Author: Chris Baron
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 288
Release Date: 13/Jun/23
Reviewer: Kathie
THE GRAY was one of my most anticipated books of 2023, but I needed to wait until I was in the right headspace to read it because books that focus on anxiety can be triggering for me. I knew I was in excellent hands with this author, though, as his writing about tough topics is honest, sensitive, and heartfelt. After a difficult school year of bullying and overwhelm, Sasha's parents want him to regroup by disconnecting from his phone and video games. They send him to stay with his aunt in the country for the summer, but The Gray, one way Sasha experiences anxiety, follows him. Not only is Sasha faced with the absence of his uncle, who passed away a couple of years ago, but he makes an enemy of one of the local kids and faces more bullying. Fortunately, Sasha also makes new friendships, including with a horse named Duke and a boy facing his own inner struggles. He also discovers Krav Maga, which gives him new coping strategies for his emotions. Sasha's supportive network accepts him for who he is, which also helps him learn to accept himself.
I most enjoyed how the author vividly describes Sasha's experiences with anxiety and the practical tips he shares and reiterates throughout the story. Whether or not a reader has experienced something like The Gray, they will walk about from this book with a better understanding and empathy for those who do, which is a priceless gift to those of us who struggle with anxiety and how others see it.
This book deserves all the buzz and praise it's received, and I highly recommend you add it to your TBR lists, classrooms and libraries.
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