Tradition

Brendan Kiely — 2018

“Deeply felt, powerful, devastating and, ultimately, hopeful.” — Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything and The Sun Is Also a Star “Powerful and necessary…an important, timely book.” —Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be “A story that belongs in every library.” —School Library Journal (starred review) “A thoughtfully crafted argument for feminism and allyship.” —Kirkus Reviews From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Brendan Kiely, a stunning novel that explores the insidious nature of tradition at a prestigious boarding school. Prestigious. Powerful. Privileged. This is Fullbrook Academy. Jules Devereux just wants to keep her head down, avoid distractions, and get into the right college, so she can leave Fullbrook and its old-boy social codes behind. Jamie Baxter feels like an imposter at Fullbrook, but the hockey scholarship that got him in has given him a chance to escape his past and fulfill the dreams of his parents and coaches, whose mantra rings in his ears: Don’t disappoint us. As Jules and Jamie’s lives intertwine, and the pressures to play by the rules and to keep the school’s toxic secrets, they are faced with a powerful choice: remain silent while others get hurt, or stand together against the ugly, sexist traditions of an institution that believes it can do no wrong.

Reviews

Tiffany Robinson@movietiffany

Dec 14, 2021

I really thought I was going to like this story. It sounded so interesting and it did have a few moments that I enjoyed but mostly I was just disappointed.

Candyce Kirk@thebookdutchesses

Dec 9, 2021

This book takes place at Fullbrook Academy and it's a school full of traditions. Except not the traditions that are the good kind. Teachers look the other way when students do things they shouldn't, boys take what they want from girls and don't even look back and trying to prepare girls for health and other things that are very important is frowned upon. Tradition really left an impression. It shows in many ways how society can be. If a person has money, who cares what they do? Especially at an academy like Fullbrook. All the teachers look the other way and pretend like they don't see a thing. Students have parties in the woods close by and even have drugs and alcohol sent to them by mail. How can the teachers just turn and look the other way? Even when one of the main characters tries telling others she was assaulted, no one believes her. Jules was once with Ethan, so they just hooked up again. No big deal right? Jules even went as far as thinking it was her fault. That got me so upset. When a girl says no, it should be no. Guys need to respect that. I don't care if you're in a relationship or not. James is at this schiil after getting a second chance and doesn't want to mess it up. Even he can tell that things just aren't right at this school. He does his best to stay outside of everything that is happening, but peer pressure is a very big issue when he needs to get along with the hockey team. Hockey is really his only chance to get where he wants to be. Will they be able to fight tradition or will everything stay the same? I think everyone needs to read this book. The writer really had the ability to show what happens and what happens to the people who are victim to it. I mean, come on, a girl thinking she has to sleep with a guy because he's nice to her is all kinds of wrong. Hopefully this book will help people see what situations like we see in this book does to people. The author did an amazing job with this story. Link to my full review: https://thebookdutchesses.com/2018/05...

Brooke Barnett@jdog123456

Sep 16, 2022

Melissa Railey@melrailey

Jan 18, 2024

loryn schultz@double_lo_seven

Dec 5, 2023

loryn schultz@loryn_schultz

Aug 19, 2022

jess@brekker

Aug 18, 2022