In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner is a beautiful tear jerker that touches upon just about everything important in life. It’s one of the 2024 Nutmeg high school nominees.
Cash and best friend Delaney receive an incredible offer to attend a private school in Connecticut. This entails leaving their home in Tennessee. This is especially difficult for Cash. He was raised by his grandparents, and he knows his grandfather doesn’t have much time left. He also doesn’t feel worthy of this offer.
Once at the private school, Cash explores life away from everything he’s ever known. Despite a cruddy roommate, he finds friendships, a sport he enjoys and an introduction to poetry class that profoundly impacts him. He also finds love.
This book is beautifully written. Countless lines grabbed my attention. Loss, change, integrity, friendship, family, nature, poetry and religion are all explored in some manner and the combination resonated with me.
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