Billie, a high school junior, is a budding photographer and Vietnam War protestor. It’s 1968 America and things are turning violent. Billie’s mom moves the two of them to Canada in hopes of a safer future, but Billie reconnects with old friends who have escaped the draft into Canada. Maybe Canada isn’t as safe as it seems.

I read this book because I was hoping it would provide a good overview of American society during the Vietnam war. I’m always on the hunt for good historical fiction to help explain under-studied periods in history. “Focus. Click. Wind.” was not for me. Some turns of phrase were not well-explained for contemporary young adults. The process of developing film was well-explained for someone who knows the process, but contemporary young adults have never developed film so it’s a complete mystery (e.g. why a red light?).

I was bothered by the overly explicit sex between Billie (a minor) and her boyfriend, Dan (not a minor). The drug use seems excessive. Billie is extremely angsty and Dan is not a nice person.

CW: violence, sex, drug abuse

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by NetGalley and the publisher, Groundwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book fell way short of my expectations.
The cover art and the summary led me to believe this would be a Y.A. coming-of -age story, set against the turbulence of 1968. The historical parts were interesting; reading the graphic descriptions of 17-year-old Billie’s frequent sexual encounters got old quickly. I DNF’d at about 40%, and pushed myself to read that far.
I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

Such a great coming of age novel that is set during America and Canada during the Vietnam War. I would highly recommend this to teens and readers of all ages. A force of a book that makes you think!