Publishers Weekly
08/30/2021
In McCauley’s (If These Wings Could Fly) searing novel, queer artist Beck Jones and sensible EMT Vivian Hughes are still reeling five months after their mutual best friend Cassie Queen was shot and killed by her abusive ex-boyfriend Nico Bell, who then died by suicide. When Beck and Vivian accidentally reconnect, they’re joined by an unexpected guest: Cassie’s ghost. The three girls, cued as white, decide to exact vengeance on Nico’s father’s company, Bell Firearms, by painting Greek mythology–inspired murals in Cassie’s honor throughout their small town of Bell, “one of the most pro-gun places in the country.” But the more Beck and Vivian avoid confronting their grief, the more reckless they become. Told in a shifting third-person point of view between Beck and Vivian, with Cassie’s perspective conveyed in first-person verse, and supplemented by podcast transcripts that provide illuminating exposition on gendered gun violence, the narrative explores trauma, privilege, and the power of the characters’ righteous anger. Though it paradoxically positions Cassie’s tragedy as systemic and—especially regarding police response—exceptional, this layered story succeeds in being both a tear-jerking love letter to female friendship and an informative page-turner. Ages 13–up. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary & Media. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
"Powerful and unflinching, We Can Be Heroes is as fierce as the girls it portrays—and as unforgettable." — Marieke Nijkamp, New York Times bestselling author of This Is Where It Ends
“McCauley has penned a lyrically gorgeous and hauntingly beautiful story about love, loss, and the power of standing together to deliver justice.” — Kim Johnson, author of This Is My America
“We Could Be Heroes is a vivid, striking novel about all-too-common violence in America, and the ways it shapes lives in a small town. Vivian, Beck, and Cassie’s grief, rage, tenacity and vengeance give us the strength to fight back against the gun violence and violence against women that we as society have come to see as unstoppable and inevitable. May this book be an awakening for many, and a call to action for all of us.” — Katherine Locke, award-winning author of The Girl with the Red Balloon
Praise for If These Wings Could Fly: “A hauntingly intense tale thrumming with hope! A stunning, powerful debut.” — Tiffany D. Jackson, award-winning author of Monday's Not Coming
“A deep dive to illustrate the quiet strength of those in the darkest situations, If These Wings Could Fly is atmospheric, brilliantly drawn, and ultimately hopeful.” — Mindy McGinnis, author of The Female of the Species
“Heartbreaking, important, and layered with so much hope, this book breathes magic into every chapter.” — Akemi Dawn Bowman, Morris Award Finalist and author of Starfish
“McCauley expertly blends the devastation of family with the invincibility of first love and sisterhood. This debut marks the start of a bold new talent!” — Justin A. Reynolds, author of Opposite of Always
"[A] lyrical novel [with] authentic, intimate first-person narration... Strong writing that features some dreamily lovely turns of phrase... A powerful, thoughtful, and ultimately hopeful debut." — Kirkus Reviews
"Poignant and powerful, this novel uses magical realism to examine choice in a difficult world. There are titles for teens that address the realities of dating violence, but it’s more difficult to find stories of family violence; in her debut, McCauley traverses the tender ground with grace." — Booklist
"McCauley offers just a touch of magical realism here, layering a painfully honest exploration of domestic violence with a subtle eeriness... Her narration is elegant and thoughtful... a refreshing portrayal of two teens who negotiate their own challenges while acknowledging those of others." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“A beautiful, powerful, and emotional story that tugs at your heartstrings as it empathetically and honestly steers you through the pain of domestic violence.” — Farrah Penn, author of Twelve Steps to Normal
“If These Wings Could Fly is a tense and emotional story that will in turns break your heart, make you swoon, and leave you feeling hopeful.” — Elizabeth Eulberg, author of Past Perfect Life
“A careful, sharp exploration of rage, love, and what it means to balance on the knife edge between them.” — Rebecca Barrow, author of This Is What It Feels Like
"McCauley makes a moving debut with this hard-hitting novel set in a small, tightly knit town." — Publishers Weekly
Akemi Dawn Bowman
Heartbreaking, important, and layered with so much hope, this book breathes magic into every chapter.”
Mindy McGinnis
A deep dive to illustrate the quiet strength of those in the darkest situations, If These Wings Could Fly is atmospheric, brilliantly drawn, and ultimately hopeful.
Tiffany D. Jackson
Praise for If These Wings Could Fly: “A hauntingly intense tale thrumming with hope! A stunning, powerful debut.”
Justin A. Reynolds
McCauley expertly blends the devastation of family with the invincibility of first love and sisterhood. This debut marks the start of a bold new talent!
