In this futuristic, yet realistic, novel, teenage Liberty goes to live with her grandmother after her mom is sent to prison. Liberty moves into a small impoverished town. In a very cliche high school, Liberty gets a boyfriend, makes enemies and friends. Also, the town has a company that is excavating the top of a mountain for coal. As Liberty settles into her new life, she discovers that the digging of the mountain and the air pollution that is created because of this digging is causing the towns folk to become sick. When her grandmother becomes sick, Liberty struggles to manage school, her grandmother’s health and the taking down of the excavation company.

This books deals with issues that are not usually found in a YA novel: cancer, poverty, and pollution. Liberty is portrayed as a very strong character; one that is trying to do it all. The reader will react compassionately to the events and resolutions of each of the main issues. The writing is thought-provoking; it connects the reader with different aspects of society compared to what a teen reader normally reads. Also, if the reader does live in a town such as Liberty, then he/she will feel that they are not alone. This compelling book will have the readers look at society in a different light.

— Natalie S.