About the Book and Author
Novah has too much responsibility for a fourteen-year-old. She wouldn’t mind it so much if she were the eldest child, but she has two older siblings!
Then the night of one of Ariana’s soccer games, their parents don’t make it back home. A car accident takes their lives, and the seven heartbroken kids are on their own.
Since Ariana has just turned eighteen, she manages to convince a judge to give her custody over all her siblings – but then retreats. Zion begins to act out, falling in with a dangerous crowd, which once again leaves Novah as the default parent.
But this time, she knows she can’t do it alone. She’ll have to find strength in unlikely places to forgive her sister, bring Zion back into the fold, and fight to keep her family intact.
Brianna Peppins is the author of young adult contemporary novels, including Briarcliff Prep and As Long as We’re Together. She was raised in PG County, Maryland and graduated from Spelman College with a B.A. in Psychology.
Book Review
I have never read a book that focuses on what it's like for kids who are given so much responsibility at such a young age. Especially when they have no parents.
Alright, so I’m going to be honest with you, I cried during this book, it was that sad. A lot of books talk about emotional trauma but, I have never read a book that focuses on what it’s like for kids who are given so much responsibility at such a young age. Especially when they have no parents.
The copy that I received was a hardback and had a jacket cover on it and I really loved the illustration on the front because you could see all of the children with the main character in the middle and then on the back you had the exact same illustration but without the details and just the outline filled with a solid colour. Novah, the 16 year old main character, is yellow on the back whereas all of her siblings are brown. I think this shows that she is the one all of the responsibilities go to, even though she isn’t the oldest child.
I feel like this book really reaches out to people who are struggling with grief or who are upset over losing or missing someone. It really shows how you should always try and focus on the good things in life and don’t let the bad things wash over you.
Overall, ‘As Long as We’re Together’ is an amazing story about emotional trauma and I would recommend it to kids who are struggling with grief or who are 12+.
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Reviewer Profile
- Name: Reeya
- Age: 12 years
- Likes: Reading, Writing, Cassandra Clare books
- Dislikes: Maths and Science
- Favourite Book: Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare
- Favourite Song: Game of Survival by Ruelle
- Favourite Film: City of Bones