Marieke Nijkamp
"Powerful and unflinching, We Can Be Heroes is as fierce as the girls it portrays—and as unforgettable."
Katherine Locke
We Could Be Heroes is a vivid, striking novel about all-too-common violence in America, and the ways it shapes lives in a small town. Vivian, Beck, and Cassie’s grief, rage, tenacity and vengeance give us the strength to fight back against the gun violence and violence against women that we as society have come to see as unstoppable and inevitable. May this book be an awakening for many, and a call to action for all of us.
Booklist
"Poignant and powerful, this novel uses magical realism to examine choice in a difficult world. There are titles for teens that address the realities of dating violence, but it’s more difficult to find stories of family violence; in her debut, McCauley traverses the tender ground with grace."
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"McCauley offers just a touch of magical realism here, layering a painfully honest exploration of domestic violence with a subtle eeriness... Her narration is elegant and thoughtful... a refreshing portrayal of two teens who negotiate their own challenges while acknowledging those of others."
Kim Johnson
McCauley has penned a lyrically gorgeous and hauntingly beautiful story about love, loss, and the power of standing together to deliver justice.
Booklist
"Poignant and powerful, this novel uses magical realism to examine choice in a difficult world. There are titles for teens that address the realities of dating violence, but it’s more difficult to find stories of family violence; in her debut, McCauley traverses the tender ground with grace."
Farrah Penn
A beautiful, powerful, and emotional story that tugs at your heartstrings as it empathetically and honestly steers you through the pain of domestic violence.
Rebecca Barrow
A careful, sharp exploration of rage, love, and what it means to balance on the knife edge between them.”
Elizabeth Eulberg
If These Wings Could Fly is a tense and emotional story that will in turns break your heart, make you swoon, and leave you feeling hopeful.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"McCauley offers just a touch of magical realism here, layering a painfully honest exploration of domestic violence with a subtle eeriness... Her narration is elegant and thoughtful... a refreshing portrayal of two teens who negotiate their own challenges while acknowledging those of others."
School Library Journal
★ 09/01/2021
Gr 10 Up—Five months ago, Nico, the heir to Bell Firearms, took his father's guns to school, killing his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Queen, and himself. Beck and Vivian always had trouble getting along and were only friends because of Cassie. One night, Vivian catches Beck painting a mural based on Greek mythology to bring awareness to Cassie's murder and how it could have been prevented. Vivian decides to help Beck, and together they plan other murals, which causes a stir in town. The girls aren't alone in the quest for vengeance. Cassie's ghost is haunting Beck's van and hoping for justice. A local podcast is also covering the murals and what happened to Cassie. McCauley's latest novel is a well-written and enjoyable read on a controversial topic. Gun control is a significant aspect of this book, as is relationship abuse as readers learn Nico was violent towards Cassie. The book is divided into sections for each of the murals created. Within these, the story includes Beck and Vivian's perspectives written in prose, Cassie's written in verse, and transcripts of different episodes from the podcast. Beck and Vivian's perspectives are distinct, and Cassie's point of view adds an even more powerful layer. The characters' races are never explicitly stated, but Beck is mentioned as having red hair, and Vivian is often referred to as having dark braids. Hair color is the only indicator for other characters as well. VERDICT A worthy purchase for libraries.—Amanda Borgia, Uniondale P.L., NY
Kirkus Reviews
2021-06-24
Friends of a young woman shot to death by her boyfriend are visited by her ghost in this novel set in a small town whose economy is reliant on a local gun manufacturer.
Told in effective alternating third-person narration, one of which is in verse form, this powerful story of the friendship between Beck, Vivian, and Cassie is at once an intensely personal tale of traumatic grief and an examination of domestic violence and the sociopolitical forces of the gun lobby. Distinct voices are established for each of the three young women. Both Beck, an artist and boundary pusher, and Vivian, determined and practical, have been forever changed by the murder-suicide that killed Cassie and also injured Vivian. Their grief drives them to illegally stage and paint murals of Cassie based on various Greek mythological characters all over their town. That Cassie’s murderer was the privileged son of the owner of Bell Firearms accelerates the tension as Beck and Vivian struggle to draw attention to the horror of what happened to their friend. Transcripts of a podcast about domestic violence are also mixed into the narrative, impressively augmenting the already varied structure. Though the auspicious end seems somewhat aspirational, it fits with the fierce search for justice undertaken by its characters. All main characters seem to be White.
A heartbreaking, intelligent exploration of an all-too-real menace. (Fiction. 14-18)
