Shelf Life

A California Young Reader Medal nominee for 2006-2007 (Young Adult category)

Sam is a 17 year old high school senior. Instead of enjoying his last year playing sports, going to dances and parties, and hanging out with friends he is changing diapers, fixing bottles, and running from school to day care. Sam is a single, teen father.

When Sam’s girlfriend, Brittany, got pregnant Sam’s life as he knew it ended. Brittany and her parents decide that the best thing to do is to give the baby up for adoption but Sam can’t stand the thought of not seeing his son. He impulsively decides to raise Max himself. His father, a widow, is stunned but supportive. He agrees to support Sam and Max until Sam graduates from high school and can get a job. College is out of the question for Sam, a one-time honor student.

Sam enrolls in an alternative high school for teen parents and struggles to balance parenthood and school. A persistent guidance counselor and some of Sam’s peers push him to consider college, though he can’t imagine how he will manage it. The pressures of parenthood and the realization of all he has given up make Sam start to question his decision to raise Max. Is Sam up to the task? Is this the best thing for Max?

Bechard takes an unflinching look at teen parenthood. She does a very good job of portraying the exhaustion of a parent of an infant and the desperation of a teen trapped by the consequences of his actions. Sam’s decision in the end seems a little sudden but his emotions seem genuine and many teens will identify with him.

By Mr. Doyle