Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Dating, relationships, romance and love

Book SynopsisThese are the things seventeen-year-old Sloane McIntyre pictured when she imagined the summer she''d be spending at her mom''s home in Hawaii with her twin brother, Penn. Instead, after learning an unthinkable secret about her boyfriend, Tyler, and best friend, Mick, all she has is a fractured hand and a completely shattered heart.Once she arrives in Honolulu, though, Sloane hopes that Hawaii might just be the escape she needs. With beach bonfires, old friends, exotic food, and the wonders of a waterproof cast, there''s no reason Sloane shouldn''t enjoy her summer. And when she meets Finn McAllister, the handsome son of a hotel magnate who doesn''t always play by the rules, she knows he''s the perfect distraction from everything that''s so wrong back home.But it turns out a measly ocean isn''t nearly enough to stop all the emails, texts, and voicemails from her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend, desperate to explain away their betrayal. And as her casual connection wit

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Book SynopsisThis ?hilariously chaotic and profound? (Adam Silvera, #1 New York Times bestselling author of They Both Die at the End) summer romp is Netflix?s Never Have I Ever meets What If It?s Us about a high school senior determined to get over his unrequited feelings for his best friend by getting under someone else.Enrique ?Quique? Luna has one goal this summer?get over his crush on Saleem Kanazi by pursuing his other romantic prospects. Never mind that he?s only out to his best friend, Fabiola. Never mind that he has absolutely zero game. And definitely forget the fact that good and kind and, not to mention, beautiful Saleem is leaving LA for the summer to reunite with a girl his parents are trying to set him up with. Luckily, Quique?s prospects are each intriguing in their own ways. There?s stoner-jock Tyler Montana, who might be just as interested in Fabiola as he is in Quique; straitlaced senior class president, Ziggy Jackson; and Manny Zuniga, who keeps looking at Quique like he?s carne asada fresh off the grill. With all these choices, Quique is sure to forget about Saleem in no time. But as the summer heats up and his deep-seated fears and anxieties boil over, Quique soon realizes that getting over one guy by getting under a bunch of others may not have been the best laid plan and living his truth can come at a high cost.

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Book SynopsisJoin Big Wolf and Little Wolf as they move through the seasons and share an adventure.Trade ReviewStarred review Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, 2009, Kirkus Reviews "[...]a story that will stay with its young readers, presenting the perfect union between text and image to appeal to growing minds." - The Midwest Book Review "With young children's natural curiosity about leaves, changing colors, and seasons, as well as curriculum that cover these topics, this will be a valuable addition to classrooms and libraries as well as a beautiful browsing and read-aloud book. Recommended." - Library Media Connection "Oliver Tallec's gorgeous pastel pictures (with the wolves wearing mittens and hats this time - way too cute) compliment this lyrical story to perfection. It's direct and obvious on one level but also elegant and deep on another. Simply put there is no talking down to the reader and I think a lot of kids will appreciate that a lot, just as much as they will getting to know these two characters a little better." - Colleen Mondor, Chasing Ray "Highly Recommended." - Tucson Unified School District "Highly recommended, this series has its own unique feel and style. These are quiet books, filled with natural beauty and deep connections." - Tasha Saecker, Kids Lit "Destined to become a classic, Big Wolf and Little Wolf: The Little Leaf That Wouldn't Fall reminds us all that the most wonderful riches are often right in front of us." - Niki Masse Schoenfeldt, curled up with a good kid's book

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Book Synopsis Publishers Weekly Best of the Year Queer Love. Something Dawn wants,desperately, but does not have. But maybe, if she can capture it, film it, interview the people who have it, queer love will be hers someday. Or, at least, she''ll have made a documentary about it. A documentary that, hopefully, will win Dawn a scholarship to film school. Many obstacles stand in the way of completing her film, but her best friends Edie and Georgia are there to help her reach her goal, no matter what it takes. A touching and joyous story of queer friendship and girlhood set in the vibrantcity of Houston, THE QUEER GIRL IS GOING TO BE OKAY will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you believe that eventually, everything will be okay.P R A I S E ★ Art imitates life in Walls''s timely and emotionally raw debut. . ..Walls expertly navigates sometimes-overwhelming feelings of grief, internalized self-hatred, and love, as well as the complexity of queer teenage relationships.-Publishers Weekly (starred) ★ Walls has created an enveloping, affirming world and a story that moves at a steady clip, thanks to their witty dialogue interspersed with text messages, emotional gut punches, and profound truths. . . Spoiler alert: the queer girl is okay at the end, and it is because the fiercest love is between friends.-Booklist (starred) Funny and moving. . .The Queer Girl is Going To Be Okay is an explosion of queer joy and healing, and it''s absolutely going to be your new favorite book.-Mark Oshiro,New York Times Bestselling author ofInto The Light Three queer best friends navigate love and relationships as they prepare to graduate high school. . . Emotionally moving.-Kirkus Touching, beautifully written. I hope every queer teen learning to trust their voice and searching for their own place in the world readsThe Queer Girl is Going to Be Okay.-Brynne Rebele-Henry

