Sync — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Seventeen-year-old twins Storm and Lake have always been in perfect sync. They faced the worst a parent could do and survived it together. In the wake of their mother’s rejection, they’ve spent the last five years moving from foster home to foster home—sometimes placed together, sometimes apart.
After being separated from his sister once again, Storm is devastated. He’s the older brother and promised to always take care of Lake. But after a stint in juvie, his newest placement has him feeling almost hopeful. His foster dad is kind, and his girlfriend, Jaidyn, is the first person other than Lake he feels he can trust. But when Jaidyn is sexually assaulted by a violent ex, it pushes Storm over the edge. He retaliates and lands back in lockup—and he fears this time it will be for good. He wishes he could talk to Lake, but he doesn’t know where she is, and he' s now feeling more alone and out of sync than ever before.
Lake, like Storm, has found her own happiness in a relationship with someone new—her fellow foster, Parker. Life with Parker is never boring, but Parker has her own scars. She can be withdrawn and unpredictable, and that can be dangerous, especially after Parker convinces Lake to run away from their Bible-thumping fosters after they are caught in a compromising position. With no money, shelter, or ID, they’re living on the streets. Lake thinks of Storm and his promise to take care of her, and wonders where he could be now.
Told in dual perspectives through unsent letters, at turns heartbreaking and always honest, this latest novel in verse from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins is a searing and unforgettable account of two teens caught in the teeth of the foster care system, fighting their way out and back to each other.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sync appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The story includes instances of violence, such as Lake encountering unimaginable violence while living on the streets and a character's suicide. These elements are significant to the plot and character development. No elements classified as scary content were identified in the search results.
Does Sync have violence?
The story includes instances of violence, such as Lake encountering unimaginable violence while living on the streets and a character's suicide. These elements are significant to the plot and character development.
Does Sync have scary content?
No elements classified as scary content were identified in the search results.
Does Sync have religious themes?
The characters are placed in a conservative Christian foster home, which is described as having racist tendencies. The narrative critiques these conservative Christian values through the experiences of the main characters.
Does Sync have racial/cultural content?
No explicit themes of racism or racial identity politics were detected in the search results.
Does Sync have profanity?
No explicit mentions of profanity were found in the search results related to the book.
Does Sync have climate change?
No references to climate themes or environmental issues were found in the search results.
Does Sync have sexual identity?
Both Lake and Storm are depicted as sexually active, with their encounters described in a muted manner. This aspect of their lives is woven into the narrative and reflects their struggles and relationships.
Does Sync have gender roles?
No specific themes related to traditional gender roles or modern feminism were identified in the search results.
Does Sync have lgbtq+ themes?
The book features a character named Lake who is falling for her lesbian roommate, Parker. This relationship is central to the narrative, highlighting LGBTQ+ themes and experiences within the context of the foster care system.
