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The Music of What Happens
Bill Konigsberg
357 pages | Published by Arthur A. Levine Books
Max: Jock, dude-bro, gay. Jordan: Poet, emo, gay. The two end up working to revamp a food truck in order to raise enough money for Jordan & his mom to not lose their house. But over the summer, Max and Jordan are both there for each other in their darkest days.
First, let it be said that this book deals with rape & sexual assault, so a big trigger warning on that front. The way that the story navigates this situation though is absolutely beautiful. Max, used to keeping things to himself and "being a man," learns to shed some of that toxic masculinity, open up, and seek help from those around him.
Max and Jordan felt so real. How lucky are teens today that they get to grow up with representation like this?
While Max is learning to be more vulnerable with Jordan's help, Jordan is learning to find more confidence within himself. I loved the way that the two were able to help each other grow so much, both stepping more into themselves.
I liked the varied relationships in the story, and how they changed over time. Max with his strained relationship with his dad and his seemingly superficial relationship with his friends; Jordan with his "wives" and being the parent to a mom struggling with a gambling addiction. This book is a great reminder to be open and honest with those around you, and that you don't have to accept being treated in any way that is harmful.
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