Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

This book was really good. It's been a while since a YA book that I picked up by chance has pulled me in quite the way this one did. I loved its look at the differences in class along with the look at the justice system.

Okay, so Elle is an upper class young woman. Her father is the governor in Kentucky. She's never wanted for anything and from the outside she seems like she should be happy. However, her parents are trying to mold her into what they think she should be. They use their influence to make things happen and make her do what they want.

Drix is from the opposite side of the tracks so to speak. He and his family are pretty poor. They live in a one bedroom house for the three of them and often open it up to friends who are in a similar situation to them.  Drix has just spent a year in juvie for a crime he didn't commit, but because he and his family couldn't afford a lawyer and the public defender didn't have the time to look over his case thoroughly, he took a plea deal and just went with it. He comes out of the ordeal bitter and angry.

When the two of them meet, they find something in each other that they recognize. Elle sees her view of justice changing because of what happens to Drix. Drix sees how lucky he is to have a family behind him, even if they don't have the money they need all the time. They each help the other to find what they want.

I found it really interesting how this book gave a look into the disadvantages of lower classes when it comes to the justice system. It begs the question what would have happened if Drix and his family had been able to afford a lawyer? Would he have served the time? Or would the actual criminal have been caught? I also enjoyed the therapeutic approach in the outdoors retreat Drix had to undergo as part of his plea deal. The book highlighted the advantages to using programs similar and how they break the crime cycle in lower class youth.

If you have read this book and enjoyed it, let me know in the comments!

Haven't read it? Check it out here.