Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those YA books that swings for the fences with Big Ideas—immortality! grief! love as salvation!—and whether it lands depends entirely on your tolerance for philosophical romance and fantasy conceits.

The good: Wallach writes well, the premise is genuinely original, and there's real emotional depth in Parker's selective mutism and journey back to engagement with life. It's not your standard YA romance fluff.

The reality check: The ageless-girl twist requires a LOT of suspension of disbelief (reviews are split on whether it works), the pacing drags in places, and the 'love saves broken boy' narrative is a bit played out even when dressed up in pretty prose. Common Sense Media's party-with-alcohol flag and the Dating & Sex categorization mean this isn't for younger teens.

It's a solid pick for older teens (14+) who like their romance thoughtful and melancholy, but it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea. The 4.4 Amazon rating suggests readers who connected with it really loved it, while others found it pretentious or slow.

Age Fit

Best for ages 14-18. The party scene, alcohol, mature romantic content, and heavy emotional themes (grief, trauma, implied suicidal thoughts) make this too intense for middle schoolers. Teens who enjoy thoughtful, melancholy romance with a fantasy twist will get the most out of it.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

68

A teen romance with emotional depth featuring a protagonist dealing with selective mutism after loss. The relationship between Parker and Zelda models genuine connection and vulnerability. Common Sense Media notes an extended party scene with alcohol, and the dating/sex genre tag plus fantasy elements (ageless girl) suggest mature romantic themes. The core emotional journey is healthy, but the party content and romantic intensity push beyond squeaky-clean territory.

Imaginative

78

The premise is genuinely creative: a boy who hasn't spoken in five years meets a silver-haired girl who claims to be much older than she looks. The fantasy twist on a contemporary romance, combined with Parker's unique perspective as a silent observer who haunts hotels, creates an unusual narrative angle. Multiple reviews praise the 'beautiful writing' and 'sparkling dialogue,' and the exploration of what immortality might mean opens philosophical questions.

Safe

62

Common Sense Media flags an extended party scene with alcohol consumption, and the book is categorized under 'Dating & Sex,' suggesting romantic/sexual content beyond hand-holding. The premise involves a teen dealing with trauma (hasn't spoken in five years after 'crippling loss'), which could be heavy for sensitive readers. No explicit content warnings found, but the mature romantic themes and party scene with drinking are notable. Most YA readers 14+ would handle this fine, but it's not something you'd hand a 10-year-old.

Enriching

74

The book tackles grief, trauma, selective mutism, and finding reasons to live—heavy themes handled through a romantic lens. Questions about mortality, aging, and what makes life worth living provide philosophical depth. Parker's journey from isolation to connection offers emotional growth, and the unique communication challenge (he writes instead of speaks) adds an interesting layer. Reviews mention it 'opens up questions' about immortality and choices. Solid emotional and intellectual engagement for teens ready for it.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely creative premise: selective mutism meets immortality in a YA romance that doesn't follow the usual formula
Beautiful prose and 'sparkling dialogue' according to multiple reviewers—Wallach can write
Opens up real philosophical questions about aging, mortality, and what makes life worth living
Parker's journey from grief-stricken silence to connection is emotionally resonant for teens dealing with loss or isolation
The writing-instead-of-speaking mechanic adds an interesting communication layer

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What to Watch For

Extended party scene with alcohol consumption—not graphic but present
Mature romantic themes (it's in the Dating & Sex category for a reason)
Heavy emotional content: trauma, grief, selective mutism, and suicidal ideation implied in the 'finding reasons to live' framing
The fantasy twist requires serious suspension of disbelief—some readers found it eye-rolling

Conversation Starters

"If you could live forever like Zelda, would you want to? What would be the best and worst parts?"
"Parker stopped speaking after something terrible happened. Do you think silence can sometimes be a way to protect yourself?"
"The book asks what makes life worth living. What would be on your list?"
"How do you think it would change your relationships if you never aged but everyone around you did?"

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Thanks for the Trouble Tommy Wallach