Award-winning author Susin Nielsen has written a laugh-out-loud and
heartrending novel for fans of Robyn Schneider's Extraordinary Means
and Cammie McGovern's Say What You Will.
Beware: Life ahead.
Sixteen-year-old Petula de Wilde is anything but wild. A former crafting
fiend with a happy life, Petula shut herself off from the world after a
family tragedy. She sees danger in all the ordinary things, like
crossing the street, a bug bite, or a germy handshake. She knows: life
is out to get you.
The worst part of her week is her comically lame mandatory art therapy
class with a small group of fellow misfits. Then a new boy, Jacob,
appears at school and in her therapy group. He seems so normal and
confident, though he has a prosthetic arm; and soon he teams up with
Petula on a hilarious project, gradually inspiring her to let go of some
of her fears. But as the two grow closer, a hidden truth behind why he's
in the group threatens to derail them, unless Petula takes a huge risk.
. .
Praise:
Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year
"Nielsen writes with sensitivity, empathy, and humor." --Kirkus
Reviews, Starred
"Nielsen excels at depicting troubled, clever teenagers in familiar
environments." --School Library Journal, Starred
"[An] empathic and deeply moving story, balanced by sharply funny
narration and dialogue." --Publishers Weekly, Starred
"A poignant exploration into the nuances of healing." --Quill and
Quire, Starred
