An unexpected heartbreaking and yet inspiring read. A List of Cages is a story of an unusual friendship between an ADHD diagnosed senior superstar ( Adam) and a dyslexic freshman “nobody” (Julian). The story is told in their alternating perspectives and both their voices seem very genuine.
While Julian is timid and easily intimidated being a victim of domestic abuse, Adam is everybody’s darling. While nobody seems to like or care about Julian, everybody loves Adam which he doesn’t seem to notice because he’s just genuinely kind to everybody.
Fate must have decided to meddle with both their lives because Adam is exactly what Julian needs, someone who will see him when nobody couldn’t and through Adam, Julian finally gets to experience what it means to have friends and people (Charlie, Emerald and the rest of Adam’s gang including his mom) who care even though they’re not related to him by blood. Adam who even though is no Superman or Spiderman is definitely a hero in this story. This book is a beautiful reminder of how a small act of kindness could begin to change a person’s life.
“Hate ricochets but kindness does too.”
