Recovery Road: By Blake Nelson

RECOVERY ROAD

SUMMARY

Madeline is sent away to Spring Meadows to help with a drinking and rage problem she has. It's a pretty intense place, but there is the weekly movie night in town--where Madeline meets Stewart, who's at another rehab place nearby. They fall for each other during a really crazy time in their lives. Madeline gets out and tries to get back on her feet, waiting for Stewart to join her. When he does, though, it's not the ideal recovery world Madeline dreamed of. Both of them still have serious problems. And Stewart's are only getting worse....

REVIEW

In case you didn’t get it from the title, Recovery Road is not a light book. It is dark, sad, and realistic. That said it is well written and riveting.

Recovery Road tells the story Madeline, a 16 year old (almost 17), who is recovering from drugs and alcohol at a rehab facility. The story spans three years and really focuses on the long and hard road to sobriety after returning to the real world. On the more traditional YA storyline, Madeline also becomes involved with a fellow recovering addict. The story followers their ups and downs, their adjustments, and the very different roads life can take us.

Nelson does a great job creating a brutal and realistic sight into the life of a recovering drug addict. Each of the chapters are relatively short allowing for the change in events and letting the book span 3 years. While Madeline’s situation might not be relatable to readers her frustration and sense of lack of control will strike home with many a reader.

All in all the story is gloomy, the chapters curt, and the characters well written. Because of this, Recovery Road is not for everyone. I would say those that are looking for a mature YA book, with developed characters and an interesting plot you’ll enjoy Recovery Road. If not, or if you're in elementary or early middle school then I wouldn't recommend this book for you.

RATING

8 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Published: March 1, 2011

Price: $17.99