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Book SynopsisBoth the critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and its highly anticipated sequel Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World in one collectible hardcover boxed set.When Aristotle and Dante met that one summer at their local swimming pool, they had no way of knowing they would change each other’s lives forever. Together, they discover that they share a special bond—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime—and tackle the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be. After opening themselves up to love, they must learn what it means to stay in love—and to build their relationship against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic in 1980s America, in a world that doesn’t seem to want them to exist. To Ari, tragedy feels like his destiny, but can he forge his own path and create a life where he can not only survive, but thrive? This achingly honest boxed set includes: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World

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Book SynopsisAn instant New York Times bestseller! Two rival apprentice sorcerers must team up to save their teachers and protect their own magic in this “charming and engaging” (School Library Journal) young adult romantic adventure from the author of In Deeper Waters and So This Is Ever After.Edison Rooker isn’t sure what to expect when he enters the office of Antonia Hex, the powerful sorceress who runs a call center for magical emergencies. He doesn’t have much experience with hexes or curses. Heck, he doesn’t even have magic. But he does have a plan—to regain the access to the magical world he lost when his grandmother passed. Antonia is…intimidating, but she gives him a job and a new name—Rook—both of which he’s happy to accept. Now all Rook has to do is keep his Spell Binder, an illegal magical detection device, hidden from the Magical Consortium. And contend with Sun, the grumpy and annoyingly cute apprentice to Antonia’s rival colleague, Fable. But dealing with competition isn’t so bad; as Sun seems to pop up more and more, Rook minds less and less. But when the Consortium gets wind of Rook’s Spell Binder, they come for Antonia. All alone, Rook runs to the only other magical person he knows: Sun. Except Fable has also been attacked, and now Rook and Sun have no choice but to work together to get their mentors back…or face losing their magic forever.

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Book SynopsisSex is complicated. Like, really complicated. And as a teen, you need trusted resources to help you navigate sexual issues without shame, guilt, or judgement. But if you're like many teens, you may not have someone in your life that you can talk to openly about complicated sexual situations, and what consent really means-and this information is crucial for your health, safety and happiness. Real Talk About Sex and Consent is a comprehensive guide with essential information about setting boundaries, coercion, reciprocity, and communication. You'll also find hard facts about sex and trauma, the effects of pornography and cultural expectations, and much more. With this book, you'll learn how to make sexual decisions that honour your sense of values and cultivate rewarding and emotionally supportive relationships throughout your life. This book goes past simple definitions of sex and consent and explores the hidden pressures, misrepresented expectations, and realities of sex--and what to do about it all. It's time to get informed and take control of your sexual self. This book will give you the tools you need to make decisions that are right for you.

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Book SynopsisRyan, who uses a wheelchair, is at his most confident when he''s in the water. When he rescues his schoolmate, Jack, from drowning their lives become connected, whether they like it or not. Ryan keeps Jack''s secret about that day in the water, but he knows that Jack needs help. The school is full of rumors about Jack''s sexuality, and he has few friends. When Ryan decides to invite Jack on a trip to Comic Con he''s planned with his best friend Cody, the captain of the school''s swim team, the three boys make an unlikely combination. But they will each have the chance to show whether they are brave enough to go against the stereotypes the world tries to define them by.

