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A review by kaje_harper
If I Should Stumble by Al Stewart, Claire Davis
5.0
This intense YA story reminds us of the risks refugees face, and the trauma that's often present in their past, even after they make it to our safer shores. Kaz arrived in the UK almost a year ago, from a place where being gay could mean a lynch mob at your door. He's safe now, but he doesn't feel safe. And along the way, he lost so much - his family, his running teammates, friends he found in mutual need, and the running coach who saved him by making him go.
Kaz is silent, and private, and he's taught himself to put a bright smile on top of his pain. He drinks to forget both his losses and how badly he's fitting in to his new life. The people who are trying to give him new skills don't understand why he's failing, why he can't seem to try harder, but he's on his last chance with the residence he's in. He figures he's going to fail, until Tork is assigned as his peer mentor. Tork sticks close, covers for him, and won't give up on him. And then one day, Tork volunteers him to coach his and Adam's charity running team. And something so integral to who Kaz once was threatens to break the walls he has erected around his past.
Zach was pleased but surprised to be asked by his friend Adam to be on the charity team. He has a great heart and wants to help, but he's a baker, and he's overweight and very far out of shape. He figures running is a lost cause, until Kaz arrives, with an enthusiasm and can-do attitude that won't take "I can't run" for an answer.
Both young men have something to offer that the other needs, but Kaz's traumas, and Zach's self-doubts, are a lot to overcome. This story was painful, and real, subtle, and lovely. It paints a clear and heart-opening picture, without filling in every detail. The emotions ring very true.
(Although listed as a book 3, this could be read as a stand alone, since the MCs of the first two are secondary.)
Kaz is silent, and private, and he's taught himself to put a bright smile on top of his pain. He drinks to forget both his losses and how badly he's fitting in to his new life. The people who are trying to give him new skills don't understand why he's failing, why he can't seem to try harder, but he's on his last chance with the residence he's in. He figures he's going to fail, until Tork is assigned as his peer mentor. Tork sticks close, covers for him, and won't give up on him. And then one day, Tork volunteers him to coach his and Adam's charity running team. And something so integral to who Kaz once was threatens to break the walls he has erected around his past.
Zach was pleased but surprised to be asked by his friend Adam to be on the charity team. He has a great heart and wants to help, but he's a baker, and he's overweight and very far out of shape. He figures running is a lost cause, until Kaz arrives, with an enthusiasm and can-do attitude that won't take "I can't run" for an answer.
Both young men have something to offer that the other needs, but Kaz's traumas, and Zach's self-doubts, are a lot to overcome. This story was painful, and real, subtle, and lovely. It paints a clear and heart-opening picture, without filling in every detail. The emotions ring very true.
(Although listed as a book 3, this could be read as a stand alone, since the MCs of the first two are secondary.)