Taking Back August

by R.B. Shifman

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2026

About the author

Author R.B. Shifman writes dark, edgy YA stories that fight the power. His gritty YA novel, PAPER AIRPLANE, BROKEN BONES, inspired by an originator of the troubled teen industry, was a finalist for the 2025 Somerset Award for Literary Fiction, and his 2026 novels, WE WERE THE CUCKOO BEES and TAKING BACK AUGUST, respectively skewer theocracy and racism/white nationalism. R.B. writes speculative/horror short stories as Richard Shifman, including weird, corporate horror like “Mayo Monday,” which headlined Cosmic Horror Monthly, and “Such a Catch” in the Dread Mondays anthology. R.B. resides near Doylestown with his wife, his partner teaching ESL.

The SAVAGE SPELLS trilogy has been discontinued and is not currently available online.

Reviews

[Katheryn Avila · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often I read outside my usual genres, but when I do, it's almost always work by R.B. Shifman and this one is a prime example of why!

Taking Back August follows Joseph, a quiet, somewhat introverted high school kid with a very small circle of friends. When we meet him in the book, he's spent most of his summer in his room, playing video games online with friends. Even within his own family, he completely keeps to himself. All of that changes when a girl named Cat climbs through the window into his room one night. She brings him (metaphorically and literally) out into the world and changes his life forever.

Shifman has a real talent for writing realistic teenagers, and this time is no exception. Although Cat comes across as a bit larger than life at the start, it's clear that's just Joseph's initial impression of her, and she definitely becomes more realistic as he gets to know her. It's also amazing how real the setting feels. It makes sense, of course, as the story is based near/around the author's home town. Though I live about an hour away from that same area, I've never visited, but it feels like I have just from how vivid Shifman makes the setting.

And the plot! You might think you know where the story is going, but I promise you there's no way. Honestly I can't really talk too much about it without spoiling, but suffice it to say that it caught me off-guard and I was pleasantly surprised with where it went.

Definitely a great read, and highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good coming of age tale with a twist!

[Mike Eastlack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Shifman’s work for some time, so I was excited to read his latest offering Taking Back August. What started out as a well written YA novel took a surprising twist about halfway through, which I was not expecting. This pivot (no spoilers, you need to read the book!), really gave Shifman the opportunity to explore some plot constructs and themes that I haven’t seen from him before. I had planned on reading this one over the course of a week or so, but he had me hooked and I literally finished the novel in one sitting. I kept wanting to see what would happen next, and how it would end, and to me that’s probably the highest praise you can give to a book. I hope this marks a new chapter for Shifman; I would love to read more stories from him in this vein and see where he takes us.

[Paul Georgulis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Taking Back August, as I have every other book I’ve read by R.B. Shifman. The story draws you in quickly, but what I enjoyed most was how much more there was to the story than I initially expected. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading or when I thought I understood a character or relationship, it took a turn that changed what I originally thought.
 
LB is a well-written character who really captures what it’s like to be an introverted teenager. I especially enjoyed how his surprise nighttime visitor, Cat, repeatedly pulls him away from his computer games and out of the house, and helps him open his eyes to the toxicity of others in his family. LB’s relationship with Cat is the heart of the story, and the more I learned about what was really going on between them, the harder it was to put the book down.

[Kimberly Kenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the book blurb--YA novel, Taking Back August starts quietly and then suddenly refuses to let you go. Author R B Shifman doesn’t play it safe, and the reward is this story hits hard and is one I won’t forget. The characters, both teens and adults, feel messy and real. As the truth starts coming out, the story stops feeling like a simple mystery and becomes a tense family drama. Shifman takes typical themes such as family secrets, identity, and betrayal and shakes them up via twists and turns that leave the reader uncomfortable at times—in a good way. I love the discussion potential of this book and the questions it makes us ask about what family really means, especially when the people closest to you are the ones capable of hurting you the most.

[Kenneth Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a bit different from the other works I have read by this author, but I really liked it. Every one goes through a time where we question our identity, who we are , how do we belong, as we question the world around us. This story explores those ideas in a unique and engaging way it takes some interesting turns and is not what I expected going in (which is high praise). I am greatly enjoying each new book by this author. I eagerly await the next!

[Mark Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking Back August is a coming-of-age story; it is a profound testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It is a book for anyone who has ever felt trapped by their circumstances, who has ever had to fight to own their own name, or who has known the unique grief of outgrowing their home. Shifman doesn't offer easy, neatly tied conclusions. Instead, the novel leaves you with something better, a sense of hope, and the reminder that choosing yourself is always worth the cost.

[Jessica Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking Back August is a poignant coming-of-age story... Blending family secrets with a powerful exploration of identity and belonging, Shifman crafts a journey of self-discovery through memorable characters and steadily unfolding revelations that keep pages turning.

[Laurie Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating read! From the first sentence through the twists and turns, to the gasp-worthy reveal, Taking Back August needs be on your reading list.

Laurie Lewis
“What To Say When People Are Hurting”

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book, truly recommend the read! 😊

[Dona Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Moving Story

The teen years are tough enough as we search for an understanding of our true identity. But throw in finding out that huge family secrets have been kept from you and your life becomes even more challenging.

[Jeanine Waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one from Shifman. This did
had me reading quickly since the plot was so engaging. The plot twist was wonderfully shocking and the ending quite moving

[Monica Manolas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyline, good pacing and lots of good plot twists and turns. Shifman is a great YA writer with many more stories to tell. This one is a quick read that will get you thinking about what family really means and the lengths we will go to protect the ones who we love and who love us.

[David Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Thompson
Thu, Jul 2, 8:22 PM (11 hours ago)


No surprises, not in terms of another masterful tale written by Mr. Shifman, anyway. I've come to expect that every time I grab a book with this author's name on the cover. As to the plot? Well, brace yourselves. There are more twists in this bumpy road than on a Four Wheel Drive mountain trail. Surprises and family secrets are revealed, relationships are reinvented, and horrors are brought to light. Not feeling accepted or fitting in is not unusual for a teenage boy. The past injustices and emotional and mental abuse are well portrayed by the author, along with the reactions from the characters. They spring to life within these pages, all hoping and searching for... something. For cosplayer Cat LaVille, nerdy Joseph Dieb, and their friends, life as they've known it will be forever changed. Definitely recommend. You NEED to read this one.

[Bill Ahearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read. A teen shut in, Joseph, has an interesting visitor that draws him out into the world. The character development initially sets the reader on one path but what happens after Joseph branches out is unexpected. An interesting story becomes compelling to the point where it is hard to put this book down. Set in Pennsylvania with the backdrop of the current social troubles, Joseph confronts the unknown about who he really is in a way that rings true for a teenager emerging into a brand new reality. Shifman's best book so far!

[William Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

R.B. Shifman tells my favorite kinds of stories, about relatable characters thrust into complex and thorny situations. Taking Back August—a story about the family we’re given, the family we choose, and the lengths we’ll go to reclaim what we have lost—might be his best novel yet. Full review to come ...

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mystery, a family drama, and a coming-of-age story. Shifman offers social commentary and racial introspection, from an authentic teenage boy’s perspective that is perfect for reluctant readers. A touching story that will leave you questioning the very definition of found family. The twist comes in the middle of the book, and once it hits, you can’t put it down.