Biology Lessons

October 14, 2024
Kantor (Better Than Perfect) reflects on the ramifications of abortion bans in this timely Texas-set novel. “Science genius” and aspiring biologist Grace Williams is months from attending college in N.Y.C., when she finds herself boyfriend-less and pregnant. Grace’s conservative Texas hometown limits her options to adoption (which her parents don’t approve of) and teen motherhood (which Grace isn’t ready for)—unless she’s willing to cross state lines for an abortion. Through honest first-person narration peppered with mini biology lessons (“A semipermeable membrane formed between us”), Grace reckons with her pregnancy and ill-fated romance while planning a secret road trip to a New Mexico women’s clinic. Throughout, Grace interacts with intersectionally diverse individuals navigating similar situations, becomes refreshingly aware of her own privilege, and learns about abortion-criminalizing bounty hunter laws and the social and medical factors that complicate seeking healthcare. While discussions of the issues addressed feel somewhat surface-level, Kantor deftly grapples with teen autonomy, gender, and sexuality in an accessible, compulsively readable narrative. Grace cues as white. Back matter includes interviews with experts in law and social services. Ages 14–up. Agent: Rebecca Friedman, Rebecca Friedman Literary.

November 15, 2024
A teenager from Texas must figure out how to get an abortion. When high school senior Grace Williams starts tutoring Jack Nelson so he can keep his grades up and stay on the baseball team, she doesn't expect their sessions to go from helping with his biology class to kissing to having sex. But then Grace learns the unimaginable: She's six weeks pregnant--in Texas, a state with harsh abortion restrictions. Texas legislation could prevent her from getting an abortion or result in legal consequences for herself and anyone who helps her if she travels to another state to get one. Determined not to let her unplanned pregnancy ruin her dreams of moving to New York City and attending Barnard in the fall, Grace and her closest friends, Addie and Sebastian, devise a way to get her the healthcare she needs. Grace faces multiple roadblocks, including a judgmental doctor at a pregnancy crisis center and her family, who would never agree to her choosing to get an abortion. Grace's anger at the position she finds herself in sometimes comes across as surface level but largely feels very realistic. Her story makes for a compelling read that frankly acknowledges how and why a person might choose abortion and examines the ways that strict abortion laws can harm pregnant people. Grace and her friends are white. A quick, readable, and relevant novel. (author's note, interview with reproductive justice advocate Irma Garcia and reproductive law scholar Kimberly Mutcherson)(Fiction. 14-18)

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January 1, 2025

Gr 9 Up-A powerful and emotionally charged contemporary young adult novel that explores the complexities of friendship, reproductive rights, and the harsh realities of living in a world where bodily autonomy is under threat. The story follows Grace Williams, a high school senior in Texas, who faces an unplanned pregnancy after a romantic fling with a popular classmate. In a state where abortion is illegal, Grace's dreams of attending Barnard College and pursuing a future in biology seem shattered. With the support of her best friends Addie and Sebastian, she embarks on a dangerous journey to terminate the pregnancy. Kantor's writing is heartfelt and compelling, capturing the emotional turmoil of Grace's predicament with sensitivity and depth. The relationships between the characters-especially the unbreakable bond of friendship among Grace, Addie, and Sebastian-are beautifully portrayed. The novel's organization is clear, with each chapter unraveling new layers of Grace's emotional and physical journey. The pacing is well-balanced, building tension while providing moments of reflection on the themes of choice, courage, and loyalty. The book's exploration of timely social issues, especially in the context of contemporary debates around abortion, makes it a provocative read. VERDICT An essential and poignant novel that will resonate deeply with older teens navigating the complex world of relationships, identity, and social justice.-Gretchen Schulz

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