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Description
Ty is very proud of his father's accomplishments as a U.S. Army sergeant, but when a brain injury and partial paralysis sends his father home in a wheelchair, Ty finds it hard to balance his school and social life. The coauthor is Brent Chartier.
Quick Summary
If you're looking for a quick read that actually makes you think, Ty's journey in Collateral Damage hits that sweet spot. The story follows a high-schooler whose dad, a proud Army sergeant, comes home after a brain injury that leaves him partially paralyzed, and Ty has to figure out how to keep his grades up, stay on the football team, and still be there for his dad without losing himself. It's got that blend of everyday teen drama school gossip, sports, friends mixed with the tough, sometimes funny, sometimes raw reality of watching a parent struggle with a wheelchair and therapy. There are moments that made me laugh out loud (Ty's sarcasm is spot-on) and moments that felt really honest about the stress of being a teen caretaker, so it's a good choice if you like stories that feel real rather than overly dramatic. Parents might appreciate the respectful look at military families and the way the book shows how a teen can cope, but there are a few scenes of hospital stuff and frustration that could be intense for very sensitive readers. If you liked The Honest Truth, this one's worth picking up.