You Owe Me One, Universe
You Owe Me One, Universe
My electric guitar rested on my belly, unplugged, and I couldn't hear my muted chords as I strummed along to the song in my headphones. I trusted that my fingers were landing in the right places.
I'd never hear if Nat knocked on my door. I couldn't decide if I wanted her to burst in and try to fix whatever just happened, or if I wanted her to leave me alone. I wasn't used to being this mad at her.
I wished I could stop thinking about what she said.
“If he's struggling with depression...”
Brian would tell me if he was struggling, right? We tell each other stuff.
Except I was remembering the stuff I'd kept to myself lately, and the questions I hadn't asked. Maybe he did that with me too.
I set my guitar down and turned to the Internet to find out how to tell if an eighth grader was depressed. The more I read, the worse I felt. Every line in the list of symptoms landed like a dart in my chest.
Loss of energy.
Changes in appetite.
Angry outbursts.
Social isolation.
I thought about the last few weeks. Brian was almost as silent as last year – except for his swear-fest in the middle of the game. He usually looked tired, and Kevan was right: He hadn't been eating. He left everything early. He didn't even want to be around us anymore.
Maybe he was just sick, like he said. Maybe he was sad about the holidays.
But what if it's more? What if Nat's right?
Picking up where the previous book, Thanks a Lot, Universe, left off, this latest installation finds things really looking up for Brian. Although his father is in prison, Brian visits him regularly and is even becoming somewhat less agitated each time he visits. His mom and brother Richie are doing ok, and he's got a great group of friends that he can relax and joke around with but who are also there for him if/when he needs them. This includes his best friend Ezra, and, even though Brian is sad that he can't return Ezra's crush on him, he still treasures that friendship and knows what a great guy Ezra is. He is also honoured when the new basketball coach gives him more of a leadership role on the team. For all intents and purposes, things seem to be going really well for him. So when he starts having panic attacks and showing signs of depression, he feels guilty and ashamed: why is he feeling this way now when there are so many good things going on in his life? How can he do this to his mom and Richie who need him? Nevertheless, he still feels powerless to battle the fatigue and lack of energy that weigh him down, the unexpected bursts of rage that creep up on him, the feelings of being a burden to his family and friends. Soon he struggles to just get out of bed in the morning and he stops going to school, spending time with his friends and even playing basketball.
Even though Ezra is sad and disappointed that Brian doesn't have romantic feelings for him (as they determined after a test kiss), his support for his best friend never wavers. But he wonders and worries about how to help him as he watches Brian sinking deeper into his depression. At the same time, Ezra becomes increasingly involved with plans for an upcoming talent show, and he starts spending time with Victor...the very same Victor who had bullied Brian (and others) mercilessly last year. While Victor seems to have changed somehow, Ezra still feels guilty about the time he spends with him. And when he starts to find himself increasingly attracted to Victor, he worries about whether he can trust him and questions if he is betraying Brian by having these feelings.
Chad Lucas has crafted a magnificent sequel that features, and builds on, all of the strengths of his first book while displaying new and noteworthy ones as well. First and foremost are the characters and relationships. Ezra and Brian are beautifully complex and compelling protagonists whose friendship is nuanced and heartwarming in all the very best ways. Ezra's concern for Brian and his feelings of helplessness in the face of Brian's enormous struggles are touching and true to life, and the awkwardness and fear that they both feel after their failed test kiss is realistic. While their friendship is a true highlight of this book, other friendships are equally dynamic and noteworthy, especially the friendships between Brian and Ezra's core group of friends as well as the more recent friendship that has developed between Victor and Colby (Ezra's former best friend). The intense and complex relationships between all of these teens are well-rendered and will resonate with many contemporary young readers. Lucas has once again created a strong cast of secondary characters, including adults who care about these young men and genuinely want to help them (Brian's parents, Ezra's parents, Brian's basketball coach). You Owe Me One, Universe is simply filled with people who are genuine and believable, and whose care for Brian help readers to see that it is ok to need help sometimes.
In addition to Brian's depression, Lucas also examines themes of forgiveness, reconciliation and healing as Victor faces the consequences of his actions and admits to his wrongdoings as well as the situations in his own life that led him to hurt others. Once again, You Owe Me One, Universe demonstrates that we don't always know what others are dealing with in their own lives, the struggles and sadnesses that are shaping them and their dealings with others. Ultimately, You Owe Me One, Universe is filled with hope. There are moments of humour and heartbreak (oh that basketball game!), moments that highlight the love within families and between friends, even when the people we love struggle to know what to do or how to help. The dialogue is easy and believable, making You Owe Me One, Universe truly relatable and appealing to a very wide range of readers. Readers will be left feeling deeply satisfied and yet eager for more.
Lisa is Co-Manager of Woozles Children’s Bookstore in Halifax, Nova Scotia.