I Know It's Over

Publishers Weekly

Just as he is leaving his mother's house to spend Christmas with his dad, 16-year-old Nick receives a surprise visit from his ex-girlfriend, Sasha: she's pregnant. Still hurt from their recent breakup, Nick has no idea how to respond. Debut novelist Martin displays uncanny insight, replacing the issue-driven engine common to most pregnant-teen stories with an emotionally complex and disarmingly frank coming-of-age tale. As narrator, Nick reviews his relationships, and confronts his drives and how he controls them-and how his friends and his father control, or fail to control, theirs. Martin is especially good at writing about sex: Nick is believably awkward, Sasha more mature (especially as viewed by Nick), and it takes the couple more than one try to get it right ("You'd think sex would make you feel less innocent. It didn't work that way for me," Nick ruminates. "I felt new"). In describing Nick's struggle to do the right thing by Sasha, the author defines each feeling, coloring in Nick's momentary failures as well as the full pain of his realization, as Sasha recuperates from an abortion: "We're at the very end.... All I have to do is walk out the door." Ages 14-up. (Sept.)

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

KLIATT - Claire Rosser

Nick tells a story about his love for Sasha, their break-up, discovering she is pregnant with his child, and then, the abortion. The two of them are good students, popular, well adjusted, and too young to drive. The emotional details of Nick's story are as important as any of the physical ones. Nick tells not just of his love affair with Sasha, but about his parents after their divorce, his younger sister, and his closest friends, one of whom is revealing he is gay. He describes school in detail, a party where the teenagers are smoking weed and drinking and having sex, hockey games, and so much more. This is a first novel for Martin, and she is a very good writer. Even though she has used a male protagonist, and told about the affair and the abortion from his point of view, probably this will end up being read primarily by YA girls. Every one of the readers will wish they could find someone like Nick to fall in love with. As YA novels go, this one is frank about sex—desire, control, contraception, and the pain when love doesn't work out between two people who truly care for one another. The details of the pregnancy, telling parents and close friends, the decision to have an abortion, the abortion itself and the aftermath—Miller doesn't shy away from anything, especially the emotional costs of it all. Sasha's parents are especially protective, which is enough to make anyone realize parents cannot will their children to stay away from sex; what is good parenting is a parent's love and support no matter what. Nick and Sasha knew very well they should be more careful about contraception, they knew the facts, and yet the pregnancy happened. Certainly their lives have been changedforever by the sadness and loss they have experienced, and readers will be wiser and more understanding of themselves and their friends. Reviewer: Claire Rosser

Children's Literature - Melissa Joy Adams

When Sasha dumped Nick he thought his life couldn't possibly get worse, but three weeks later it does. Sasha's pregnant. Even though Nick knows their relationship is definitely over, he still cares for her deeply and holds onto the hope that their relationship might rekindle. Trying to deal with both the breakup and the pregnancy, Nick reflects back to the beginning of their relationship, telling the story of how they got from there to here. Before Sasha, Nick took relationships lightly while he tried to deal with his parents' divorce and his best friend's coming out. Not wanting a serious relationship, Nick preferred to hang with a girl who was around only when he wanted to hook up. But then Nick meets Sasha at the beach and everything changes. Suddenly, Nick finds himself submersed in serious relationship and what is even more unexpected is that he actually enjoys the commitment. When their relationship becomes even more serious and more sexual, Sasha breaks up with Nick, choosing to worry about school instead of worrying about getting pregnant. Unfortunately, her decision comes too late. Martin presents a touching story of first love, a heart-wrenching breakup, and teenage pregnancy. While this is not an uncommon plot, Martin tells the story in a fresh way, through the male point of view, showing that these topics are relevant to teens of both sexes. Readers will connect with Nick's emotional struggle and find him a very likable character. The book is quick paced, well written, and will appeal to a wide audience. Martin expertly handles the sexual content, depicting first time sexual exploration in a refreshingly realistic way. It is a perfect book to use as a springboard fordiscussing teenage relationships, sex and pregnancy. Reviewer: Melissa Joy Adams

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up

With heartbreaking honesty, Martin's debut novel gets into the mind of 16-year-old Nick Severson. Still dealing with the effects of his parents' divorce, he plans to have a vacation with no commitments. However, the summer takes an interesting turn when Sasha Jasinski enters the picture. Nick is intrigued by the connection they seem to share but also put off by Sasha's initial disappointment with his behavior. To the shock of his friends, Nick stops seeing Dani to pursue Sasha. They grow closer both emotionally and physically. When things start to get too complicated for her, she breaks off the relationship only to discover a few weeks later that she is pregnant. What raises this novel above the many other teen titles dealing with sex and pregnancy is the authentic voice and emotion of the protagonist. Readers struggle with Nick as he deals with the loss of his first love and the decisions related to Sasha's pregnancy. His story challenges stereotypical notions of reckless teen sex and careless abortions; teen boys will especially applaud this portrayal of a devastated and conflicted young man who makes the right decisions, but still finds that his mistakes have repercussions. Sex, drugs, alcohol, and abortion are each portrayed realistically, and the novel gives invaluable insight into the adolescent mind and the world in which teens live.-Lynn Rashid, Marriots Ridge High School, Marriotsville, MD

Kirkus Reviews

One relationship ends, another begins. Shortly before he leaves to spend Christmas with his father, Nick's ex appears on his lawn to announce she's pregnant. While Sasha ponders her options, 16-year-old Nick relives the rocky course of their relationship. He remembers their encounters in the hall, their rules for dating and their gradual detachment from one another. Martin's freshman prose, whether depicting the parent-child bond, pressing decisions or sexual encounters, balances the heartwarming and the humorous elements that form the pillars for any relationship. In its focus on Nick's connections, whether with Sasha, gay best friend Nathan or his father, the tale rises above the typical teen-pregnancy melodrama. Whether encouraging Nathan as he comes out, supporting his parents' divorce or talking with Sasha, Nick worries about the personal impact of these situations in classic adolescent fashion, simultaneously self-absorbed and self-sacrificing. Authentic and sophisticated, the teen banter appeals to both casual readers and literary enthusiasts. Rich characters and honest interactions set Martin's debut novel apart, and readers will look forward to whatever gestates next. (Fiction. YA)

From the Publisher

“This novel should be read by every teen in North America, and every parent.”—Catherine Gilbert Murdock, author of Dairy Queen

“A great read. This one will appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen and John Green.”—Lara Zeises, author of Bringing Up the Bones

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2008:
"Authentic and sophisticated."

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, August 18, 2008:
"Debut novelist Martin displays uncanny insight, replacing the issue-driven engine common to most pregnant-teen stories with an emotionally complex and disarmingly frank coming-of-age tale."