A genuine portrait of life’s challenges and struggles, real and heartwarming in a way that’s refreshing
Rarely, there’s a book which is both approachable and enjoyable while also rushing headlong into the challenges faced by young people today- somehow, Fisher has managed to do just that, and has triumphed. Written in free verse poetry, Crossing the Line is more than just a warning about the danger presented by county lines: it's also a protest against the lack of support for those who become victims to them, and about the courage of Erik, as he crosses the line one last time to save those he cares about.
When I first read Crossing the Line, it’s simple to say that I couldn’t put it down. The story charts that of a young boy, Erik, whose life isn’t as straightforward as is presented in most media, but is a genuine portrait of life’s challenges and struggles, real and heartwarming in a way that’s refreshing. When his family begins to struggle with money, with childcare (a reality which has never been more relevant) Erik sees a way to make ends meet through county lines. Despite the concern of those around him, he is desperate to prove that he’s the man of the house, and that he can look out for his family, until what had seemed like a stroke of luck quickly becomes a nightmare.
The structure of the book, told in free verse, creates blank space on the page making it visually undaunting for teens, especially after covid, while also remaining engaging as the shape of the poetry reflects the narrative and tells the story just as clearly as the language. Now, with poetry seeming to slip from the modern consciousness except for inside school curriculums, Crossing the Line’s address of both modern issues and an old writing technique has created something entirely new, and will doubtless prove influential for young readers who have never before seen poetry addressing their experiences. It takes courage to tackle both the apprehension of the young reader for unfamiliar writing style and for daunting topics, and yet, with great risk comes great reward, as Erik also teaches us. Fisher’s writing has brought poetry and county lines to the forefront of conversation, and by blending the two, she charts new territory for young adult fiction.
As powerful as the structure were the characters, wonderful, colourful and a light at the end of the tunnel, not just for Erik but for the reader also. When writing about heavy and topical subjects, it's too easy to be left with a feeling of hopelessness as the character’s life is temporarily superseded onto yours; however the dangerous threats from Erik’s new ‘friends’ are contrasted by the kindness and the loyalty of his real family. And through the characters is where the free-verse structure becomes all the better: no more page-long descriptions that bore kids socks off, Fisher’s characters are a gift given, a chance taken, and a flash of ginger hair; they are fluid and malleable, and most importantly, they are easily applied to the setting of a school. The characters in the pages become real when we see those same people around us. Fisher has ultimately made us believe in Erik’s story because although he finds himself in a poor situation, his running, his family, and most key of all, his friend Ravi become his greatest strength- sequel for Ravi next, please!
Easily, my favourite aspect of the book was the ending, which brought together the themes of loss, change, growth and of love together in a heart-wrenching final poem. The love and emotion of the success of someone who has struggled is unbeatable- and it’s fair to say that there were more than a few tears! It is hard to remember as you read that actually, the story is a moral tale and a warning- it seems to have been cut out of life and printed like a photo album instead, perhaps because despite the best efforts of teachers and schools, thousands of children are still involved in county lines. The discussion and the representation of taboo issues are the first steps to changing the norm, which is currently that most children are not as lucky as Erik turns out to be. The final few poems are a promise to anyone who feels they are in a similar situation- that they can talk to people and that those who love you can help you, if you share what’s going on.
This was real, it was powerful and it was moving. The inclusion of covid has made it relevant to today’s audience, and as a young person affected by it, I found it almost the most moving aspect of the novel, which I hope will inspire those who read it to begin the conversation at home. It’s never easy to talk about something which you feel is better faced alone, and while age makes you wiser to the power of talking to those around you, Erik is a prime example of how isolated young people can feel. Crossing the Line is a testament to the courage of those who find the power to share what they are going through, a topic which abandons the restrictions of age and gender.