About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager feels paralyzed by the pressure to have their entire life figured out, or when they are struggling with the transition from high school to 'real life.' Stan is a former boy genius who, instead of heading to an elite university, finds himself stuck working at the local video store while his peers move on. It is a witty and honest look at self-doubt, the fear of failure, and the realization that 'success' does not always follow a linear path. While the tone is humorous and sarcastic, the emotional core deals deeply with identity and the anxiety of being left behind. Parents will appreciate how it validates the messy, non-traditional path to adulthood for teens who do not fit the standard mold of achievement. It is appropriate for older teens who can handle some mature language and the cynical, dry humor of a protagonist trying to find his footing.
