Title: Hiding in the Light
Author: Cy Emery
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-5434-4959
Pages: 270
Genre: Coming-of-age/Young Adult
Reviewed by: Tara Mcnabb

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Pacific Book Review

Hiding in the Light is an inspiring and emotional coming-of-age story that reflects on race, poverty, and what it means to embrace individuality.

Joseph Graham is no stranger to being an outcast. Living in one of the toughest neighborhoods around comes with its fair share of challenges, but when you’re a kid of mixed-race heritage, things can get even more complicated. Struggling with bullying at school and a strained relationship with his father at home, Joseph questions his own self-worth and his ability to fit into society. But despite these obstacles, he’s still an adventurous and curious kid at heart; his “crew”, as he likes to call them are regularly getting into all sorts of mischief. As Joseph learns to navigate the urban jungle of his childhood, he is unexpectedly touched by genuine moments of friendship, love, and loss along the way.

Hiding in the Light couldn’t be timelier. Themes of dealing with bullying and racial prejudice from a young teens perspective are incredibly relevant in a culture that is still grappling with white privilege and economic injustice. Young teens will be able to relate to Joseph’s longing to fit in and his inner confusion surrounding his unique family history. This is as much a story about rising up out of poverty as it is about learning to accept your differences. The many daily hurdles he must face, including family, school, and peer pressure give the reader an insightful glimpse into Joseph’s actions and how they shape his world view. Because it is written from his perspective, the chapters have a more intimate reading style than if they were written in the third person.

Things move along briskly as we follow Joseph’s triumphs and setbacks in the gritty neighborhood he calls home. While there are plenty of hilarious anecdotes and boyish escapades, the book does not shy away from the darker side of growing up within a dysfunctional family: “He was an angry drunk: yelling, cussing, fussing, and tormenting the family until he fell asleep.” This courage to tell it straight without any filtering feels refreshing in a genre that is often heavily exaggerated. Joseph’s rebellious spirit comes through in much of Emery’s writing, and it’s entertaining to feel privy to his most intimate experiences as a youth.

As this is Book 1, it will be exciting to see how the characters develop and change over time, especially as they age. For fans of gritty realism with a young adult spin, give this one a try.

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