
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling to find their tribe or feels like their unique interests do not fit the typical high school mold. This story follows three distinct voices, T.C., Augie, and Ale, as they navigate their freshman year of high school in Boston. Through a series of diary entries, emails, and school assignments, the narrative captures the messy, joyous process of discovering one's identity. It explores themes of first love, the power of musical theater, and the importance of choosing your own family. Parents will appreciate the unrelenting optimism and the healthy, supportive relationships modeled between the teens and their parents. While it touches on the complexities of growing up and the vulnerability of coming out, the tone remains celebratory and life-affirming. It is an ideal pick for ages 12 and up, providing a safe but sophisticated space for readers to see that being different is actually a superpower.
Sweet, age-appropriate first dates and kissing.
Subplot involving a child in the foster care system and his search for a family.
There is also a subplot involving an orphaned child from the foster system, which is handled with deep empathy and ends in a hopeful, stable resolution.
A 13-year-old theater kid or creative soul who feels like they are 'too much' for their peers and needs to see a world where their enthusiasm is rewarded.
Be prepared to discuss the challenges faced by children in the foster care system. The book is remarkably clean for YA and emphasizes positive communication. A parent might notice their child retreating because they feel their specific hobbies (like old movies or obscure history) make them 'weird' or uncool.
Younger teens will focus on the 'first crush' and school dynamics. Older teens will appreciate the sophisticated humor and the nuances of the unconventional family structures.
Unlike many YA novels that rely on angst and tragedy, this book is unapologetically happy. It proves that 'realistic' fiction doesn't have to be 'gritty' to be meaningful. """
Narrated through a 'discovery' format of journals and emails, the book follows three ninth graders: T.C. (the dreamer), his best friend Augie (the theater enthusiast), and Ale (the diplomat's daughter). T.C. falls for Ale and tries to win her heart with help from the Red Sox and a young deaf boy he mentors, while Augie navigates his first romance with a boy and his obsession with Judy Garland.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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