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Book SynopsisCyril Squirrel asks lots of questions, but there's one thing that really puzzles Cyril..."What is love? Can I find it? Keep it? Do I need it?"With a notebook and a map, Cyril embarks on a quest to find out about love."Gone away to find out what love is. Back soon."Helping children to learn about the ways that love can look, sound or feel, this heart-warming picture book shows some of the many different forms love, friendship and kindness take. Suitable for all children aged 2-6, especially those who may have confused ideas about love, Cyril's adventure includes guidance for adults on how the book can be read with children.Trade ReviewCyril's story can be enjoyed by parents and children alike, and provides lots of engaging opportunities to spark conversations about feelings, acts of kindness and relationships. Sitting down and encouraging open conversations with children from a young age is a great way to help them to start developing the skills to understand and manage their emotions. Also includes a really useful grown-ups guide to help us adults. -- Catherine Roche, Chief Executive, Place2Be

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewDiamond Anniversary Book Award, National Communication Association (NCA), 2016. "Compelling. . . . Academic-activist orientation brings together interdisciplinary scholarly rigor and insightful feminist analysis about sexting while opening the conversation to include educators and policymakers, and of course young women themselves."--New Media & Society"The author’s aim is to propose alternative ways to deal with gender and sexual victimization, to think about youth’s rights for self-expression, and to respect their consent and privacy. Hasinoff also provides practical recommendations for concerned readers, legislators and prosecutors, and teachers and educators. Highly recommended."--Choice"Hasinoff's alternative narrative pushes back against the dominant narrative of sexting as some type of technological, legal, sexual, and moral crisis… She has carefully and skillfully articulated a comprehensive analysis of sexting and has provided a mediating antidote to the media-driven moral panic."--Critical Criminology "In an age of heightened concern over rape culture and sexualization in the media, Amy Adele Hasinoff's (2015) Sexting Panic is one of the most insightful, concise, and necessary works to emerge in recent feminist media studies."--Journal of Communication"In Sexting Panic Hasinoff convincingly argues that academics and the general population alike must begin to complicate normative perceptions of teens sexting and sexuality… Sexting Panic is engaging and thought-provoking, and it puts forth a reconceptualization of the relationship between technology and sexuality that is unique, timely, and necessary." --Feminist Media Studies"This is a well-written and approachable book, offering an engaging and nuanced understanding of the complexities of a usually misconstrued cultural practice."--Information, Communication, and Society"Hasinoff boldly challenges us to question the assumption that sexting is the outgrowth of a lack of self-esteem or the result of gendered naivete. . . . A strong and vital contribution to feminist media studies."--Journal of Popular Culture"Sexting Panic is a very interesting book and Hasinoff does well in presenting research on a complex issue in a way that is approachable and straightforward to readers."--Criminal Justice Review "Hasinoff does an admirable job at providing an alternative perspective based on agency and consent."--Sexualities "In this excellent and provocative book, Hasinoff dissects the moral panic around texting and offers some very sensible ways forward for how best to deal with the human harms associated with it."--European Journal of Communication "Besides contributing to the literature on feminist media studies, youth media participation and production, and digital communication policy, Sexting Panic also illuminates the necessity for media literacy initiatives that recognize teens' power and agency as mobile media users. The book presents compelling arguments for media education that emphasizes respect for privacy and consensual interaction."--Mobile Media & Communication "Sexting has brought together two things that adults fear most--teens' sexuality and technology. Sexting Panic is a fantastic antidote to the media-driven moral panic. . . . Hasinoff's thoughtful book offers a framework for rethinking sexual media production and the politics of consent. This is a critical intervention to a fraught topic."--danah boyd, author of It's Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens "The most comprehensive analysis of sexting so far. Amy Hasinoff gives us nuanced insights into young people's practices of sexting with a much-needed emphasis on consent and agency. This book challenges the orthodox anxieties about technology and female sexuality, while provoking us to rethink ideas of media production and information."--Kate Crawford, author of Adult Themes: Rewriting the Rules of Adulthood "Talk about sexting has become a key site for making sense of young people's relationships with sex and technology, but it is often hampered by common-sense and frequently sexist views of girls. This book, which is clear, compassionate, and practical, argues that in order to move forward in our understanding of sexting we need to see it as an act of media production and to refocus adults' concerns about girls onto girls' rights to privacy and to a culture of consent. Amy Hasinoff's book is a major contribution to debates about sexting, sexualization, and contemporary sexual and media cultures."--Feona Attwood, editor of Mainstreaming Sex: The Sexualization of Western Culture "Hasinoff has written a bold and provocative book that complicates prevailing assumptions that sexting is an inherently damaging practice for young women. Deftly integrating scholarship regarding adolescent female sexuality and digital media practices, Hasinoff challenges the reader to move beyond a simplistic understanding of female victimhood to embrace a more robust understanding of sexting as a potential expression of authentic desire and agency."--J. Shoshanna Ehrlich, author of Who Decides? The Abortion Rights of Teens "Moving away from the dominance of media, legal, and educational focuses upon sexting, Hasinoff . . . covers a lot of necessary ground and brings a complex reading to sexting that the topic deserves."--Larissa Hjorth, author of Mobile Media in the Asia-Pacific: Gender and the Art of Being Mobile

