ONE LONELY DEGREE


Fifteen-year-old Finn has always felt out of place, but suddenly her world is unraveling. It all started with The Party. And Adam Porter. And the night in September that changed everything. The only person who knows about that night is Audrey, Finn's best friend, her witness to everything and the only person (under thirty) Finn trusts implicitly. So when Finn's childhood friend Jersy moves back into town—reckless, beautiful boy Jersy, all lips and eyes and hair so soft you'd want to dip your fingers into it if you weren't careful—Finn gives her blessing for Audrey to date him. After all, how could she possibly say no to Audrey?

With Audrey gone for the summer, though, Finn finds herself spending more and more time with Jersy, and for the first time since September, for the first time in her life maybe, something feels right—absolutely, stunningly right. But Finn can't be the girl who does this to her best friend . . . can she?

 

originally published by Random House © 2009
Current edition  © 2017
ISBN-10: 1548692727
ISBN-13: 978-1548692728
Reading level: Young Adult and up

DISTINCTIONS

Starred Review, Kirkus

REVIEWS

Martin delivers the same genuine and powerful voice in her sophomore novel that garnered praise for I Know It’s Over . . . The perfect temperature for a summer read or a cool discussion, and an outstanding second novel.
Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"Martin has written a powerful young adult tale that is filled with angst, heartbreak and the strong realities of life. Her well-developed characters move the story at a good clip and the emotionally-charged Finn is portrayed with excellence and finesse.
The New York Journal of Books
The author demonstrates a deep understanding of the complex mind of a young teenage girl. Dealing with the deterioration of her parents’ marriage, well-founded trust issues with boys and a complicated, growing crush on her best friend’s boyfriend (who also happens to be her long, lost childhood friend), Finn bravely tackles all the challenges St. Mark’s High School throws her way.
Kiwi Magazine
A painfully realistic novel.
Children's Literature
C.K. Kelly Martin creates another wonderfully awkward love story with One Lonely Degree.
— Jennifer Rummel, Teens Read Too
C.K. Kelly Martin does a superb job of getting inside the head and heart of a 15-year-old.
Canadian Review of Materials
Finn is easy to relate to, with her doubts and inner voice that critiques her every social interaction."
Publishers Weekly