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Review: The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride

Title: The Tension of Opposites
Author: Kristina McBride
Year Published: 2010

Genre: YA fiction
Pages: 277
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Location (my 2013 Google Reading map): USA (Ohio)


FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my school library

Summary (from the back of the book): Two years ago Noelle disappeared. Two long years of no leads, no word, no body. Since the abduction, Tessa, her best friend has lived in a state of suspended animation. She has some friends, but keeps them distant. Some interests, but she won't allow herself to become passionate about them. And guys? She can't get close--she knows what it is like to really lose someone she cared for. And then, one day, the telephone rings. Noelle is alive. And maybe, just maybe, Tess can start to live again, too. 

Review: This is one of those books that I've seen on our library shelves for a couple years but for some reason I've not read it until now. It just seemed to jump off the shelf at me a few days ago so it must have been the right time.

On the surface this book is about trying to regain a friendship after a two year absence. Not an easy task. But it is really so much more. Sorry to be so corny, but it's a tension of opposites...

How do you talk to a friend who was kidnapped? Tessa wants to know what happened to Noelle in captivity, but she really doesn't want to know because it's probably awful.

How do you help your friend adjust to a "normal" life without losing your own life in the process?

How do you date a boy you REALLY like when you've never dated before and aren't sure how to go about it?

How do you learn to trust people when the past two years you've been afraid of almost everyone?

How do you take photographs for a school art show when you aren't sure you want anyone to see them?

All of these questions (opposites) form the story of this beautifully crafted novel.

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