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewGender, Pleasure, and Violence is one of the most interesting critical works on sexuality published in Poland in recent years. -- Barbara Klich-Kluczewska * Aspasia *In highlighting the patient-centric and holistic approaches that Polish sexology developed in the 1970s and 1980s the book offers an important counternarrative to the presumed historical superiority of Western sexological approaches and more generally a rebuttal of Western representations of state socialism as a non-modern and static system. . . . Capturing the complexities of sexologists and sexological discourses under state-socialism aside, the book is particularly insightful in discussing continuities and changes within sexological approaches to sex and sexuality since 1989. -- Anita Kurimay * Journal of Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe *Kościańska's book is an outstanding example of how to popularize Poland's cultural history and can help readers from a non-(post)socialist background to understand the significance of research done behind the Iron Curtain. For decades, it has been an unquestioned primacy of the West to judge whether post-socialist countries have either failed or succeeded in their transformation – i.e. in terms of culture. Kościańska opposes this self-assumed entitlement of the West by presenting not only a strong, but also a highly nuanced Polish point of view. In doing so, her book is a substantial contribution to overcome orientalization of Central European history and sciences. -- Elisa-Maria Hiemer * H / SOZ / KULT *Gender, Pleasure, and Violence presents a complex and fascinating picture of Polish sexology in the twentieth century. The author's detailed research and nuanced analysis renders palpable the robustness of the community of experts and their output, showing that sexuality was a topic of sustained interest in the medical community. The author sees many Polish sexologists as global pioneers in their approach, which combined psychological and cultural elements earlier than many US counterparts. Embracing a sex-positive perspective early on, Polish sexologists provided both expertise and educational materials for wider consumption that depicted sexual pleasure as a natural component of our humanity, which needed to be understood, nurtured, and valued. -- Maria Bucur * Aspasia *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionPart I: Sexology and Society1. The Development of Sexology and Sexual Rights Activism in Europe and North America2. The Polish School of SexologyPart II. Pleasure: Towards Good Sex3. Sexuality and Scientific Knowledge4. "Civilized" Sex and Gender Relations under Socialism5. Gender and Pleasure in Expert Discourse TodayPart III. Violence: Expert Discourse of Rape6. Rape: Definitions, Legal Understanding and Statistics7. The Provocative Victim and the Male Limits of Self-Restraint: Stereotypes in Expert Literature8. In the Court Room9. Feminism: Changes in Expert Discourse and in the Court RoomConclusionsWorks CitedIndex

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Book Synopsis"Dre and Dean have got my vote!"—Adib Khorram, award-winning author of Darius the Great Is Not Okay When Dean Arnault’s mother decided to run for president, it wasn’t a surprise to anyone, least of all her son.Trade Review"Dre and Dean have got my vote!" — Adib Khorram, award-winning author of Darius the Great Is Not Okay "While the joyful love story is front and center, Hutchinson’s deft handling of his characters provides a perfect—and surprisingly subtle—vehicle for relating the inner journeys of queer and questioning teens, most notably Dean’s exploration of his place on the asexual spectrum. Charming, humorous, nicely paced, and never dull, this timely romance will appeal beyond its genre—a must for all collections." — Booklist (starred review) “Two likable characters in a love-against-the-odds story that effectively takes up the well-timed issue of how to love people whose beliefs one doesn’t share.” — Publishers Weekly "A supremely charming YA romance set against the 2020 Presidential election!" — Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop

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Book SynopsisRoof to roof, Federico the cat visits all his families everyday: Tadeo and his grandparents, Anna and her two Moms; Virginia, with her Mom and Dad, Paula and her two Dads… All of them different, all of them loved by Federico. Unconditionally.This little jewel is perfect to show the smallest of the house that love can be found in any family. By author and compromised activist for diversity Mili Hernández and illustrator Gómez.También disponible en español. (Also available in Spanish.)

