Five starred reviews

Quagmire Tiarello doesn’t follow anyone’s rules except his own. But two things are messing with that plan this summer. First, his friend Cassie talks him into joining a summer theater group and that group has its own rules of engagement. And, second, his mom’s increasingly unstable behavior is making it awfully hard to keep some secrets that Quag has been keeping for a long time. When his mom takes off on a wild cross-country trip, Quag is forced to grapple with the cost of secrets, a new-found family, and whether the way he’s always handled the world is something he wants to change.

“[An] amazing story told with deep understanding and touched with humor. Buy it, read it, talk about it, and share the love by passing it on.” Booklist, starred review

“An original narrative voice filled with humor and poignant truth-telling.” Kirkus, starred review

“. . . gorgeously written story that centers a teen yearning for stability and support.” Publishers Weekly, starred review

“. . . thoughtful and heartbreakingly realistic. . .” Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review

“Moving and quick-paced. . .” The Horn Book, starred review

Books! Books! Books!