This Train Is Being Held

(Hardback)

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Description

Family and class differences threaten the love of two teens in this contemporary YA romance When private school student Isabelle Warren first meets Dominican-American Alex Rosario on the 1 train, she remembers his green eyes and gentlemanly behavior. He remembers her long ballet dancer's legs and untroubled happiness, something he feels belongs to all rich kids. As the two grow closer in and out of the subway, Isabelle learns of Alex's father, who is hell-bent on Alex being a contender for the major leagues despite Alex's desire to go to college and become a poet. Alex learns about Isabelle's Havana-born mother, Eliza, a woman with a prejudice against Latino men, who pressures her daughter to stay away from him. When Isabelle's father loses his job and her older brother struggles with his mental health, her relationship with Alex falters. But fate-and the 1 train-throw them together when Isabelle needs him the most.

Reviews

"We root for these young lovers the self-conscious poet with the killer fastball and the shy ballerina who would take a bullet for those she loves as they learn to let their guards down and be more honest with each other, and with themselves. When their story rolls into its final stop were sad the ride is over but delighted we caught this train. * The New York Times Book Review *
From beginning to end, told in the course of about a year, this story explores overcoming appearances and prejudices and the ways loving and taking care of yourself and others is a choice as well as a responsibility. . . It's a captivating, classic story about two people who "shouldn't" be together, and readers will be cheering them on until its satisfying conclusion. * Booklist *
Serious romantics will enjoy this love story set against racism, classism, colorism, and mental health stigma. * School Library Journal *
YA readers will love This Train is Being Held. . .Touching on racial inequalities and prejudices to mental disorders and a negative family life, this book is extremely up-to-date with todays society. * VOYA Magazine *

Author Bio

Ismee Williams is a pediatric cardiologist by day and an accomplished author by night. Her first book with Abrams, Water in May, was released in 2017 to critical acclaim. She lives in New York City.