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

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Rh Childrens Books
Published: 02/20/2018
ISBN: 9780553496932
Pages: 256
Weight: 0.45lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.40w x 0.60d

Review Citations: Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2018 - Recommended, Satisfactory

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 189411 / Optimists Die First
Reading Level: 4.1 / Interest Level: Upper Grade / Point Value: 6