Miles Away from You

January 1, 2018

Gr 10 Up-Miles is going through a difficult time right now. Vivian, a trans girl he fell for, dropped out of school for, and moved in with, attempted suicide and is left in an irreversible coma. Pressure is put on him to fight for her right to die with dignity, something her parents are actively fighting against just as they fought against her transition. Vivian and Miles ran an online blog about queer advocacy, so Vivian's case has become famous, putting even more stress on Miles. His mothers realize he is struggling and send him for a month to Iceland. This epistolary novel recounts Miles's time there as he grapples with grief and guilt. Unfortunately, Vivian is a two-dimensional character and the other gender nonconforming person who is present assaults and robs Miles. However, the protagonist's dealing with his loss and his return to art is a touching journey. There is good queer representation in other ways; Miles struggles with his pansexual identity, there is a gay Icelandic love interest, and Miles's mothers are adorable. VERDICT Though flawed, this is a good purchase for where road trip novels are popular. Supplement with better books about transgender kids like If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo.-Kathryn Kania, Pelham Public Library, NH

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 15, 2018
Miles devoted himself to helping Vivian share her stories with the world, but now that she's gone, he must learn to live his own story again in Rutledge's debut novel.The 18-year-old white boy's life stopped a year and a half ago when his girlfriend, Vivian, a black transgender woman, lapsed into a coma after attempting suicide. Although Vivian will never awaken, her religious parents keep her connected to life support. Now that she can no longer fight back, they cut her hair and her hormones, and they shut down her viral online magazine, Mixtape. When Vivian was by his side, Miles knew his purpose--they created art together. Without Vivian, he's lost. Writing in a series of (sometimes very long) instant messages, Miles documents his monthlong adventure in Iceland, where he searches for a future he never imagined living without Vivian. In the company of Oskar, his endearing and snarky Icelandic concierge, Miles discovers a way to honor the woman he loved. While the book shares the perspective of a cisgender boy, Rutledge never treats Vivian's identity as a problem, nor does she try to provide an easy explanation of Vivian's attempted suicide. Miles' exploration and questioning of his queer identity throughout the book is refreshingly unashamed. A brief list of support hotlines is appended.A much-needed story about rediscovering identity after loss. (Fiction. 14-18)

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May 7, 2018
At 18, Miles is a self-described âatheist, pacifist, vegetarian, clingy, pansexual queer.â Months after the unsuccessful suicide attempt that left his girlfriend Vivian in a coma, Miles is tormented by memories, her familyâs enduring refusal to accept Vivianâs transgender identity, and his own failures in their relationship. His worried mothers give him a plane ticket to Iceland, forcing Miles out of his comfort zone to consider who he is, with and without Vivian. Though Miles is privileged in many ways (his parents are fluent in child psychology and can offer him an expense-paid trip), his story of self-discovery, particularly his sexual exploits, are recognizable in all their awkward realness. Vivian and her suicide attempt do further Milesâs growth, but Rutledge does not exploit Vivianâs transgender identity for the benefit of the plot. Miles often reflects on his relationship with Vivian and his shortcomings (âI cringe at what a snake I was.... Iâll never truly know if pressing you to work through your issues actually made things better or worseâ). Quietly striking in both story and setting, Milesâs pursuit of answers and understanding makes for a satisfying read. Ages 14âup. Agent: Moe Ferrara, Bookends Literary.

Starred review from October 1, 2017
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Eighteen-year-old Miles an atheist, a pacifist, a vegetarian, and a clingy, pansexual queer isn't doing too well. Vivian, a young trans woman and Miles's sort-of-ex-girlfriend, has been in a coma for more than a year since overdosing on Vicodin, and her parents are unwilling to take her off life support. Unwilling to continue with the lawsuit his moms encouraged him to file against Vivian's parents, Miles suffers an emotional downward spiral. He knows something needs to change, so even though he's not initially a big fan of the idea, he eventually packs up and flies to Iceland for some much-needed soul-searching (and distraction). Writing in a series of online messages to the unconscious Vivian (sometimes a bit melodramatically), Miles realistically details the chaos and inner turmoil of his trip as he attempts to understand the events that led to Vivian's attempted suicide. Although the novel does center on Miles' cisgender experience, his reminiscences bring out a beautifully complicated story of nonconforming existence, both in terms of Miles' sexuality and Vivian's experiences as a trans woman in an unaccepting family. Rutledge's insightful debut captures the voice of an emotionally tormented young man trying to find himself abroad. At turns hilarious, sexy, and emotionally turbulent, Rutledge's examination of the complexities of gender and romantic attraction will be sure to illuminate and captivate discerning teen readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2018
A year after his transgender, internet-celebrity girlfriend Vivian's attempted suicide left her in a coma, eighteen-year-old pansexual Miles visits Iceland to try to move on. Miles's fluid understanding of gender and sexuality feels current, and the distinct Icelandic culture and landscape provides a rich, provocative backdrop for his emotional recovery. Unfortunately, Vivian's flat, stereotypical characterization--related through Miles's instant messages to her--is disappointing.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)