How Far We Go and How Fast

Sixteen-year-old Jolene lives in a rough part of Winnipeg with dysfunctional parents and her brother Matt, her role model and closest companion, but when he walks out the door and doesn’t return she is left alone, without support. As she struggles to find herself she is befriended by a group of older college students, but she also spends a great deal of time just walking through Winnipeg struggling to come to terms with Matt’s death and seeking comfort in music. This contemporary novel for grades 10-12 is suitable as an independent or literature circle choice and deals with relatable topics of personal identity, coming of age, overcoming trauma, and self-discovery.