Record and Going Geek

BEFORE: Dara and Aubrey have been inseparable since they became best friends in sixth grade. Dara is the fearless one, Aubrey the prodigy, yet despite their differences, they support each other unconditionally. However, as they begin their sophomore year of high school, cracks in their friendship begin to form, testing the bond they always thought was unbreakable.

AFTER: It's been fifteen months since the accident that killed Aubrey, and not a day goes by that Dara isn't racked with guilt over her role in her best friend's death. Now, after spending a year away from home in order to escape the constant reminders of what happened, Dara is back at her old high school to start her senior year. Dara thought the worst thing about coming home would be confronting the memories of Aubrey that relentlessly haunt her, but she soon realizes it isn't half as difficult as seeing Ethan, Aubrey's brother, every day. Not just because he's a walking reminder of what she did, but because the more her feelings for him change, the more she knows she's betraying her best friend one final time.

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    • Kirkus

      May 15, 2017
      Dara becomes a pariah after accidentally killing her best friend, but she earns the trust of the one person she thought would never talk to her again.Dara Shepard earned the nickname "Dare-ya" for a reason--she'll walk across the monkey bars barefoot and wants to be a crime-fighting, back-flipping cop. But after she playfully shoves her best friend, Aubrey, who trips and is crushed by an oncoming truck, she will never be the same. Phillips' novel follows Dara as she returns to her hometown after spending junior year living with her aunt and uncle. As she faces harassment at school (people sticking cruel, accusatory cartoons in her locker) and struggles with her constant guilt, she befriends the one person she thought could never forgive her: Aubrey's younger brother, Ethan. This tender novel explores the challenging themes of grief and deep, overpowering regret--how can you live after causing the death of one of the people you love the most, even accidentally? While some of her classmates' bullying seems a bit extreme given the context of Aubrey's fall, this book successfully showcases how Dara navigates her daily guilt, her conflicted feelings toward Ethan, and the range of reactions around her. The principal characters all appear to be white. The novel also shines a light on more typical high school dramas--a secret crush on a friend's boyfriend, overbearing parents--and readers can't help but sympathize. (Fiction. 14-18)

      COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • School Library Journal

      July 1, 2017

      Gr 9 Up-Dara accidentally killed her best friend Aubrey. After 15 months away, she has returned to her hometown to face family and friends who may never forgive her, including the boy who almost came between her and her best friend. Complicating matters further are her feelings for Aubrey's younger brother Ethan. No longer the tag-along sibling, Ethan has grown into an interesting person in his own right, and Dara finds him far more attractive than she might wish. But will Ethan accept her, or will he hate her forever? And would Aubrey understand this one last betrayal? The buildup to the explanation of Aubrey's accident is well done, but the ending feels somewhat anticlimactic. Dara and Ethan come across as realistic teens, while their parents are slightly stereotypical and their emotions and motivations seldom explored. The plot is relatively simple, and there is no major crisis, beyond a redemptive one near the end, but the minutiae of teen life are authentic and engaging. Readers will root for Dara and hope that she absolves herself and reestablishes important relationships. VERDICT An additional purchase for most school and public library YA collections.-Katherine Koenig, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

      Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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