Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Trans teen seeks justice in gory Appalachian thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In COMPOUND FRACTURE, Miles Abernathy sneaks out to a party on the night he comes out as trans to his parents. Carrying photos proving the local sheriff's involvement in the so-called "accident" that injured Miles' dad, killed others and left a child disfigured, Miles is determined to stop the generational blood feud that haunts his rural West Virginian hometown. Finding out about the photos, the sheriff's son and his cronies corner Miles, beating him within an inch of his life. Later, when Miles accidentally kills one of his attackers, he faces a choice: remain silent and continue to suffer under the corruption that plagues Twist Creek County, or stand up and fight back.
Is It Any Good?
Compelling and intense, this book handles complex personal and social issues with honesty and grace. While Compound Fracture is dark and brutal, it is also beautifully crafted, putting you right into the head and heart of the main character, Miles Abernathy. The story weaves together the challenges of coming out as trans, living in poverty, and contending with the ongoing violence and oppression of a corrupt system, resulting in a tense thriller with a great deal of personal introspection. Add the discovery of living with a mental illness, the fear of your family being hurt because of your actions, and the historical conditions that led to the current exploitation that Miles and his community suffer under, and you have a book perfect for teens and adults pushing for radical change. While the amount of violence is hard to read at times, it brings up important questions about how to fight back against oppression and the importance of community.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
What do you think about the generational violence that plagues Miles and his family? Many times Miles talks about families that chose to leave. What do you think about his decision to stay and fight?
What do you think about how Miles chose to come out to his family? Do you think his mom made the right call about how to tell the rest of the family?
What do you think about the end of the book? Do you think the situation has been resolved?
Do you think Paul was lying when Miles gave him the chance to leave?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Activism
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Peachtree Publishers
- Publication date : September 3, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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