"What might have been a simple whodunit becomes a powerful exploration of family secrets, trauma, and grief, enlivened by the exhilarating furor of soccer. Liam's sharp, ruminative narration fully immerses readers in his journey. School days and soccer games carry the same emotional intensity as visits to his grandfather or intrusive flashbacks to finding the dead girl in a painfully accurate depiction of post-traumatic stress. Strong family bonds create some of the novel's most moving scenes, as when Liam struggles to reconcile hatred for his grandfather's actions during the war with love for the person who taught him everything. Many characters, most of whom are White, are painstakingly sketched, with complex inner lives. However, Liam's Black friend Alessia is more wise mentor than fully rounded tween. Although the story explores the complexity of individual actions in relation to the Holocaust, Alessia praises Liam's present-day colorblindness, and his passivity in the face of overt racism is insufficiently explored. Powerful if uneven.

" -- Kirkus Starred Review "Because Heather Camlot gives her young adult audience a mystery story which has overtones of both family drama and historical novel, this book will have wide appeal. Murder and suspense, coping with trauma and death, understanding the relevance of history? this novel combines important themes and an interesting cast of characters in a well-written and thought-provoking story. Highly Recommended " -- CM Magazine "An emotional and riveting story that explores what it's like to have experienced trauma in one's life. I would highly recommend this novel." -- Children's Book News " The Other Side is a valuable book, with much to offer in its examination of responsibility, community, family, and the intersection of history with the present. -- Quill & Quire "The story is so realistic, the characters so fully realized and the scenes so vivid. Rating: 5 out of 5 " -- Youth Services Book Review.