The Other Way Around cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Upper Grades (UG 9-12)
Book Level 5.5
Points 12.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 78077
Points per Word 0.000154
Page Count 288
Points per Page 0.041667

Description

To escape his offbeat family, Andrew accepts a ride from a band of street performers who get their food and clothing from Dumpsters, but he soon sees that one cannot outrun the past. The plot contains profanity, sexual situations, violence, and drug use.

Quick Summary

If you're looking for a story that mixes dark humor with raw, coming-of-age drama, Andrew's ride with a group of dumpster-diving street performers might just pull you in. He's trying to escape his offbeat family, but the ragtag crew he joins forces with forces him to confront who he really is, and the book never lets you forget that you can't really outrun your past, no matter how far you travel. The voice is sharp, witty, and unapologetically honest, making it easy to root for Andrew even when he's making questionable choices, and the mix of laugh-out-loud moments with surprisingly tender scenes gives the novel a rhythm that keeps the pages turning despite its length. Parents should know the story is packed with profanity, sexual situations, mild violence, and drug use, so it's best suited for older teens who can handle those themes. If you liked the blend of irreverent humor and emotional depth in John Green's *Looking for Alaska* or the gritty sibling dynamics of S.E. Hinton's *The Outsiders*, you'll probably find this one a solid pick.