The One We Left Behind

De: Sara Coven

Narrado por: Jake Spencer, Luke Azouri, Jill Koslen-Freireich, Andrew Gorell, Dahlia Fisher, Lexi Cowan

The first day of junior high school is exciting, and a little scary. In The One We Left Behind, the day is ruined because of the weird, new kid in town. Due to food allergies, William and his family are forcing ridiculous food restrictions on the entire seventh grade. No more pizza. No more peanut butter. Not even a candy bar. It's completely unfair!

Evan, who already has enough to worry about - maintaining his "cool guy" status, his reputation as the best batter in his grade, and impressing the more intimidating students and teachers - is chosen first to sit alone in a room with this geek. What kind of kid can't sit in a school cafeteria? And why should it be Evan's problem?

William becomes the most taunted and teased boy at school. Yet in that first week, Evan realizes he doesn't actually hate being stuck with William. No kid has ever made Evan laugh so hard. William is also a whiz with baseball statistics, a fabulous prank puller, and a pretty good listener.

But when the week is over, will Evan risk everything to befriend the school loser? It's not his fault that William is so dorky, pale, and "different." Why should Evan help the "allergy kid" just because he was assigned to be his first "lunch buddy?" What is Evan supposed to do when the other kids pick on William, and the bullying starts to escalate?

The One We Left Behind explores unlikely friendships, the angst of growing up, and the desire to be accepted for who you are. It reminds listeners that decisions sometimes have consequences that can never be taken back.

©2022 Sara Coven (P)2023 Sara Coven

Reseñas de la Crítica

"This story serves lighthearted and profound moments in equal measure all the way to the unforgettable ending." (Kirkus Reviews)

Great story and listen

I really enjoyed the story and performances. This is an important subject that isn’t commonly addressed in stories.

An Important Read

I have food allergies. One of the worst parts is that other kids, even my friends, don't understand how hard and scary it is. This book does a great job of showing how difficult it can be. I hope everyone reads The One We Left Behind.

An amazing listen

An incredibly written story and an even better listen. The actors did an amazing job portraying the characters in the book. This is a well written, heart wrenching and moving story that the actors were able to convey in this audio book.

Should be required reading in school

The One We Left Behind should be required reading in every classroom. I read this book three years ago when I initially purchased it, but I recently decided to listen to the audiobook version, and I am so glad I did. The audiobook is uniquely narrated by several voices, each of whom accurately portrays their character and brings the story to life in a way that makes the listening experience especially impactful.

The novel is narrated by Evan Roth as he reflects on his seventh-grade year in 1995. Evan is initially portrayed as an ordinary thirteen-year-old boy navigating the familiar challenges of adolescence, including friendships, popularity, and the desire to fit in. William Nash is introduced as the new kid—slightly younger, smaller, and paler than his classmates. However, it is William’s severe food allergies that truly set him apart and unfortunately make him the target of teasing, pranks, and bullying.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Evan’s unlikely friendship with William transforms what could have been an ordinary seventh-grade year into an experience that gives him a much deeper understanding of friendship, loyalty, and compassion. The author’s authentic portrayal of middle school life makes the story instantly relatable, creating an emotional connection with the characters from the very beginning. I could easily picture my own thirteen-year-old self walking through those middle school hallways.

What makes this novel so memorable is its ability to capture the everyday realities of adolescence while also exploring something much deeper. William’s life-threatening food allergies infuse the story with a greater sense of purpose, allowing the novel to go beyond the topic of allergies and explore themes of empathy, peer pressure, bullying, and the importance of standing up for others. I loved how the book blends the fun and mischief of early teenage years—the pranks, friendships, and everyday adventures—with an important lesson about the realities of living with severe food allergies.

Ultimately, The One We Left Behind is a powerful reminder of the impact we can have on one another through both our actions and our inaction. It is a story about kindness, courage, and the choices we make when someone needs us most. This book has the ability to teach empathy in a way that feels authentic rather than forced, which is why I truly believe it belongs in every classroom.