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Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
To Be by John Blossom is a poignant and deeply personal coming-of-age YA novel about talent, identity, and resilience that is inspired by true events. Duncan Pepper, a gifted teenage actor cast as Hamlet, must navigate more than just the emotional complexity of the role. Behind his rising star lies a battle against health challenges and life-altering circumstances that threaten his future. Blossom tenderly explores Duncan’s inner world as he grapples with the pressures of ambition, societal expectations, and the fragility of dreams. With the stage as both a literal and metaphorical backdrop, To Be is a powerful meditation on what it means to grow up, to fight for meaning, and to find purpose in the face of adversity.
Author John Blossom has a keen sense of character and attention to detail when bringing Duncan to life, and this has resulted in an emotionally resonant narrative that speaks to both the heart and intellect. It’s a story that will certainly touch the hearts of YA theater fans in particular. The combination of dreams of stardom with crippling health issues is a big emotional punch that’s never over-dramatized, but delivered with all the heartache and gravitas it deserves. The writing itself is gorgeously styled to honor that dramatic flair whilst also sounding authentically teenage. Blossom’s lyrical prose captures the complexity of adolescence and artistic passion with quiet strength. It is inspiring and heartbreaking in equal measure, with a protagonist you’ll never forget. Overall, I would certainly recommend To Be as a standout YA novel that honors theater, vulnerability, and inner strength that readers of all ages will appreciate.