WHEN WE RIDE by Rex Ogle

 

WHEN WE RIDE is Rex Ogle's first YA novel. Written in verse, it chronicles the friendship of two teens. Diego and Lawson have been friends for ten years. Hanging together is what they do, but lately, Diego hasn't been feeling all that comfortable with Lawson.

Diego works hard in school and at his job. He plans to earn good grades and save his paychecks so he can go to college. Lawson, on the other hand, isn't keen on school, and his job isn't exactly legal. He has been selling weed to high school friends and college students. Recently, he has added some harder stuff to his inventory.

Lawson constantly asks Diego to drive him around. Diego is worried that one of these days they will be pulled over and both of them will end up in jail. Lawson promises he won't let Diego go down for whatever he is carrying, but the reassurances don't make Diego comfortable.

What does it take to maintain a friendship when two friends have different goals? Can Diego step away from 10 years of friendship to protect himself, or does he feel too protective of Lawson? WHEN WE RIDE will keep you on the edge of your seat.