About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is feeling the crushing weight of unmet expectations or the sting of a 'failed' dream. It speaks directly to the adolescent who feels they have peaked too early and is struggling to reconcile their grand ambitions with a messy, unglamorous reality. The story follows Josie Pie, a high school dropout whose Broadway dreams have collapsed, leading her to literally fall into the books she reads. This clever premise allows for a humorous yet poignant exploration of escapism versus accountability. While it features some light teen romance and genre parody, the heart of the book is about finding the courage to be 'ordinary' and the resilience to start over. It is an excellent choice for 13 to 17 year olds who love meta-fiction or are grappling with the pressure to be exceptional.
