The Day Before
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the teen characters in this story are completely on their own for 24 hours or so, trying to find some peace before each faces an eventful, life-changing day. Amber leaves without her parents’ knowledge, though she does let them know what she’s up to; on the whole, she and Cade behave responsibly and maturely. In the end, there is a positive message about finding solace in friendship and family, and appreciating that life is an unpredictable mix of good and bad.
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What's the story?
Amber slips out of her house to take a day to herself. It’s her last day before she leaves, against her will, for six months with her birth parents. She was switched at birth in the hospital, a discovery her birth parents made when the daughter they were raising fell ill and died. Amber seeks a day of solitude, but falls in with Cade, a handsome, enigmatic boy who seems just as lost and scared as she is. As they cautiously share their secrets and grow ever closer, they dread the next morning and struggle to decide whether to face it or flee.
Is it any good?
This is a trifling pleasure, but a pleasure nonetheless. The plot evokes soap operas and made-for-TV movies, and the central conflict in Amber’s life is revealed slowly, through verse and a series of letters between her and her family. Pervasive pop culture references -- to music, movies, and candy -- substitute for depth and serve as shorthand as Amber and Cade build their relationship. Even so, readers will likely be drawn in, and they will find Amber’s voice authentic. Teens will appreciate her ability to focus on what she needs to do to face an uncertain future.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about books and movies that take place in one day. What others can you think of? Why do you think this is a popular set-up?
What other switched-at-birth stories can you think of (like Switched at Birth)? What is appealing about playing with this idea?
Book details
- Author: Lisa Schroeder
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Simon Pulse
- Publication date: June 28, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 320
- Last updated: June 19, 2019
Our editors recommend
For kids who love romance
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