To Be by John Blossom is a contemporary coming-of-age story centered around Duncan Pepper, an introspective teenager navigating high school, family struggles, and personal identity. Duncan’s journey begins with a hospital visit that reveals his mother’s terminal illness, a turning point that shapes the emotional core of the novel. Duncan, a brain cancer survivor, is already dealing with the pressures of adolescence and physical maturity when he is confronted with the weight of impending loss and the challenge of defining his future. Blossom writes with warmth and emotional clarity, offering readers a heartfelt narrative of a boy striving to make sense of his experiences while honoring his mother's wisdom. The story is grounded in everyday realities—locker room taunts, academic ambition, social awkwardness—but transcends them through Duncan’s evolving self-awareness. His internal monologue is rich with literary references, from Hamlet to the Romantic poets, which adds depth without overwhelming the narrative. These reflections illuminate Duncan’s growth as someone recovering from illness and forging a new identity.

Theater becomes a metaphorical and literal stage for Duncan’s transformation. Encouraged by his friend Beck and inspired by his late mother's passion for acting, Duncan steps into the spotlight, first metaphorically, then literally, learning to channel his unique voice and embrace vulnerability as a strength. Through tryouts, improvisational games, and quiet conversations, the novel explores themes of courage, self-expression, and the enduring presence of love after loss. John Blossom sensitively captures the nuances of grief and adolescence, allowing moments of humor and hope to balance the heavier emotional content. The dialogue is natural, and the pacing is steady, carefully unfolding Duncan’s story. To Be speaks to anyone who has faced adversity and chosen, against all odds, to move forward and truly live.

To Be by John Blossom follows Duncan Pepper, a teenager facing the emotional weight of his mother’s death and his own health struggles, who embarks on a personal journey of self-discovery through his passion for acting. At school, Duncan suffers from social isolation, particularly with a classmate named Martin. Duncan joins the school play, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and forms a bond with his friend Beck. He becomes more involved in theater but remains confused by his feelings for Beck, his self-image, and the impact of his childhood illness. Duncan's pursuit of acting intensifies, leading to a pivotal NYU audition and decisions about hormone therapy. Ultimately, Duncan must reconcile his dreams and relationships with the reality of his health issues, all playing out alongside his part in one of the greatest tragedies of all time, Hamlet.

John Blossom’s To Be is a deeply effective and beautifully rendered look at one young man’s journey to find himself in the time he has to do so. Blossom does an excellent job in his thoughtful examination of Duncan’s internal tug-of-war between his ambitions and uncertainty, creating an authentic portrayal of teenage life. The writing stands out for its ability to lure the reader into Duncan’s life in a way that, in the hands of a less skilled writer, might feel overly sentimental. That trap door never opens, and we are given a great story as a result. The characters, especially in Duncan's relationships with his teacher, Gale, and his girlfriend Beck, feel natural and relatable, and their interactions come across as an organic extension of Duncan’s emotional world. I like Blossom’s use of theater to mirror Duncan’s decisions. This book will speak to those who have ever questioned their path, identity, or the roles they are expected to play in life.