The first day of junior high school is exciting, and a little scary. In The One We Left Behind, the day is ruined because of the weird, new kid in town. Due to food allergies, William and his family are forcing ridiculous food restrictions on the ENTIRE seventh grade. No more pizza. No more peanut butter. Not even a candy bar. It's completely unfair! Evan, who already has enough to worry about-maintaining his "cool guy" status, his reputation as the best batter in his grade, and impressing the more intimidating students and teachers-is chosen first to sit alone in a room with this geek. What kind of kid can't sit in a school cafeteria? And why should it be Evan's problem? William becomes the most taunted and teased boy at school. Yet in that first week, Evan realizes he doesn't actually hate being stuck with William. No kid has EVER made Evan laugh so hard. William is also a whiz with baseball statistics, a fabulous prank puller, and a pretty good listener. But when the week is over, will Evan risk everything to befriend the school loser? It's not his fault that William is so dorky, pale and "different." Why should Evan help the "allergy kid" just because he was assigned to be his first "lunch buddy?" What is Evan supposed to do when the other kids pick on William, and the bullying starts to escalate? The One We Left Behind explores unlikely friendships, the angst of growing up, and the desire to be accepted for who you are. It reminds readers that decisions sometimes have consequences that can never be taken back. Editorial Reviews "In this debut YA novel, a teenager in 1995 finds himself torn between his social status and his growing friendship with the class nerd. Junior high is a new experience for 13-year-old Evan Roth in Columbus, Ohio. He’d been a popular athlete, but seventh grade overflows with tweens and teens from different elementary schools. Sadly, it looks as if he won’t make a good impression the first week, as he’s the assigned “lunch buddy” of the Cincinnati transfer student. William Nash has severe food allergies and must eat lunch in a classroom rather than the crowded cafeteria. Evan finds the situation alarming: “Lunch was one of the times when kids figured out who would be leaders, who would be followers, and who would be left with no friends at all.” But it turns out Evan and William have a lot in common, including their love of baseball. Being friends with William is an adjustment for Evan, as he and his fellow students learn how to use an “epi” in case the boy goes into anaphylactic shock. But William is worth it, and Evan enjoys hanging out with him. Yet Evan likes to be popular, too, which sometimes involves keeping his head down while others tease and openly mock William. Evan may have to choose—siding with insensitive bullies or a warm, funny, and generous guy. Each of Coven’s believable characters is chock-full of personality, as not all bullies are entirely apathetic and not every mother is as affectionate as Evan’s. William shows the most layers; he’s often unruffled when peers toss out insults (dubbing him Casper on account of his pale skin), but he’s devastated when convinced he’s a burden to his parents. Readers will learn a lot about allergies, especially in a chapterlong conversation on William’s medical problems and the shocking physical reactions he’s endured. Coven deftly taps into the teenage mind, as Evan and his male friends, when not mulling over girls or professional sports, play pranks and video games. This story serves lighthearted and profound moments in equal measure all the way to the unforgettable ending. Strong characters drive an enthusiastic adolescent tale that ably tackles serious issues." — Kirkus Reviews