Signs of You

April 25, 2016
Four teenagers bond over grief and the possibility of finding something greater than themselves in France’s compelling debut. Riley Strout, 16, belongs to the Back on Track club at her suburban Cleveland high school, reserved for kids who are floundering academically and personally. She and fellow club members—and best friends—Jay, Noah, and Kate have all lost close family members. Riley takes her mother’s death especially hard because it followed a huge fight, after which she tweeted “Hate my mom.” When Riley sees her dead mother in the grocery store, she is shocked; when Jay confesses that he saw his late father, too, the group knows something is up. It turns out that everyone except Noah has tried on a cross that once belonged to St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, who was known for his writings on spirits. France’s transition from a story about teen sorrow to one focused on deciphering ancient symbols isn’t always smooth, but her characters are sympathetic and believable, and her message about what keeps people moving forward after tragedy resonates deeply. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jennifer Unter, Unter Agency.

May 1, 2016
Sixteen-year-old Riley Strout and her three best friends are bound together by loss.Riley's mother died two years ago. Jay lost his father. Kate lost the aunt who was more like a mother. And Noah's twin brother hanged himself in the basement. Thrown together in an after-school grief-counseling program in their mostly white Ohio suburb, the foursome shares a bond so deep they are more family than friends. Yet none of them could have possibly imagined the strange happenings that would force them to come face to face with their grief. Twenty-four hours after trying on an ancient cross discovered by Jay's father before his death, Riley sees her mother in the grocery store. It's not long before both Jay and Kate confess to seeing their deceased loved ones, too. And then, in an attempt to explain the phenomenon tormenting his friends, Noah suddenly disappears. What follows is Riley's firsthand account of the friends' desperate attempt to find Noah and to uncover the truth behind their visions. Kudos to France for creating distinct and compelling characters that will keep readers invested in her debut. Though the plot could have withstood a little tightening to heighten suspense and intensify the experience for readers, this is an entertaining mystery cleverly rooted in religious lore.The Sixth Sense meets The Da Vinci Code for teen readers. (Paranormal suspense. 12-16)

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-It's been two years since Riley's mother died, and while it's not exactly getting easier to deal with, Riley's gotten so much support from Kate, Jay, and Noah-her mini- support group of friends who have also lost loved ones. When Riley thinks she sees her dead mother in the supermarket, she is convinced she's losing her mind. After Kate and Jay both freak out about seeing their dead relatives, Riley starts to suspect their visions may have something to do with the ancient Saint Ignatius cross their relations each wore. The cross is a relic found by Jay's deceased father, and it's the only lead they have. When Noah goes missing, the others realize he's gone to research the cross, and they look for him and information on the relic that has seemingly connected them to the deceased. This genre-straddling debut novel is a palatable blend of the supernatural, the spiritual, Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, and YA romance ingredients, with a strong, unique plot. The protagonist's voice feels authentic as she finally wades through the guilt and pain of losing her mother. The spiritual and historical elements are well balanced-not an afterthought and not overpowering this very human story of letting go and moving on. VERDICT A solid purchase for YA collections.-Emily Moore, Camden County Library System, NJ

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2017
Two years after her mom died, sixteen-year-old Riley sees her in a grocery store. With the help of her three best friends, who've each experienced similar loss, Riley chases her mom's fleeting spirit straight into a mystery surrounding a powerful Jesuit relic. What begins as a Da Vinci Codelike treasure hunt becomes an affecting spiritual journey about overcoming grief and moving on.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)