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In every darkness, hope allows the human spirit to endure. Mahler's narrative intertwines deep-seated faith and a coming-of-age arc to deliver a young adult story that touches on friendship, loyalty, and battling back against adversity with a roar. The story revolves around a tight-knit bond between James and Laura, siblings three years apart who may as well be twins given how connected they are. When Laura is diagnosed with leukemia at fourteen, the family's life is upended, especially James' life. With all the focus on Laura, he feels lost and unsure how to process everything happening.
Mahler's work centers around character development and providing James and Laura with an uncanny support system. In fact, from James' best friend, Luke, to Ms. Tammy, the bus driver, and Mr. Clemens, the longtime custodian, James' faith, while challenged, remains unshakeable. Even when Dylan, a teammate on the basketball team and the very definition of a contemporary, continues to bully James needlessly, James remains unfazed. The author effortlessly crafts characters with personalities that are memorable, even if it's something as simple as Ms. Tammy's fist bump and knowledge of everything that is going on in the students' lives.
One of the key factors that Mahler latches onto in his character development is the idea that sharing grief makes it a little bit more manageable. When James shares Laura's condition with Mr. Clemens, he learns that Mr. Clemens' daughter, too, was a victim of this cruel disease. The only real antidote, James realizes, is to give his sister an unforgettable sunrise, a ray of hope so strong that it can at least mitigate some of the devastating effects of chemotherapy and give her something to believe in. It is this belief that first drives James, then his friend Luke, and, one by one, all the major characters in the novel to come together and turn Project Laura into a reality.
Project Laura goes through various phases, but James and Luke quickly settle on getting tickets for the entire family to attend the NCAA Final Four, as basketball is an unequivocal passion for James and Laura. James goes through trials and tribulations, facing setback after setback in his efforts to raise the nearly $3,000 it will cost to get the tickets. Yet again, his friends and community rally behind him—even those who would be the least expected—forging a lasting bond of togetherness and camaraderie that can last a lifetime.
Interestingly, an unheralded part of the novel is the reference to Viktor Frankl and his book Man's Search for Meaning. It is a testament to the fact that one can reach beyond even the most dire times if their "why" is strong. In Mahler's work, such references serve to add character and values that become a strong foundation for leading a life of faith. Mahler's strength lies in integrating all the different themes and subplots—from sports to togetherness—to convey a broader, overarching narrative that youth can connect with, while also recognizing that life doesn't have to be a smooth road, so long as one has the tools and support as they walk the path.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
A 2026 Eric Hoffer Book Award Category Finalist