WoW: Anger is Only a Shadow by Elizabeth Acevedo

This bookish meme tells the blogosphere what we’re waiting patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) for! It’s hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine!

From National Book Award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author and renowned poet Elizabeth Acevedo comes a white-knuckle journey to self-understanding and doing the right thing, no matter the cost.

Lil is anything but small. She’s rebellious, she’s loyal; she’s figuring out what kind of good person she wants to be, or if she wants to be a good person at all. But more than anything? Lil wants to be free.

When her instinct for freedom leads to another stay in D.C. juvenile detention, Lil knows she’s lucky to just be on probation. But judgment, guilt, and an ankle monitor weigh heavily on her, and she can’t shake that pinned-down feeling.

The only person who might understand is her big brother, Aldwin. Except he’s more distant now than just the hundred miles from his college. Something’s been off with him for several months, but only Lil seems to realize how important it is to get to him.

As her court hearing ticks closer, a question looms over Lil as the missed phone calls and strange texts from her brother pile will she stay put, or put her future freedom on the line?

Published by: Quill Tree Books
Expected Publication: September 15, 2026

Why I’m Waiting: I really had no idea what this was about when I added it to my TBR. At this point it doesn’t even matter anymore. I’m reading it anyways. Elizabeth Acevedo is a Automatic buy for me. But after finally reading the synopsis, I found out I was right. There’s not a lot of rep where the teen is in juvie, so I’m even more excited to read this! I can’t wait to get this in my hands!

What about you? Have you read anything by Elizabeth Acevedo? Do you like novels in verse? Let me know in comments!