Brother/Sister by Sean Olin

Brother/Sister by Sean Olin
Razorbill, 2011. ISBN 9780141338453.
(Ages: 15+) Teenagers Will and Asheley are siblings and best friends bonded together by the violent and dysfunctional upbringing they have endured. The story is told in hindsight in alternating diary form by the two characters. We meet Will and Asheley on what should have been a wonderful day for them both as they separately win important sporting events. However from then on their lives spin from one very violent situation to the next. Will becomes fixated on protecting Asheley even when there are no real threats to her. Even Asheley becomes afraid of him, playing along only with his decisions because she's afraid for her life. The ending is unexpected but believable.
The story is fast paced and gripping and I read it all in one sitting. The bullying that Will endures at school is heartbreaking to read and as a reader you can understand the warped view of the world he develops. I strongly recommend that librarians and parents read this book themselves before including it in a collection, as it is a very dark and disturbing book. Recommended for senior students who are fans of Scot Gardner's books and keen viewers of TV shows such as CSI and Criminal Minds.
Chris Lloyd