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Book SynopsisMegan McCafferty’s Bumped series of books are must-read teen dystopian fiction, along with Ally Condie’s Matched series and Veronica Roth’s Divergent trilogy. Thumped, the sequel to Bumped, manages to be satiric, scary, and romantic at the same time. It continues the story of separated-at-birth twins, Melody and Harmony, girls as engaging as McCafferty’s Jessica Darling. These sisters are the most popular teen girls on the planet. To their fans, they seem to be living ideal lives. Harmony is married to Ram and living in Goodside, the religious community that once meant everything to her. Melody has the genetically flawless Jondoe as her coupling partner, which means money and status—and a bright future. But both girls are hiding secrets. And they are each pining for the only guys they can’t have…. The biggest risk of all could be to finally tell the truth.

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Book SynopsisJane Austen’s Emma meets The Rosie Project in this quirky, irresistible, romantic comedy from Sarah Strohmeyer, the author of Smart Girls Get What They Want.Addie Emerson doesn’t believe in love. Not for herself anyway. With one year left of high school, she’s more interested in snagging a full scholarship to Harvard than a full-time boyfriend.That doesn’t mean she’s oblivious to the ways of the heart. Or, rather, the head. Because after months of research, Addie has discovered how to make anyone fall in love. All you need is the secret formula.But will her discovery be enough to win the coveted Athenian Award and all its perks? (See above, full scholarship to Harvard.) Or will she be undone by Dexter, her backstabbing lab partner, who is determined to deep-six her experiments at their exclusive private school?Those are the least of her problems now that she’s survived a death-defying flight w

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Book SynopsisFrom Alexis Bass, author of Love and Other Theories, comes her heartbreakingly beautiful second novel, perfect for fans of Gayle Forman and of Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything.A year and a half ago, Amanda Tart’s brother got behind the wheel drunk, killed his best friend, and paralyzed his girlfriend. Today, he’s coming home from prison.Amanda’s been the one living with the fallout, made worse by her brother’s recent unapologetic TV interview. People think he’s a monster. Still, she loves him. It’s her dark secret, until she starts getting close to Henry again—whose sister is paralyzed from the accident.A year and a half ago, her brother destroyed his life. Now Amanda has to decide if she’ll let his choice destroy hers.

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of The Night We Said Yes comes a fun and heartfelt YA contemporary tale. When Maude decides to search for information about her birth mother, she finds out more than she expected. Perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins and Susane Colasanti.Family. It’s always been a loaded word for Maude, whose birth mother died after giving her up for adoption. With her best friend, Treena, in college in the same town where her birth mother grew up, Maude decides to visit and explore her past. But when Maude arrives, she quickly discovers that Treena doesn’t seem to have time for her—or for helping with her search. Enter Bennett, a cute guy who lives in Treena’s dorm. He understands Maude’s need to find her mother. And as Bennett helps Maude, she starts to realize that her mother’s past doesn’t have to define her own future.

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Book SynopsisGrant’s only hope of luring Rose back to him (and the paper) is a juicy story she won’t be able to resist.In the end it takes a toga-wearing prom crasher, an emergency lockdown, a secret stalker, and a wild after-party to bring Grant and Rose together for one last story...and one final chance to admit that they’re made for each other.Trade Review“Honest, messy, and infinitely charming. This is my favorite kind of love story.” -- Becky Albertalli, award-winning author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda“The Last Best Story is the first best high school newspaper screwball romantic comedy. Rosie and Grant are funny and warm and too brilliant for their own good, and I would spend another 1000 pages hanging out with them if I could.” -- Jesse Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl“Smart and bighearted and deliriously fun. The Last Best Story crackles.” -- Katie Cotugno, New York Times bestselling author of 99 Days

