#1 New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins's poignant
middle grade novel in verse about coming to terms with indelible truths
of family and belonging.
For the most part, Hannah's life is just how she wants it. She has two
supportive parents, she's popular at school, and she's been killing it
at gymnastics. But when her cousin Cal moves in with her family,
everything changes. Cal tells half-truths and tall tales, pranks Hannah
constantly, and seems to be the reason her parents are fighting more and
more. Nothing is how it used to be. She knows that Cal went through a
lot after his mom died and she is trying to be patient, but most days
Hannah just wishes Cal never moved in.
For his part, Cal is trying his hardest to fit in, but not everyone is
as appreciative of his unique sense of humor and storytelling gifts as
he is. Humor and stories might be his defense mechanism, but if Cal
doesn't let his walls down soon, he might push away the very people who
are trying their best to love him.
Told in verse from the alternating perspectives of Hannah and Cal, this
is a story of two cousins who are more alike than they realize and the
family they both want to save.