Holly

After the death of his mother, 16-year-old Troy Stotts leaves his emotionally absent father behind at their ranch to spend the summer with friends Tom Buller, Gabe Benavidez, and Gabe’s sister Luz on the Benavidez ranch in the mountains above Los Angeles. A western in the tradition of Wallace Stegner or James Galvin, Smith’s debut novel is at once spare and lyrical, the story’s landscape unfolding around the reader with each sentence. With clear, calm language, Smith crafts an explosive story, a deeply sophisticated and timeless coming-of-age tale. Ages 14 & up. —Holly & GA