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Book SynopsisA raw and heartbreaking story about addiction and recovery that will leave readers breathless. —Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in PiecesClaire Needell’s evocative novel, perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, explores the risks of substance abuse as well as what it means to take control of your life when it seems like the only path forward is the one that will take all of your courage. Marcelle is clean and sober, attending a tough-love version of after-school rehab, and barely hanging out with her user friends. But one night she gets a text from her best friend, Hannah, asking Marcelle to cover for her.The next morning, Hannah is missing. Marcelle was the last one to hear from her...and now she’s lying to everyone—about the text, and more.How long can Marcelle go on before she admits to herself what she has to do? If she comes clean, can she save Han

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of 99 Days and Anna and the French Kiss, this unforgettable, sun-drenched summer romance from one of YA’s bestselling and most beloved authors, Sarah Mlynowski, is an irresistible dive into the joys of seizing the day and embracing the unexpected. Sam’s summer isn’t off to a great start. Her boyfriend, Eli, ditched her for a European backpacking trip, and now she’s a counselor at Camp Blue Springs: the summer camp her eleven-year-old self swore never to return to. Sam expects the next seven weeks to be a total disaster. That is, until she meets Gavin, the camp’s sailing instructor, who turns her expectations upside down. Gavin may have gotten the job just for his abs. Or that smile. Or the way he fills Sam’s free time with thrilling encounters—swimming under a cascade of stars, whispering secrets over s’mores, embarking on one (very precarious) canoe ride after dark.

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of 99 Days and Anna and the French Kiss, this unforgettable, sun-drenched summer romance from one of YA’s bestselling and most beloved authors, Sarah Mlynowski, is an irresistible dive into the joys of seizing the day and embracing the unexpected. Sam’s summer isn’t off to a great start. Her boyfriend, Eli, ditched her for a European backpacking trip, and now she’s a counselor at Camp Blue Springs: the summer camp her eleven-year-old self swore never to return to. Sam expects the next seven weeks to be a total disaster. That is, until she meets Gavin, the camp’s sailing instructor, who turns her expectations upside down. Gavin may have gotten the job just for his abs. Or that smile. Or the way he fills Sam’s free time with thrilling encounters—swimming under a cascade of stars, whispering secrets over s’mores, embarking on one (very precarious) canoe ride after dark.

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Book SynopsisLambda Literary Award Winner! “Pen is an inspiration to anyone who’s struggled to be understood, and a vital addition to the growing world of genderqueer protagonists.” —New York Times Book ReviewAll Pen wants is to be the kind of girl she’s always been. So why does everyone have a problem with it?They think the way she looks and acts means she’s trying to be a boy—that she should quit trying to be something she’s not. If she dresses like a girl, and does what her folks want, it will show respect. If she takes orders and does what her friend Colby wants, it will show her loyalty.But respect and loyalty, Pen discovers, are empty words. Old-world parents, disintegrating friendships, and strong feelings for other girls drive Pen to see the truth—that in order to be who she truly wants to be, she’ll have to man up.Now available in papeTrade Review“A powerful book about identity, belonging, and the collision between sexuality and cultural expectations.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “This is a fresh title in the growing sea of LGBTQ YA literature. There is no sugarcoating in this very real portrayal of an aspect of teen life that many experience. Recommended for fans of YA urban fiction as well as those who prefer grittier LGBTQ lit.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Fierce. Tender. Unstoppable.” — Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author of The Infinite Moment of Us and co-author of How to Be Bad “Original. Courageous. Vibrant.” — Michael Cart, Columnist at ALA Booklist and Former President of Young Adult Library Services Michael Cart, Editor of Taking Aim and How Beautiful the Ordinary “Heartfelt. Refreshing. True.” — Ariel Schrag, author of Potential and Adam “I loved it. A brilliant new writer to watch.” — Malinda Lo, author of Ash, Adaptation, and Inheritance and co-founder of Diversity in YA “Respeito for Pen.” — Sara Ryan, Award winning author of Empress of the World and Bad Houses “Raw. Real. Irresistable.” — I.W. Gregorio, author of None of the Above “Girard explores questions of family, friendship, loyalty, and identity through the voice of Pen Oliveira, a 16-year old girl ... [She] forcefully conveys the fear Pen lives with, having experienced frequent mockery and bullying, and her courage in aspiring to a safe, loving community for herself and her friends.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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