The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride

• **2010 Debut Author Challenge List**
• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: EgmontUSA (May 25, 2010)
• BOOK DESCRIPTION: When Tessa's best friend Noelle disappears right before the start of eighth grade, Tessa's life changes completely--she shies away from her other friends and stops eating in the cafeteria. Now, two years later, Noelle has escaped her captivity and is coming home, in one piece but not exactly intact, and definitely different. Tessa's life is about to change again as she tries to revive the best-friendship the two girls had shared before Noelle--now Elle--was kidnapped; puts up a futile resistance to the charming new guy at school; pursues her passion for photography while trying to build the bravado to show her photos to the public; and tries to balance her desire to protect and shelter Elle with the necessity to live her own life and put herself first.

MY REVIEW: When Noelle Pendleton was kidnapped two years ago the horrible act impacted her family, their town, and especially her childhood best friend, Tessa. As the story begins the older Tessa meets with Cooper, Noelle’s younger brother. When he tells her Noelle called and is coming home, Tessa is dumbfounded. How will she act around her friend? What will she say? And most importantly, will the two friends be able to resume their once close friendship?

McBride’s debut novel answers these questions in an invocative and enticing way. Through her words she spins an engrossing story of heartbreak, fractured souls, grief, and healing. When Noelle disappeared she took part of Tessa with her. Tessa changed, viewing the world with distrust, watching those around her, boxing herself in to protect herself. This is Tessa's story.

When Max, the new cute student, sits next to her in photography class, Tessa is unsure of how to deal with the swirling emotions inside her. She likes him but wants to keep him at a safe distance. Then Noelle, now "Elle" returns to school, Tessa acts like her shield to the outside world. Can Tessa finally learn to let go of the past and put her needs and wants above Elle's?

I have read other YA novels where characters used photography as a metaphor and it seemed contrived, occasionally bordering on fake. TENSION captured picture taking and (tying in) symbolism the best. Photography became a character and was realistically shown in the classroom scenes and through action. I enjoyed the way Tessa was always snapping away on her grandfather’s old Nikon, how she meets Max at the Three Sisters trees in the woods, and how the essence of the two best friends are captured and conveyed through pictures.

I might not have fully believed Noelle's transformation, but her change in character was believable. The author didn’t trivialize the trauma, instead she handled it realistically and was not overdone. The love story between Tessa and Max was nicely written and Tessa was a young woman I felt I knew as her story unfolded. Highly recommended.

FAVORITE SCENE (From page 225 in the ARC):

“Will you braid it?” she asked. “Like you used to?”

I smiled and grasped a small section, separating it into three equal parts. I was just finishing the fifth small braid when she turned her face to me. She was pale and looked so young. And afraid.

“I wish we could stay in here forever,” she said.

I shook my head. “You’re too strong for that.”

“I don’t feel like it.”

My fingers twisted and twisted and twisted her hair. “But you will.”

COVER COMMENT: Not crazy about it. The split between the picture of who you are supposed to believe is Noelle (despite the fact she returns with blue-back hair and originally had brown, not blond as shown on the cover) and the door symbolizing where she was kept was interesting. I felt the door and steps was too prominent. Maybe a back shot of the two girls barefoot at the fountain (read the book and it will make sense) would have been better. I think the cover makes the book appear to be something grittier than what it is: the candid view of a teen's life after her friend is abducted then returns. 

RATING: ++++

FOR FANS OF: Contemporary YA

BOOK SOURCE: Traveling ARC Tours

REVIEWED BY: Laurie