Counting Scars
by Melinda Di Lorenzo
Category: YALSA
Summary
Counting Scars follows sixteen-year-old Adele Reimer as she is sent to a youth reform camp while her mother is in rehab and her father is unavailable. Adele’s only goal is to stay out of trouble, but things quickly get complicated when she becomes involved with two very different boys—quiet, mysterious Fergus and confident, charming Andy. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, Adele finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle where her choices could have life-threatening consequences.
Justification
Counting Scars is a high-interest, fast-paced novel aimed at teen readers who may be reluctant or building their reading skills. It fits well with the criteria for engaging reluctant readers—it's short, dramatic, emotionally charged, and easy to follow. The themes of trust, emotional healing, and personal responsibility are highly relevant to today’s teens, especially those facing family struggles or uncertain relationships. The book’s accessible language and quick pace make it an ideal bridge for readers who want compelling stories without being overwhelmed by dense text.
Reader Response
This book challenged and confirmed some of my views about trust, survival, and how teens often have to navigate adult problems far too early. Adele’s decision-making process is messy but real, which I respected. Her reflection—“Sometimes it’s not about what you do, it’s about what you survive”—hit hard for me as someone who has quietly survived magnitudes of trauma, which aligns with my belief that strength is often quiet and unseen. I appreciated how the story didn’t paint anyone as completely good or bad, showing how trauma and fear can twist people’s intentions. That said, I struggled with how quickly some characters earned or lost Adele’s trust. It reminded me that when you're vulnerable, even danger can feel like safety. I think the book succeeded in giving voice to a teen girl in crisis without sugarcoating her experience, and while the love triangle was a central plot point, it didn’t overshadow Adele’s growth. My overall reaction was a mix of shock and admiration—Counting Scars doesn’t waste a single page and leaves you thinking about how even temporary choices can leave lasting marks.
References
Di Lorenzo, M. (2022). Counting scars. Orca Book Publishers.
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