59 pages • 1 hour read
Jeff ZentnerIn the Wild Light
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Jeff Zentner’s In the Wild Light, 17-year-old Cash Pruitt and his best friend, Delaney Doyle, leave their small East Tennessee town to attend a prestigious private school in Connecticut, where Cash grapples with fitting in while remaining true to his roots. He navigates his passion for poetry, new friendships, and romantic feelings amid familial obligations and personal losses. The book deals with substance use disorder and sexual assault.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Jeff Zentner's In the Wild Light receives praise for its lyrical prose, deeply emotional narrative, and well-developed characters. The story of friendship and resilience captivates readers, although some find the pacing uneven and the plot occasionally predictable. Nonetheless, its heartfelt themes and evocative writing resonate strongly.
Who Should Read In the Wild Light?
In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner captures the hearts of those who admire tales of friendship, resilience, and personal growth. Readers who enjoyed The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky or Looking for Alaska by John Green will find themselves drawn to Zentner's poignant narrative and richly-drawn characters.
RecommendedReading Age
14-18yearsLexile Level
HL650LBook Details
Realistic Fiction
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Romance
Addiction / Substance Abuse
Relationships: Friendship
Relationships: Family
Emotions/Behavior: Grief