Things We Couldn't Say
Books | Young Adult Fiction / Family / Parents
4
(75)
Jay Coles
From one of the brightest and most acclaimed new lights in YA fiction, a fantastic new novel about a bi Black boy finding first love . . . and facing the return of the mother who abandoned his preacher family when he was nine.There's always been a hole in Gio's life. Not because he's into both guys and girls. Not because his father has some drinking issues. Not because his friends are always bringing him their drama. No, the hole in Gio's life takes the shape of his birth mom, who left Gio, his brother, and his father when Gio was nine years old. For eight years, he never heard a word from her . . . and now, just as he's started to get his life together, she's back.It's hard for Gio to know what to do. Can he forgive her like she wants to be forgiven? Or should he tell her she lost her chance to be in his life? Complicating things further, Gio's started to hang out with David, a new guy on the basketball team. Are they friends? More than friends? At first, Gio's not sure . . . especially because he's not sure what he wants from anyone right now.There are no easy answers to love -- whether it's family love or friend love or romantic love. In Things We Couldn't Say, Jay Coles, acclaimed author of Tyler Johnson Was Here, shows us a guy trying to navigate love in all its ambiguity -- hoping at the other end he'll be able to figure out who is and who he should be.
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More Details:
Author
Jay Coles
Pages
308
Publisher
Scholastic Press
Published Date
2021
ISBN
1338734180 9781338734188
Community ReviewsSee all
"This book soo good. It was soo authentic, relatable, and bittersweet. It just can't be put into words how beautiful it is."
Big Booty Fish
"Loved the book so much. With so many lovable characters and stories it’s easy to fall in love with everyone. The relationship between Gio and the people he considers family is something that I wish we could see more in Media these days. "
Jeremiah Goard
"Yall this book was so good i literally sat in tears and at other times i was on the edge if my seat chewing on my fingernails so good recommend 100 percent"
lol lmao
"Life is tough, but it’s particularly tough when you’re a teenager. In this novel, we meet Gio, a young, Black, Bi teen our main character (yay!) who is on a journey to feel comfortable in his own skin, and his identity. Written through his point of view, which is so significant because it gives the reader a unique insight to his thoughts, and feelings. I love first person narrative!<br/><br/>After Gio’s mom abandoned him and his family 8 years ago, there’s been a part of his life missing, a part of his life she took when she left, and he never quite came to terms with her departure, and then she returns into their life, but he’s not quite ready to forgive and forget.<br/><br/>He wants to understand, and with the support of friends, and family Gio seeks answers, but is he ready to know the truth?<br/><br/>During this important event, someone new moves in across the street, David. They quickly become friends, and Gio begins to feel something different for David. He wonders, does David feel the same? <br/><br/>Such a wonderful story about love, friendship and family, written in a beautifully, and heartfelt manner that will stay with us for a long while. You’ll find there’s also more important topics within this book, that are so important to bring to YA novels, and equally important for us readers to read more about, and understand. Topics like racism, mental health, death, grief, among others. <br/><br/>This cover is especially fitting, with “Gio” and the golden accents. I can’t wait to reread this one!"
Ellie