Split by Swati Avasthi

Finally, a Teen Reads book that I liked! It certainly isn't the subject matter that makes this book good (it is about domestic abuse), but rather how the author handles the material. The 16 year old protagonist's father is a powerful Chicago judge who beats his wife. Jace tries to protect her, only to have the father begin to abuse him, too. The story is complex since Jace leaves and seeks refuge with his brother, Christian (who left the home many years ago), in New Mexico. The story centers around the two of them reconciling the abuse they experienced and how it has afffected them individually, while getting to know each other again as brothers. Both continue to hope their mother will leave their father. Jace and Christian have a hard time trying to understand why their mother doesn't simply leave their father. Her decision is the climax near the end of the book. Avasthi does a good job simplifying the story for teenagers, but keeping the complexity of the issue intact.