At the Edge of the World
Maddie and Ivan have been friends forever.
They go to school together, surf, party, and hang out all the time. Ivan eats at Maddie's house almost every day. But all is not well in Ivan's world, and as control of his life slips farther away from him, Maddie agonises over her role in his life. Ivan fears the fallout if the people in his community discover what he's been hiding, but Maddie thinks telling his secret will help him. As Maddie struggles to figure out her own post-high-school path, she worries about how to deal with the things she knows about Ivan's life. Is she a keeper of his secrets? Should she help him hide what's going on in his family? Or should she tell someone and get help? What does betrayal look like when your best friend is in trouble?
At the Edge of the World is available here.
"Maddie and Ivan are both likeable, well-developed characters with a strong sense of self and purpose. Their lifelong platonic friendship, devoid of stereotypical sexual tension, is refreshing, and the intergenerational family dynamics are recognizable and realistic. The conflicting forces of tension and devotion in the teenagers' relationships with their dads is palpable...At the Edge of the World will have readers reflecting upon their own parent-child relationships, obligations, and expectations with renewed perspective."
— Quill & Quire
"The friendship depicted between the two is tender and authentic. A strong, palpable sense of place anchors the story as Maddie and Ivan teeter on the precipice of independence. Readers will be moved by Maddie and Ivan's deep, enduring friendship."
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
CCBC Best Books | 2017 | Commended
Bolen Books Children's Book Prize | 2017 | Short-listed