Saturday, March 7, 2020

The Art of Losing by Lizzy Mason

Title: The Art of Losing
Author: Lizzy Mason
Publisher: Soho Teen
Publication Date: February 19, 2019

Format: Hardcover
Price: $18.99
Page Count: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 9781616959876

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Harley's younger sister, Audrey, ends up in a coma after her boyfriend drove drunk and got into an accident, but she has no idea how to feel because she caught them together at a party.

Plot and Content Summary: Harley finds her younger sister, Audrey, and her boyfriend, Mike, together at a party, so she leaves in anger. Hoping to make matters right, Mike drives Audrey home—while he is drunk—and ends up in an accident, leaving Audrey in a coma. Mike comes out unharmed, and is unwilling to admit he has a drinking problem. At the same time, Harley reconnects with her neighbor, Raf, who has recently come out of rehab for alcohol and substance abuse, but still has a lot to come to terms with.

Evaluation: The Art of Losing was not only a book about sisters and forgiveness, but it also excellently tackles the reality and difficulties of alcoholism and addiction. Harley reconnects with Raf while she is grieving, and finds out that he, like Mike, is struggling with substance abuse. The difference with him, however, is that he is actually working to better himself and admit his wrongdoings. Mason does an incredible job at the different portrayals, and how everyone deals with it differently. We see how their decisions impact the people around them, positively and negatively.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: For teens who are struggling with any type of substance abuse, this is a book that they will relate strongly to. Raf and Mike are flawed characters, but there are still people who care about them and want to see them succeed. Even though they make mistakes, a new day is another chance. Hopefully, The Art of Losing will be a beacon of light in a dark place for these teens.

Issues Present: The Art of Losing brings up many difficult and controversial topics, drug/alcohol abuse (substance abuse) and addiction being a big focus. To counter any challenges this book might face, Mason leaves readers with information about dealing with substance abuse. In her author's letter, she talks about going through rehab herself and how Alcohols Anonymous saved her life. She knows the reality that many teens will turn to drug and alcohol for various reasons, but she stresses the importance of finding help.

Book Talk Ideas: "... this sobriety thing isn't a fun new group of people to hang out with; it's not about the parties or the all-nighters at the diner, and it's not just smoking cigarettes outside at meetings and goofing off. It's going to be a struggle for the rest of my life." (p. 282)

  • Compare and contrast the way Mike and Raf deal with substance abuse.
  • How do the people in Harley's life react to how she deals with Mike and Raf's issues?
  • Discuss how Harley's family and friends support her while she is supporting Mike and Raf.
  • How does Mike's drunk driving affect Harley and her relationship with Raf?

Genre/Subgenres: Realistic fiction

Readalikes: Crank by Ellen Hopkins, Paperweight by Meg Haston, Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

References
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