Review: The First Thing About You by Chaz Hayden

 

When new-boy Harris meets the cute girl in his class, Nory, he is determined to prove he is more than the kid in the powered wheelchair. Luckily, he has a secret weapon, his new nurse Miranda. Beautiful and confident, Miranda sees Harris for who he really is – funny, smart, and totally worthy of Nory’s affections. But Miranda has her own demons, and Harris starts to wonder if she has his best interests at heart.

Harris’s story is bursting with colour – his own, and the psychology of what a favourite colour means. Bright and witty, this is a sweet novel with a very readable style. Through Harris, we learn the struggles of everyday life with a wheelchair. Informative, while effortlessly enjoyable. It opens a new perspective on how we view others, and the assumptions that we can make. Harris’s relationship with Nory unfolded beautifully, and Zander’s loyalty to their friendship left me smiling for ages.

Hayden creates a sense of getting to know these characters, through giving each a moment to shine. They’re flawed and have troubles that are gradually explored, particularly Miranda, a young nurse with a rebellious spirit. Through her character, we begin to see how we must face our personal troubles before we can truly grow. Complex, but thought-provoking, Miranda’s early relationship with Harris made me cautious at times, but Hayden handles this well. A perfect read for book clubs. Overall, a heartwarming story that explores a fresh perspective through, well, a rainbow of colours. 

Kaila Patterson, 15