We Didn't Ask for This

Parents need to know that We Didn't Ask for This is YA novelist Adi Alsaid's lively take on edgy, impassioned activism, crushes, charisma, and determination, set in an international school for privileged kids located in an unnamed tropical country. Alsaid spins an engaging ensemble cast of ethnically and sexually diverse teens grappling with assorted coming-of-age issues at a much-anticipated annual lock-in night at the school. The event quickly becomes something else entirely when five of the teens, determined to stop the destruction of coral reefs, chain themselves to the doors and lock everyone up for real as they issue demands. There's not much diversity of viewpoint: The notion that this is anything other than heroic behavior on their part is only expressed by cartoonishy jerky characters, even as the hostage situation continues over a week. Meanwhile, everyone else -- students, teachers, school staff -- all either fall under leader Marisa's charismatic spell or find a way to make the best of the situation with booze, newfound romance, and other diversions. Several characters sustain serious injuries, including one that requires a steady series of painkillers from the (also imprisoned) school nurse. Frequent strong language includes "f--k," "s--t," and "piss," and there's a recurring theme of the protesters peeing and pooping in buckets. Two teen same-sex couples bond and fall in love, though more kisses are dreamed of than actually occur.