Synopses & Reviews
Just when seventeen-year-old Cullen Witter thinks he understands everything about his small and painfully dull Arkansas town, it all disappears. . . .
In the summer before Cullen's senior year, a nominally-depressed birdwatcher named John Barling thinks he spots a species of woodpecker thought to be extinct since the 1940s in Lily, Arkansas. His rediscovery of the so-called Lazarus Woodpecker sparks a flurry of press and woodpecker-mania. Soon all the kids are getting woodpecker haircuts and everyone's eating "Lazarus burgers." But as absurd as the town's carnival atmosphere has become, nothing is more startling than the realization that Cullen’s sensitive, gifted fifteen-year-old brother Gabriel has suddenly and inexplicably disappeared.
While Cullen navigates his way through a summer of finding and losing love, holding his fragile family together, and muddling his way into adulthood, a young missionary in Africa, who has lost his faith, is searching for any semblance of meaning wherever he can find it. As distant as the two stories seem at the start, they are thoughtfully woven ever closer together and through masterful plotting, brought face to face in a surprising and harrowing climax.
Complex but truly extraordinary, tinged with melancholy and regret, comedy and absurdity, this novel finds wonder in the ordinary and emerges as ultimately hopeful. It's about a lot more than what Cullen calls, “that damn bird.” It’s about the dream of second chances.
Review
and#8220;In this darkly humorous debut, Whaley weaves two stories into a taut and well-constructed thrillerand#8230;Vulnerability balances Cullen's arch sarcasm, and the maelstrom of media attention lavished on the woodpecker offers an element of the absurd, especially when juxtaposed against the mystery of Gabriel's disappearance. The portentous tone and flat affect of Whaley's writing is well-suited to the story's religious themes and symbolismand#8230; as Whaley gradually brings the story's many threads together in a disturbing, heartbreaking finale that retains a touch of hope.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; --andlt;Bandgt;andlt;iandgt;Publishers Weeklyandlt;/iandgt;,andlt;/Bandgt; April 11, 2011, andlt;bandgt;*STARandlt;/bandgt;
Review
and#8220;In a build-up that explores the process of grief, second chances and even the meaning of life, Cullenand#8217;s and Cabotand#8217;s worlds slowly intersect and solve the mystery of Gabrieland#8217;s disappearance in this multilayered debut for sophisticated readers. Unexpected, thought-provoking storytelling.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; --andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Kirkus,andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; April 15, 2011
Review
"The author has managed to capture his charactersand#8217; feelings of loss and despair with both compassion and empathy. The plot is extremely well thought out and encompasses the tangle of teenage relationships, friendships, and life experiences using humor and thoughtful language...authentic, small-town teenagers; and the main protagonist, Cullen, is well-developed and convincing. An unexpected ending brings about a moving close to the novel."andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; --andlt;iandgt;VOYA, andlt;/iandgt;June 2011
Review
and#8220;The charactersand#8217; reactions are palpable as their grief deepens and yet they continue to hope for Gabrieland#8217;s return. Cullen is an eloquent, thoughtful narratorand#8230;the ending is worth the wait.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; --andlt;iandgt;School Library Journal,andlt;/iandgt; July 2011
Review
and#8220;What will hold readers most is the moving story of Cullenand#8217;s beloved younger brother, who suddenly goes missing, leading to mystery, heartbreak, and an astonishing resolution on the very last pageand#8230;An intriguing, memorable offering teens will want to discuss.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; --andlt;Iandgt;Booklist, andlt;/Iandgt;May 2011
Review
"Every now and then a book rises to the top. Where Things Come Back soars. Keep your eye on author Corey Whaley. That is, if you can see the stratosphere." Ellen Hopkins, New York Times bestselling author of the Crank Trilogy
Review
and#8220;[A] smart, darkly funny, and multilayered debutand#8230;. Whaley weaves numerous story lines and themes together with the confidence of a seasoned writer, resulting in a thought-provoking story about media, faith, and family.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; --andlt;iandgt;Publishers Weekly, andlt;/iandgt;November 7, 2011, a "Best Books of 2011" selection
Review
"Roskos has created a character that does not necessarily change throughout the book, but learns to live with himself as he is, to celebrate himself and those around him even as flawed as they are."
—VOYA, 4Q 3P S
"Self-deprecating humor abounds in this debut novel that pulls no punches about the experience of depression and anxiety for its teen protagonist . . . Captivating introspection from a winning character."
