Peter Brown Hoffmeister

Grades: 9-12
Literary Merit: Very Good
Characterization: Excellent

“Little” McCardell has never known his father, his mother is dead, his older brother JT is in jail, and his grandfather “Big” is missing. The local sheriff believes that Big was mixed up in something illegal, which Little knows is probably true, and he questions Little and threatens to make his life difficult if he can’t dig up information about Big’s whereabouts. Little’s life mostly revolves around taking care of his cousin Willa, who lives next door to him with her alcoholic parents, and making a half hearted attempt at high school, which is a constant struggle for him. He makes a cursory effort to question some of Big’s associates, but then JT’s release from jail and the reappearance of his ex-girlfriend Rowan complicate Little’s life even further.

Set in rural Idaho, Too Shattered for Mending, is a grim look at a slice of life not often examined in YA literature. Though it isn’t front and center, the opioid epidemic provides the backdrop for the story as it seems to be related to Big’s disappearance. Domestic violence, child neglect, and sexual abuse are all present though they don’t occur on the page nor are they described explicitly. Hoffmeister succeeds in creating realistic characters that cannot be defined as simply good or evil. JT, whose violence towards a loved one gets him thrown in jail, clearly loves his brothers and is willing to make sacrifices for him. Even Aunt Derlene, who mostly adheres to the stereotypical qualities of poor white trash, has her moment of humanity. For most of these characters, there is no hope for a better life, but Little might be able to find some happiness if only he can survive his family. Recommended for teens who have an interest in the dark underbelly of modern life.… (altro)