To Daya Wijesinghe, a bruise is a mixture of comfort and control.
Since her parents died in an accident she survived, bruises have become a way to keep her pain on the surface of her skin so she doesn’t need to deal with the ache deep in her heart.
The deeper Daya immerses herself into the world of roller derby, though, the more she realizes it’s not the physical pain-fest she was hoping for. Her rough-and-tumble teammates and their fans push her limits in ways she never imagined, bringing Daya to big truths about love, loss, strength, and healing.
Select Reviews
“Boteju writes with acumen about the roller-coaster ride of being a teenager. Daya is both a highly frustrating and deeply engaging character, with a strong character arc. … A searing portrait of self-discovery; soulful and captivating.”— Kirkus Review
“Boteju sensitively handles Daya’s post-accident trauma, struggles with intimacy, and growing understanding of her own sexuality. [A]n infectious enthusiasm for roller derby and Daya’s persuasive journey to self-knowledge and acceptance—aided by a spirited, intersectionally inclusive cast—provide fun and emotional resonance in equal measure.”
— Publishers Weekly
“Daya is not always an easy character to read about or to like and yet, we, like the characters in the book, are eventually able to crack the careful shell she has built and see the person underneath. With interest, sympathy and a growing admiration, we watch her move in Bruised from beginning to understand herself to forgiving herself and eventually being set on the path of finally loving and accepting herself. […] The LGBTQ community, new Canadians, sports and teamwork….all are other thematic threads in this excellent young adult novel.”— “Highly recommended” by Canadian Review of Materials