Shane Dakota's world is falling to pieces. He's just moved over Christmas break from North Carolina to the very strange mountain land of Utah. Suddenly Shane's grandparents are raising him and he's spending way too much time teaching his grandpa about Netflix while learning more than any seventh grader ever should about pickleball.
But even Shane knows those aren't his biggest problems. His mother, a member of the National Guard, has just passed away and Shane is struggling with the truth. Plus when the holiday break ends, Shane has to walk into a huge new school with a story, a secret, and a fresh scar on his right cheek. Shane tries to fit in, but he can't stop thinking about his mother, wondering about a father he's never even met, and remembering the bizarre accident in North Carolina that sent his world spinning.
Just when it all feels upside down, Shane makes friends with his new neighbors Kabir, Ink, and a crew of almost-famous YouTubers. Shane even scores a new nickname - Scar - and he actually likes it! But just as Scar finally finds his place, he betrays a friend and receives a mysterious text message that threatens to expose his secret.
Can Scar face the truth about friendship and his family in front of the entire seventh grade on the biggest stage he's ever seen? Will he learn lessons about the power of religious and cultural diversity in time?
More than anything, Scar must learn that everyone has scars, and if we choose, they have power to become beautiful.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Wright's novel starts with the death of 12-year-old Shane's mother, immediately diving into his considerable shock and grief. As he moves to Utah with his grandparents, the plot picks up, drawing in a myriad of moving parts. The pacing is easy to follow and readers will find the story engaging.
Prose: Shane's voice is strong, both in his grief and in his wise observations of the world around him. The prose is interesting and multilayered, always hinting at the deeper currents driving this poignant story.
Originality: Scar Dakota is ambitious, but Wright's character study of Shane is sharp and nuanced, addressing themes that will appeal to a YA audience.
Character/Execution: Wright's characters possess their own quirks, each growing substantially throughout the novel, though Shane transforms the most: from broken and lost to inspiring and strengthened, his character takes shape and will appeal to readers.
Date Submitted: July 03, 2024