—Kirkus, starred review
"Author Roskos's strength lies in his refusal to tidy up the mess in James's life and in his relentless honesty about surviving with depression and anxiety."
—Horn Book
"Roskos effectively sketches James as a boy who is far more comfortable inside his own head than in connecting with others . . . Bravely facing real sorrow, James confronts his problems with grace and courage."
—Publishers Weekly
"Roskos' first novel is rich with hilarity and realistic inner dialogue . . . Give this darkly funny debut to fans of Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower."
—Booklist
"Roskos perfectly captures the voice of a teen."
—School Library Journal
"Many teen readers will recognize their own mood swings as they are amplified through James' pendulum, and they'll be enlightened by his revelation that life can be possible and rewarding even when it's really hard."
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Review
"I have never read a book more gripping, nor a book more triumphantly alive. I love how it haunts me still. I swear, I will never forget
The Dead I Know."
—John Marsden, author of Tomorrow, When the War Began
* "Despite the heavy topics explored in the novel . . . Gardner writes with sensitivity and in a way that is accessible to teens. With humorous interactions and their unwavering belief that Aaron is worthwhile, Mr. Barton and his daughter, Skye, help him appreciate life in the midst of death and tragedy. A darkly funny book."
—School Library Journal, starred review
* "Each plotline is woven skillfully in among the others, and each is resolved with gravity, dignity and care. The sense of family—both found and lost—is palpable throughout. Simply told and powerfully moving."
—Kirkus, starred review
* "Gardner's rich novel combines flashes of dark humor, an elusive narrator, and a carefully rendered supporting cast to create profound moments that will linger in readers' minds."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Gardner's descriptions of funeral work compellingly mix dark humor and a respectful tone. Aaron's mother's health, his dark past, and the question of whether he can embrace his new life combine in an engaging through line that will engross readers."
—Booklist
"Moments of warmth and humor lighten the psychological suspense and frank depiction of death in Gardner's engrossing novel."
—Horn Book
* "Despite hints of the past and hope for the future, the story remains firmly grounded in the present, with a sense of immediacy that draws the reader in . . . Readers looking for a tightly crafted character-driven story will happily find themselves making friends with the darkly strange Aaron."
—Bulletin, starred review
Review
STARRED REVIEW
"Noah’s voice is authentic and draws readers into the narrative and its specific time and place...A sound addition to any YA collection."
Review
"Beaufrand's masterful pace compels readers toward the satisfying though heartbreaking conclusion, prodding them to question throughout whether Noah's story takes place in reality or in a dissociative hellscape. A chilling yet poignant story about the suffering in front of us that we can't bear to see."
Synopsis
Winner of the 2012 Michael L. Printz and William C. Morris Awards, this poignant and hilarious story of loss and redemption explores the process of grief, second chances, and even the meaning of life (Kirkus Reviews).
In the remarkable, bizarre, and heart-wrenching summer before Cullen Witter s senior year of high school, he is forced to examine everything he thinks he understands about his small and painfully dull Arkansas town. His cousin overdoses; his town becomes absurdly obsessed with the alleged reappearance of an extinct woodpecker; and most troubling of all, his sensitive, gifted fifteen-year-old brother, Gabriel, suddenly and inexplicably disappears.
Meanwhile, the crisis of faith spawned by a young missionary s disillusion in Africa prompts a frantic search for meaning that has far-reaching consequences. As distant as the two stories initially seem, they are woven together through masterful plotting and merge in a surprising and harrowing climax.
This extraordinary tale from a rare literary voice finds wonder in the ordinary and illuminates the hope of second chances."
Synopsis
In the remarkable, bizarre, and heart-wrenching summer before Cullen Witter’s senior year of high school, everything he thinks he understands about his small and painfully dull Arkansas town vanishes. His cousin overdoses; his town becomes absurdly obsessed with the alleged reappearance of an extinct woodpecker; and most troubling of all, his sensitive, gifted fifteen-year-old brother, Gabriel, suddenly and inexplicably disappears.
As Cullen navigates a summer of finding and losing love, holding his fragile family together, and muddling his way into adulthood, a young, disillusioned missionary in Africa searches for meaning wherever he can find it. Through masterful plotting, these two stories are brought face-to-face in a surprising and harrowing climax that is tinged with melancholy and regret, comedy and absurdity, and above all, hope.
Synopsis
andlt;Bandgt;Winner of the 2012 Michael L. