What do you think?
Rate this book
A Scar like a River
From bestselling author Lisa Graff, this important coming-of-age story follows a thirteen-year-old with a mysterious scar on her face—and a big secret she feels pressured to keep. Fallon Little has a secret—and it’s not how she got the enormous scar that divides her face in two. Thirteen-year-old Fallon has only ever told one person what really happened on the day she got her scar. Why would she? The truth is dark, and Fallon has much brighter things to focus on, like being cast as the lead in the school play, and hanging out with her two best friends, Trent and Kaia. But when Fallon's uncle Geebie dies, his funeral ignites a wildfire of events that Fallon can't manage to tamp down. The school play is spiraling out of control, Fallon's impossible Aunt Lune comes to live with them, and Trent and Kaia might just be so into each other that there isn't room for Fallon in their friend group any more. And when secrets even worse than the one about Fallon's scar threaten to come to light, Fallon might not have the strength to keep them buried for much longer. Through unflinching prose and with a pitch-perfect voice, bestselling author Lisa Graff explores the power of confronting the past as a way to heal in the present in this propulsive and absorbing tour de force. * "The story’s pitch-perfect tone balances sad and funny moments impeccably….Darkness and light interplay with perfection.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review * “Graff infuses viscerally rendered realities of lingering trauma with moments of lightheartedness to deliver a meticulously calibrated work about a girl who refuses to be defined by her past.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
395 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2026
13 people are currently reading
3382 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Graff
21 books506 followersLisa Graff is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of the National Book Award nominee A Tangle of Knots, as well as Lost in the Sun, Absolutely Almost, Double Dog Dare, Umbrella Summer, The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower, The Thing About Georgie and Sophie Simon Solves Them All. Originally from California, she lived for many years in New York City and now makes her home just outside of Philadelphia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 2, 2026
Lisa Graff’s A Scar Like a River is a deeply moving middle-grade novel that handles a complex web of plotlines with remarkable skill. At its center is Fallon, a young girl whose life is defined by the physical scar on her face and the heavy, unspoken secrets behind it. Graff does an amazing job of putting the reader directly in Fallon's shoes as she navigates her mother’s undiagnosed illness, auditions for a school play that challenges her beliefs, and the shifting dynamics of her friendships.
The story truly excels in its depiction of the messy reality of trauma. While adult readers might anticipate the "secrets" Fallon is harboring, it doesn't make her journey any less heartbreaking. Graff explores heavy themes—sexual assault, gaslighting, and accountability—alongside the typical middle-grade struggles of navigating best friendships and family dynamics. The way everything unravels following her uncle's death feels authentic and painfully real.
Fallon is an exceptionally well-drawn protagonist. Her relationship with her rival-turned-friend, Stella, is a highlight, as is the normalization of therapy within her loving family dynamic. However, potential readers and caregivers should be aware of the book's content. The book is clear about the sexual abuse Fallon suffered at age five. Though the description isn't overly graphic, it doesn't skirt the details of how her abuser manipulated her.
This book absolutely needs a trigger warning, but its existence is vital. It addresses the reality that children can keep secrets even in "good" environments and emphasizes that they need time to process before speaking out. This is a title that will stick with me; it’s a powerful tool for building empathy and could be a crucial way to start difficult but necessary conversations with young people.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The story truly excels in its depiction of the messy reality of trauma. While adult readers might anticipate the "secrets" Fallon is harboring, it doesn't make her journey any less heartbreaking. Graff explores heavy themes—sexual assault, gaslighting, and accountability—alongside the typical middle-grade struggles of navigating best friendships and family dynamics. The way everything unravels following her uncle's death feels authentic and painfully real.
Fallon is an exceptionally well-drawn protagonist. Her relationship with her rival-turned-friend, Stella, is a highlight, as is the normalization of therapy within her loving family dynamic. However, potential readers and caregivers should be aware of the book's content. The book is clear about the sexual abuse Fallon suffered at age five. Though the description isn't overly graphic, it doesn't skirt the details of how her abuser manipulated her.
This book absolutely needs a trigger warning, but its existence is vital. It addresses the reality that children can keep secrets even in "good" environments and emphasizes that they need time to process before speaking out. This is a title that will stick with me; it’s a powerful tool for building empathy and could be a crucial way to start difficult but necessary conversations with young people.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 19, 2025
I was so fortunate to receive an advance reader’s copy of this novel and read it in one day. The compelling story perfectly demonstrates the toll that keeping secrets has on us. Fallon Little is a wonderfully complex and creative character, and I especially loved her various friendships. And while she is self-aware and kind with her friends - until multiple stresses create fissures - she isn’t as kind as she is with herself. Graff does a wonderful job of dealing with a sensitive subject, and nicely balances Fallon’s pain with regular middle school drama. The story is riveting and moving and beautifully written. Bravo.
February 10, 2026
fallon little, my beloved :,)
February 15, 2026
(Actual rating: 4.75 stars)
This is a heavy yet beautiful read. Graff's narrative treads with care through difficult, traumatic topics creating a beautiful and real main character. Fallon has three secrets that she gradually reveals throughout the narrative. These terrible things happen to precious children like Fallon all too often. Graff showed the consequences of this trauma while also existing as a middle school girl in a delicate balance that I have not seen in many, if any, other middle grade books. I highly recommend this.
This is a heavy yet beautiful read. Graff's narrative treads with care through difficult, traumatic topics creating a beautiful and real main character. Fallon has three secrets that she gradually reveals throughout the narrative. These terrible things happen to precious children like Fallon all too often. Graff showed the consequences of this trauma while also existing as a middle school girl in a delicate balance that I have not seen in many, if any, other middle grade books. I highly recommend this.
Review of advance copy
3.5?
February 10, 2026
WOW that's all I have to say.
Read
February 12, 2026This one was heavy. It should definitely include trigger warnings and, in my opinion, should lean toward older middle grade and up.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When I was a kid, my best friend loved difficult books. This was utterly baffling to me. For the most part they had previously liked a lot of what I liked. The Baby-Sitters Club series. Trixie Belden titles. Roald Dahl’s The Witches. But on occasion they’d seek out more realistic, darker fare. J.T. by Jane Wagner, for example. For my part, I was the kid who avoided Julie of the Wolves and Island of the Blue Dolphins like the plague because I sensed that they were too serious for me (and don’t even TALK to me about Bridge to Terabithia!). Had A Scar Like a River fallen into our laps, my friend would have devoured it in a single setting. I would not. I would have taken one look and figured it was a story here that might not gel with my preferences. Kids are incredible self-selectors. They know what they generally can and cannot handle. Of course, for all that Graff has written the most serious book of her career, she still has the incredible ability to fill the book with good jokes and real humor. This is not an easy read, but by god it may be one of the best.
Fallon doesn’t talk about how she got the scar on her face. It happened years ago when she was just five-years-old, but no matter how much her parents asked, she never said who did it. Now she’s thirteen and her Uncle Geebie has just died in a car accident. Little does Fallon suspect that the funeral will be the catalyst that sets everything off. Her Aunt Lune, for example, with whom she has never seen eye-to-eye, is coming to live with her family. And then her two best friends Trent and Kaia start to become a lot more than just friends with one another. And all that could be fine, if it weren’t for the secrets Fallon’s been sitting on all these years. Not just one secret. Three. She’s determined never to tell them to anyone, but sometimes secrets like these have a way of coming to light, whether you intend them to or not.
There's a lot to admire about this book. For example, how Graff chooses to parcel out her information is a masterclass in timing. No one in their right mind would call this book a mystery, but reading through these pages you have to be somewhat in awe of how information is disseminated to the reader. You have to be sympathetic to Fallon, even when her actions don’t yet make a lot of sense to the reader. She’s seemingly making bad choices and you’re in the dark as much as other people. Graff is also sort of counting on you to forget that there’s more than one secret Fallon is hiding. The fact that her uncle scarred her face when she was young is such a big and horrific act (one that's revealed relatively early) that it probably never even occurs to the average reader that there might be even more to the story. Personally, I didn’t expect the final secrets to come out when they did. It’s around pages 290 or 291 that everything really comes to a head. That’s about 100 pages before the end of the story, which is a generous portion to leave for the reader. At first I was shocked, but I came to really appreciate the extra time. This isn’t the kind of story that you can wrap up in a hurry or anything.
Sexual abuse, like the kind that this book contains, does show up in children’s middle grade fiction periodically. I’ve seen it in a range of different books, to varying degrees of description. To those who would declare that it is never necessary in any book for younger readers, one may merely point out that considering the sheer number of kids who live through such experiences, information is always important (and Graff takes care to provide help and support in the back of her book). Understanding that books like A Scar Like a River exist not to exploit the topic but inform and fill a need, this title was pretty straightforward, but not violent in its description of what Fallon experiences (the violence comes more in the form of a knife to the face later). There is no mistake that what Fallon experiences is abusive, and I thought Graff took a deft hand to what had to be an almost impossible scene to write. What particularly impressed me, too, was the sexual abuse survivor support group that Fallon manages to find for herself. It’s a little messy, like actual groups can be, but still begins to heal that wound Fallon has carried solo for so wrong. All told, I suppose that this is a book destined for middle school libraries. But, as I mentioned before, what happens to Fallon happens and has happened to younger kids all the time. It’s a book that could do a lot of good when it finds the right audience. An excellent accompaniment to Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's Fighting Words.
There’s a moment near the end of the book when Fallon’s mom tells her daughter that, “Every time life throws something awful your way – and it sure has thrown you some awful stuff – you change, of course, but you just get better.” But Fallon isn’t some saintly little do-gooder without a flaw. She's strong and obtuse. Capable of great love and great blind spots. Now imagine having to write such a character. Oh, and make her funny too. It’s the humor of the book that is so tricky and, also, so necessary. Sometimes an author just works themselves up to the book of a lifetime and you are lucky enough to watch that happen in real time. That’s pretty much what we have here. The kids that get to read this book for the first time are lucky too. A necessary story that hits all the right marks.
Fallon doesn’t talk about how she got the scar on her face. It happened years ago when she was just five-years-old, but no matter how much her parents asked, she never said who did it. Now she’s thirteen and her Uncle Geebie has just died in a car accident. Little does Fallon suspect that the funeral will be the catalyst that sets everything off. Her Aunt Lune, for example, with whom she has never seen eye-to-eye, is coming to live with her family. And then her two best friends Trent and Kaia start to become a lot more than just friends with one another. And all that could be fine, if it weren’t for the secrets Fallon’s been sitting on all these years. Not just one secret. Three. She’s determined never to tell them to anyone, but sometimes secrets like these have a way of coming to light, whether you intend them to or not.
There's a lot to admire about this book. For example, how Graff chooses to parcel out her information is a masterclass in timing. No one in their right mind would call this book a mystery, but reading through these pages you have to be somewhat in awe of how information is disseminated to the reader. You have to be sympathetic to Fallon, even when her actions don’t yet make a lot of sense to the reader. She’s seemingly making bad choices and you’re in the dark as much as other people. Graff is also sort of counting on you to forget that there’s more than one secret Fallon is hiding. The fact that her uncle scarred her face when she was young is such a big and horrific act (one that's revealed relatively early) that it probably never even occurs to the average reader that there might be even more to the story. Personally, I didn’t expect the final secrets to come out when they did. It’s around pages 290 or 291 that everything really comes to a head. That’s about 100 pages before the end of the story, which is a generous portion to leave for the reader. At first I was shocked, but I came to really appreciate the extra time. This isn’t the kind of story that you can wrap up in a hurry or anything.
Sexual abuse, like the kind that this book contains, does show up in children’s middle grade fiction periodically. I’ve seen it in a range of different books, to varying degrees of description. To those who would declare that it is never necessary in any book for younger readers, one may merely point out that considering the sheer number of kids who live through such experiences, information is always important (and Graff takes care to provide help and support in the back of her book). Understanding that books like A Scar Like a River exist not to exploit the topic but inform and fill a need, this title was pretty straightforward, but not violent in its description of what Fallon experiences (the violence comes more in the form of a knife to the face later). There is no mistake that what Fallon experiences is abusive, and I thought Graff took a deft hand to what had to be an almost impossible scene to write. What particularly impressed me, too, was the sexual abuse survivor support group that Fallon manages to find for herself. It’s a little messy, like actual groups can be, but still begins to heal that wound Fallon has carried solo for so wrong. All told, I suppose that this is a book destined for middle school libraries. But, as I mentioned before, what happens to Fallon happens and has happened to younger kids all the time. It’s a book that could do a lot of good when it finds the right audience. An excellent accompaniment to Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's Fighting Words.
There’s a moment near the end of the book when Fallon’s mom tells her daughter that, “Every time life throws something awful your way – and it sure has thrown you some awful stuff – you change, of course, but you just get better.” But Fallon isn’t some saintly little do-gooder without a flaw. She's strong and obtuse. Capable of great love and great blind spots. Now imagine having to write such a character. Oh, and make her funny too. It’s the humor of the book that is so tricky and, also, so necessary. Sometimes an author just works themselves up to the book of a lifetime and you are lucky enough to watch that happen in real time. That’s pretty much what we have here. The kids that get to read this book for the first time are lucky too. A necessary story that hits all the right marks.
October 28, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Fallon Little has two good friends in Cedar Haven, California. Neither Trent nor Kiara care about the significant scar that Fallon has had since she was five years old, but they don't know the secret of how she got it, either. There's a lot going on in Fallon's life, especially since her mother is struggling with the after effects of a virus and can barely get out of bed some days. After Fallon's Uncle Geebie dies, feelings from the past resurface and cause problems, especially when Fallon's Aunt Claire (aka Lune) comes to live with the family to help out. Claire gets a job at the local newspaper. When Fallon auditions for the school production of Hello, Dolly!, she is surprised to win the leading role, since Stella Brymer usually stars in the plays. She even asked the director, Mr. Castiglioni, if her scar won't distract people from her performance, but he assures her that she has talent enough that no one will care. Fallon is in therapy, and is surprised to see Stella at the office. The two talk, and Fallon shares her opinion that the message of Hello, Dolly! is problematic, but Mr. Castiglioni says that play can't be changed. This bothers Fallon, but she's also dealing with doctors who are dismissive of her mother's condition, the fact that Kiara and Trent are dating and haven't told her, and Aunt Claire being around the house. When she finds that Stella is attending a Survivors of Sexual Assault Group, secrets from Fallon's past surface. After she protests the play and writes a letter to the newspaper, she is surprised that her aunt doesn't support her. She finds old news articles of her aunt's and reads them to try to find ammunition to fight her, and finds that her aunt has secrets of her own. These anger Fallon, and she finally decided to tell her parents what really happened in the past.
Strengths: Fallon is dealing with a variety of very serious issues, so it is good to see that she has access to a therapist. Even with her own challenges, it was good to see that she was willing to advocate for her mother at a doctor's appointment! It is also good to see that she has good friends, and that she is involved in school activities. I really enjoyed her developing friendship with Stella, whom she thought was stuck up at first. Aunt Claire's presence in the home was unsettling, and it turns out there was a good reason for that feeling! I really wish that schools would look more critically before they choose plays; our local community children's theater put on Oklahoma several years ago and I was absolutely appalled at how completely inappropriate it was. Surely, there are other plays out there, despite what Mr. Castiglioni says about most plays having some issues of not aging well!
Weaknesses: There is quite a lot going on in this book, and since there is a fairly graphic description of inappropriate touching, this might be a better choice for readers who are in middle school. It's done very sensitively, but you might want to be aware of this if it is in your library.
What I really think: I read this right after Haydu's The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene, and there are some similarities in those two books; school plays, mothers with debilitating conditions, and being at odds with friends! The two stories will always be connected in my brain! Graff, who deals with a chronic illness of her own, has written a wide variety of middle grade novels. A Scar Like a River is more like her Lost in the Sun than her more upbeat Rewind, and is comparable to Brubaker Bradley's Fighting Words.
Fallon Little has two good friends in Cedar Haven, California. Neither Trent nor Kiara care about the significant scar that Fallon has had since she was five years old, but they don't know the secret of how she got it, either. There's a lot going on in Fallon's life, especially since her mother is struggling with the after effects of a virus and can barely get out of bed some days. After Fallon's Uncle Geebie dies, feelings from the past resurface and cause problems, especially when Fallon's Aunt Claire (aka Lune) comes to live with the family to help out. Claire gets a job at the local newspaper. When Fallon auditions for the school production of Hello, Dolly!, she is surprised to win the leading role, since Stella Brymer usually stars in the plays. She even asked the director, Mr. Castiglioni, if her scar won't distract people from her performance, but he assures her that she has talent enough that no one will care. Fallon is in therapy, and is surprised to see Stella at the office. The two talk, and Fallon shares her opinion that the message of Hello, Dolly! is problematic, but Mr. Castiglioni says that play can't be changed. This bothers Fallon, but she's also dealing with doctors who are dismissive of her mother's condition, the fact that Kiara and Trent are dating and haven't told her, and Aunt Claire being around the house. When she finds that Stella is attending a Survivors of Sexual Assault Group, secrets from Fallon's past surface. After she protests the play and writes a letter to the newspaper, she is surprised that her aunt doesn't support her. She finds old news articles of her aunt's and reads them to try to find ammunition to fight her, and finds that her aunt has secrets of her own. These anger Fallon, and she finally decided to tell her parents what really happened in the past.
Strengths: Fallon is dealing with a variety of very serious issues, so it is good to see that she has access to a therapist. Even with her own challenges, it was good to see that she was willing to advocate for her mother at a doctor's appointment! It is also good to see that she has good friends, and that she is involved in school activities. I really enjoyed her developing friendship with Stella, whom she thought was stuck up at first. Aunt Claire's presence in the home was unsettling, and it turns out there was a good reason for that feeling! I really wish that schools would look more critically before they choose plays; our local community children's theater put on Oklahoma several years ago and I was absolutely appalled at how completely inappropriate it was. Surely, there are other plays out there, despite what Mr. Castiglioni says about most plays having some issues of not aging well!
Weaknesses: There is quite a lot going on in this book, and since there is a fairly graphic description of inappropriate touching, this might be a better choice for readers who are in middle school. It's done very sensitively, but you might want to be aware of this if it is in your library.
What I really think: I read this right after Haydu's The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene, and there are some similarities in those two books; school plays, mothers with debilitating conditions, and being at odds with friends! The two stories will always be connected in my brain! Graff, who deals with a chronic illness of her own, has written a wide variety of middle grade novels. A Scar Like a River is more like her Lost in the Sun than her more upbeat Rewind, and is comparable to Brubaker Bradley's Fighting Words.
October 30, 2025
Lisa Graff (A Tangle of Knots, The Thing About Georgie, Almost Absolutely, Umbrella Summer…) has a gift for writing books that tug on the heartstrings of readers and help them experience significant life events through the safety of fictional novels. Some of her topics include disfigurement, bullying, death, loss, self-image and in A Scar Like a River, she introduces Fallon, a girl with a visible facial scar and secrets she has kept buried for years.
Fallon is in the 7th grade, is blessed with parents who love her, two best friends and a talent for performing, a seemingly great life even after enduring a vicious attack when she was only five. But she has been burying not only the identity of the person who sliced her face but the fact that her attacker sexually abused her around the same time. Using Fallon’s casting in the role of Dolly in her school’s performance of “Hello, Dolly,” Graff crafts a story that begins to reveal fractures in her relationship with an aunt, her deep friendship and sharing of part of her secrets with best friend Trent, and brings her to counseling office where she discovers a new friend who just may be able to help her finally share the truth.
Graff’s ability to weave so many threads together and gently reveal the depth of Fallon’s wounds is, once again, powerful and in a school friendship setting that is highly relatable to middle grade readers. The author’s note indicates that she did a great deal of research and used sensitivity readers in areas of abuse and those who cope with disfigurement leading to my belief that Fallon’s feelings are valid for many with similar experiences. She incorporates counseling in a non-judgmental way that is likely to encourage others, both victims of abuse or violent crime and others who have not experienced any, to see it as valuable healing tool. Even those who pick up this Graff book with only entertainment as their intent may gain some insight into those who have had similar trauma or reform attitudes towards the idea of therapy.
Graff’s text is free of profanity and the description of the knife attack is not graphic. However, the description of the “game” her abuser uses to sexually assault her is described clearly. The passage is very brief and not overly graphic but the way Fallon is directed to fondle her abuser is not skirted. Parents, caregivers, librarians, and others should be prepared for questions and should consider the age and maturity of potential readers. Sexual abuse, especially perpetrated by relatives or family member, is a topic that absolutely should be addressed with young people and this title could be the mechanism for prompting that conversation. Other titles would include Silent to the Bone by Konigsburg, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s Fighting Words and Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee.
Thanks for the dARC, Edelweiss and Little, Brown for Young Readers.
Fallon is in the 7th grade, is blessed with parents who love her, two best friends and a talent for performing, a seemingly great life even after enduring a vicious attack when she was only five. But she has been burying not only the identity of the person who sliced her face but the fact that her attacker sexually abused her around the same time. Using Fallon’s casting in the role of Dolly in her school’s performance of “Hello, Dolly,” Graff crafts a story that begins to reveal fractures in her relationship with an aunt, her deep friendship and sharing of part of her secrets with best friend Trent, and brings her to counseling office where she discovers a new friend who just may be able to help her finally share the truth.
Graff’s ability to weave so many threads together and gently reveal the depth of Fallon’s wounds is, once again, powerful and in a school friendship setting that is highly relatable to middle grade readers. The author’s note indicates that she did a great deal of research and used sensitivity readers in areas of abuse and those who cope with disfigurement leading to my belief that Fallon’s feelings are valid for many with similar experiences. She incorporates counseling in a non-judgmental way that is likely to encourage others, both victims of abuse or violent crime and others who have not experienced any, to see it as valuable healing tool. Even those who pick up this Graff book with only entertainment as their intent may gain some insight into those who have had similar trauma or reform attitudes towards the idea of therapy.
Graff’s text is free of profanity and the description of the knife attack is not graphic. However, the description of the “game” her abuser uses to sexually assault her is described clearly. The passage is very brief and not overly graphic but the way Fallon is directed to fondle her abuser is not skirted. Parents, caregivers, librarians, and others should be prepared for questions and should consider the age and maturity of potential readers. Sexual abuse, especially perpetrated by relatives or family member, is a topic that absolutely should be addressed with young people and this title could be the mechanism for prompting that conversation. Other titles would include Silent to the Bone by Konigsburg, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s Fighting Words and Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee.
Thanks for the dARC, Edelweiss and Little, Brown for Young Readers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this e-book as an ARC through NetGalley.
I will begin by saying that I am not the target audience of A Scar Like a River, but I read much middle grade and YA fiction and enjoy it.
Our story revolves around Fallon Little, a middle-schooler who we find out immediately has faced hardship in the form of a large disfiguring facial scar which she received at the hand of someone close to her, although she never told anyone that he was the one who did it.
So begins a heart-wrenching, coming-of-age tale of a young girl who has the biggest heart and equally big secrets. Fortunately, she has some of the greatest friends as well, even if she doesn’t always see it. Trent, who she befriended when he moved to her town just recently and Kaia, whose friendship in theatre camp blossomed when she arrived at Fallon’s middle school. She also discovers a new friendship in the most unexpected of people.
The author did a phenomenal job of capturing the inner thoughts of 13-year-old Fallon through her many challenges, both past and present. Like most teenagers, Fallon gets confused and angry and makes choices from her heart (which she often wears on her sleeve), but is also empathetic and loving and warm and cares deeply for those in her life. She’s flawed in the ways you might expect, but at the same time not stereotypically ….because she belies any stereotype.
After halfway through, I knew I was going to love this book even before all of her secrets had been revealed. The author draws you into Fallon’s world and mind to where you feel her ups and downs along with the story and are pulling for her every step of the way. As is so easy to do, you tend to lean on a “everyone is either good or bad” idea. However, just as in reality, everyone can be both and is usually trying to weigh on the side of good.
The lessons of not judging a book by its cover, learning and understanding your self-worth and owning up to your own missteps were well illustrated, along with the challenges and mistakes along the way. This was artfully done without seeming trite or overwritten. I can really appreciate these lessons as an adult and would have really enjoyed this book as an early teen!
I will begin by saying that I am not the target audience of A Scar Like a River, but I read much middle grade and YA fiction and enjoy it.
Our story revolves around Fallon Little, a middle-schooler who we find out immediately has faced hardship in the form of a large disfiguring facial scar which she received at the hand of someone close to her, although she never told anyone that he was the one who did it.
So begins a heart-wrenching, coming-of-age tale of a young girl who has the biggest heart and equally big secrets. Fortunately, she has some of the greatest friends as well, even if she doesn’t always see it. Trent, who she befriended when he moved to her town just recently and Kaia, whose friendship in theatre camp blossomed when she arrived at Fallon’s middle school. She also discovers a new friendship in the most unexpected of people.
The author did a phenomenal job of capturing the inner thoughts of 13-year-old Fallon through her many challenges, both past and present. Like most teenagers, Fallon gets confused and angry and makes choices from her heart (which she often wears on her sleeve), but is also empathetic and loving and warm and cares deeply for those in her life. She’s flawed in the ways you might expect, but at the same time not stereotypically ….because she belies any stereotype.
After halfway through, I knew I was going to love this book even before all of her secrets had been revealed. The author draws you into Fallon’s world and mind to where you feel her ups and downs along with the story and are pulling for her every step of the way. As is so easy to do, you tend to lean on a “everyone is either good or bad” idea. However, just as in reality, everyone can be both and is usually trying to weigh on the side of good.
The lessons of not judging a book by its cover, learning and understanding your self-worth and owning up to your own missteps were well illustrated, along with the challenges and mistakes along the way. This was artfully done without seeming trite or overwritten. I can really appreciate these lessons as an adult and would have really enjoyed this book as an early teen!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thirteen-year-old Fallon has secrets. All of them center around the origins of the scar on her face, a scar that runs from just above her left eyebrow to the top right edge of her upper lip. And when you’re in 7th grade, the last thing you need is an ugly scar; however, thankfully, Fallon has two incredibly close friends and a deep interest and talent in musical theater that helps. Upon the sudden death of her uncle, Fallon is forced to confront her truth and ultimately reveal her secrets to those she loves.
The novel is told from Fallon’s perspective. While the story behind her scar and her secrets is traumatic, most of her narration focuses on things many 13-year-olds experience, like dealing with snobby classmates, worrying about her talent, and navigating family and friendships. Fallon comes across as likable, positive, and funny. Even when serious things happen, she responds with a sense of lightness and optimism that shows her strength and resilience.
Even though the novel deals with serious subject matter, it never feels dark or ominous thanks to the brilliant characterization of Fallon, her voice, and her strength.
The audience for this book is ages 9-14. There are trigger warnings of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
A Scar Like a River is a great addition to any middle school library and works well for independent reading or small group book discussions.
Thank you to Little Brown and Company and Netgalley for the copy.
The novel is told from Fallon’s perspective. While the story behind her scar and her secrets is traumatic, most of her narration focuses on things many 13-year-olds experience, like dealing with snobby classmates, worrying about her talent, and navigating family and friendships. Fallon comes across as likable, positive, and funny. Even when serious things happen, she responds with a sense of lightness and optimism that shows her strength and resilience.
Even though the novel deals with serious subject matter, it never feels dark or ominous thanks to the brilliant characterization of Fallon, her voice, and her strength.
The audience for this book is ages 9-14. There are trigger warnings of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
A Scar Like a River is a great addition to any middle school library and works well for independent reading or small group book discussions.
Thank you to Little Brown and Company and Netgalley for the copy.
December 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC!
Thirteen-year old Fallon has both physical and emotional scars to deal with. In her own words, she has three huge secrets that she keeps crammed deep down inside. She has shared one of the secrets with her best friend, Trent. But he is the only one that knows that when she was five years old her uncle slashed her face with a knife, leaving her with a very prominent scar on her face. Her family thinks it was a random attack in their back yard.
As the book opens, her uncle has just died in a car wreck leaving Fallon with a huge mix of emotions.
In addition to all of that, her mom is suffering from a debilitating illness which is putting an emotional and financial strain on the family. And her 7th grade year is filled with lots of amazing things but also questions and misunderstanding.
There is a lot going on in this book! As you can imagine, cramming all of her secrets deep down inside is taking a huge toll on Fallon. Readers will notice chinks in the wall that she has erected as the story unfolds. But - Fallon is a really strong person. She has to be to deal with the attention her scar draws. And she has very supportive and loving parents. And some really great friends. And cool teachers. And eventually even a pretty great therapist. They all help her navigate the terrible things that have happened to her.
Also - this is a companion book to Lost In the Sun which was published in 2016 and tells Trent's story.
Thirteen-year old Fallon has both physical and emotional scars to deal with. In her own words, she has three huge secrets that she keeps crammed deep down inside. She has shared one of the secrets with her best friend, Trent. But he is the only one that knows that when she was five years old her uncle slashed her face with a knife, leaving her with a very prominent scar on her face. Her family thinks it was a random attack in their back yard.
As the book opens, her uncle has just died in a car wreck leaving Fallon with a huge mix of emotions.
In addition to all of that, her mom is suffering from a debilitating illness which is putting an emotional and financial strain on the family. And her 7th grade year is filled with lots of amazing things but also questions and misunderstanding.
There is a lot going on in this book! As you can imagine, cramming all of her secrets deep down inside is taking a huge toll on Fallon. Readers will notice chinks in the wall that she has erected as the story unfolds. But - Fallon is a really strong person. She has to be to deal with the attention her scar draws. And she has very supportive and loving parents. And some really great friends. And cool teachers. And eventually even a pretty great therapist. They all help her navigate the terrible things that have happened to her.
Also - this is a companion book to Lost In the Sun which was published in 2016 and tells Trent's story.
September 25, 2025
This was a great coming-of-age story about Fallon, who has a scar on her face, and has told only one person, Trent, how it happened. Fallon is dealing with some repressed memories and when her uncle dies and her aunt comes to live with her family it brings tension and anger to Fallon. Fallon is also a little mad that her two best friends are seeing each other and never told her. Fallon also got the lead in the school play but wants to make changes and finds out she can’t due to copyright laws so Fallon and Stella quit the play, and the play is canceled.. When Fallon sees Stella at therapy she wonders why. As Fallon and Stella become better friends, Trent and Kaia, stop talking to her. Fallon and Stella talk, and they find they have something in common. Fallon confronts her aunt about her secret and says why didn’t you do something? Fallon apologizes to Trent and Kaia, and she tells them about her idea about a show that the whole school could do since the play won’t be held. The school does a revue show and everyone can participate. References to sexual, emotional, and physical abuse are mentioned in this story.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
Oh, how I love this book. Fallon is featured in Graff's book Lost in the Sun, but you don't need to read that book first as this is not a series.
Fallon's voice is amazing; her story will break your heart, and she will also mend it as she speaks her truth, confronts hidden secrets, and heals her trauma. Graff uses a perfect balance between sorrow and humor, creating moments that are unbelievably poignant. The writing is spectacular, the characters so real, and the lessons to be learned incredible.
Yes, this is a book about sexual and emotional abuse, but it's more than that. Fallon teaches us the true meaning of friendship and reminds us that we should be careful about judging others. I love how her family works through her mom's illness, and the conflict Fallon experiences with her two best friends is handled beautifully. I don't want to say too much about this story because I want it to organically envelop readers. This may be a middle grade book, but Graff writes of trauma and abuse in a way that I have never seen in an adult book. Everyone should read this novel.
Fallon's voice is amazing; her story will break your heart, and she will also mend it as she speaks her truth, confronts hidden secrets, and heals her trauma. Graff uses a perfect balance between sorrow and humor, creating moments that are unbelievably poignant. The writing is spectacular, the characters so real, and the lessons to be learned incredible.
Yes, this is a book about sexual and emotional abuse, but it's more than that. Fallon teaches us the true meaning of friendship and reminds us that we should be careful about judging others. I love how her family works through her mom's illness, and the conflict Fallon experiences with her two best friends is handled beautifully. I don't want to say too much about this story because I want it to organically envelop readers. This may be a middle grade book, but Graff writes of trauma and abuse in a way that I have never seen in an adult book. Everyone should read this novel.
Read
October 3, 2025I loved the voice of scarred, yet confident, thirteen year old Fallon. The reader learns quickly that a childhood incident caused the river-shaped scar bisecting her face, but the facts of the incident, and other deeper secrets, only come to light over time. For eight years Fallon has kept her secrets and built a life for herself with friends, a love of acting/theater, and a decent relationship with her parents. A death in the extended family brings her previous traumas to the emotional forefront causing Fallon to begin blowing up relationships all over the place. Fortunately Fallon has caring adults in her family and she gets the help she needs to move forward, ask for forgiveness for her own mistakes and begin to forgive others for theirs. Older kids, and young adults, who've experienced trauma or care about someone who has, will be inspired by Fallon's voice and spirit.
October 11, 2025
Fallon has been keeping secrets. Some very big secrets. The secret of how exactly she got the scar that occupies much of her face. But also other secrets that have influenced her relationships. It’s a lot for a young teenage girl trying to navigate high school and friends and family and everything else happening around her. But when her Aunt Claire comes to stay with them, she finds those secrets bubbling up to the surface with no hope of being tamped back down.
This is a difficult but necessary story. It’s a story of courage and bravery but also of family strife and drama and things left unspoken. The underlying message is that your life experiences do not necessarily define you even if they do take up space in your head. I love Fallon and her spirit, her determination to right the wrongs around her. A great read!
This is a difficult but necessary story. It’s a story of courage and bravery but also of family strife and drama and things left unspoken. The underlying message is that your life experiences do not necessarily define you even if they do take up space in your head. I love Fallon and her spirit, her determination to right the wrongs around her. A great read!
November 25, 2025
4.5 stars
Middle grade leaning middle school - in my library, we'd put this in the Junior High section.
When I was a preteen, I loved the book Silver by Norma Fox Mazer. I probably would have liked this one, too. It was full of messy grays (after being cast as the lead in Hello Dolly, Fallon takes a stand that results in the play's cancellation), friendship drama (becoming friends with enemies, becoming estranged from friends), and family trauma (but with wonderfully supportive parents). It can easily be read without any familiarity with the previously published companion title, Lost in the Sun, which covers Trent's story.
Beautiful and heartfelt and realistic for junior high students.
Trigger warnings:
Middle grade leaning middle school - in my library, we'd put this in the Junior High section.
When I was a preteen, I loved the book Silver by Norma Fox Mazer. I probably would have liked this one, too. It was full of messy grays (after being cast as the lead in Hello Dolly, Fallon takes a stand that results in the play's cancellation), friendship drama (becoming friends with enemies, becoming estranged from friends), and family trauma (but with wonderfully supportive parents). It can easily be read without any familiarity with the previously published companion title, Lost in the Sun, which covers Trent's story.
Beautiful and heartfelt and realistic for junior high students.
Trigger warnings:
January 25, 2026
The first thing anyone notices about 13 year old Fallon is her scar. There’s no hiding it. But what Fallon is hiding are secrets surrounding Scar Day and some days before. It’s been 8 years, but these secrets start to come to the surface as the middle school theatre prepares for the spring musical, Fallon’s friend dynamic shifts, and her family experiences an untimely death.
The main character is in therapy while she uncovers repressed memories. The actual descriptions of her experiences are not graphic and the specifics are mostly limited to one page. The tough parts are integrated into the normal school life of a middle school student.
I HATE that there have to be books about children experiencing sexual abuse, but if there is a child or teen needing this book, I hope they find it. 💔
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC!
The main character is in therapy while she uncovers repressed memories. The actual descriptions of her experiences are not graphic and the specifics are mostly limited to one page. The tough parts are integrated into the normal school life of a middle school student.
I HATE that there have to be books about children experiencing sexual abuse, but if there is a child or teen needing this book, I hope they find it. 💔
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC!
February 9, 2026
Fallon is an amazing character- strong, caring, courageous. She has had some very big traumas that she has kept secret from her parents since she was five years old. She told her best friend, Trent, about the 3rd biggest, but not the second and first biggest. As Fallon goes through 7th grade, she is finding it hard to keep these big secrets, especially when her aunt moves in and then her uncle dies. Along side these secrets is Fallon's objection to the musical Hello Dolly which encourages manipulative behaviors. So she protests and things get worse from there.
I loved Fallon's voice in the story. Despite have these big secrets weigh on her, she is positive friendly. The book is broken into the third biggest, second biggest and first biggest secret so that it is slowly revealed over the entire book.
I loved Fallon's voice in the story. Despite have these big secrets weigh on her, she is positive friendly. The book is broken into the third biggest, second biggest and first biggest secret so that it is slowly revealed over the entire book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was so good. Fallon is a 13 year old girl who loves spending time with her two best friends and acting/singing. The first thing everyone notices about her is the scar on her face that she got when she was 5. But no one, except her best friend Trent, knows the truth about how she got the scar. And no one at all knows that the day she got the scar was not her worst day ever, but her third worst.
Not only does she have some extreme trauma from her past, but her mother is also fighting through a chronic illness and is having trouble getting a diagnosis or help.
I definitely cried for Fallon and what she was going through in this book, and any book that is powerful enough to make me cry is a good one in my book.
Not only does she have some extreme trauma from her past, but her mother is also fighting through a chronic illness and is having trouble getting a diagnosis or help.
I definitely cried for Fallon and what she was going through in this book, and any book that is powerful enough to make me cry is a good one in my book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
8th-grader Fallon has a large scar on her face from something that happened to her when she was 5 years old. There is a lot of normal 8th-grade stuff going on in this book - changing friendships, a controversial school musical - but Fallon has a secret that she won't tell anyone. When her aunt comes to live with them because her mom is facing an undiagnosed, debilitating illness, Fallon wants nothing to do with her. Graff has created a character (she is from her book "Lost in the Sun") that has a lot of depth. She deals with a painful topic slowly and delicately. Recommended for 7th grade and above. ARC courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5/5 STARS! I was so blessed to receive an arc copy of this & honestly, I’m so emotional that I finished it! I am adding all Lisa Graff books to my tbr asap. This deals with very serious issues, but manages to keep it relatable to preteens/teens & doesn’t get too heavy if you want 5th graders to pick it up. I loved the characters & how this handled dealing with family abuse, trauma, & most of all, healing. Fallon is a character that may look different because of her scar, but her uniqueness & fun personality is what makes her so lovable. I adored her! Fallon teaches you that being different may just be your superpower. Absolutely amazing story & a must read!
February 15, 2026
Wow! Just wow! I don’t even know what else to say. The storyline is captivating and with that and the short chapters I was flying through this book and couldn’t put it down. It was one of the most consumable books that I have read in a long time. I went into the story knowing that the topics would be heavy and they were, but they didn’t shake me like I thought they would. Rather, the story caused me to reflect a lot on the big issues going on in the world. A Scar Like a River is exquisitely crafted by Lisa Graff in a way that is both entertaining, thought-provoking, and eye-opening. I think many older children and adults will love reading this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is an amazing book and I am so glad that it will be out there in the world soon. The characters of Fallon, her best friends and her parents will stick with me for a long time. The writing is top-notch and the story is very compelling. I believe a warning should accompany this book, as the sexual abuse included could be a trigger and may be too graphic for some readers. I love how therapy is normalized and shown to have positive results. Fallon Little is my new favourite character, and I'd love to read more about her. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was heavy. It was well written and I really liked the characters, but there were a lot of difficult themes. The book was very good, but I'd check trigger warnings before reading. (Physical assault of a child/sexual assault)
This book was heavy. It was well written and I really liked the characters, but there were a lot of difficult themes. The book was very good, but I'd check trigger warnings before reading. (Physical assault of a child/sexual assault)
February 19, 2026
The book takes the reader on an emotional roller-coaster ride. I truly loved Fallon, Kaia, Trent and yes, even Stella. Even though this book deals eith some tough issues, it allows you to understand what Fallon is going through. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a great story and characters.
September 27, 2025
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Middle grade readers will be easily pulled in by Fallon’s dilemma. She is holding on to secrets that are impacting friendships and family relationships, and this author does a fantastic job telling this story with a satisfying conclusion.
Middle grade readers will be easily pulled in by Fallon’s dilemma. She is holding on to secrets that are impacting friendships and family relationships, and this author does a fantastic job telling this story with a satisfying conclusion.
October 21, 2025
This is a compelling story that puts the reader inside the head of Fallon Little, who lives with a huge scar on her face. However, that is not her biggest problem. How she got the scar is only her 3rd biggest secret. The reader will want to keep reading to find out what the secrets are.
This has one character, at least, from I'll Give you the Sun, who is a good friend to Fallon.
This has one character, at least, from I'll Give you the Sun, who is a good friend to Fallon.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A Scar Like a River completely slowed me down in the best way. Fallon’s story is quiet, powerful, and deeply moving. It’s about grief, secrets, and realizing that healing doesn’t mean erasing the past it means finally facing it. This one lingered with me long after I turned the last page.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews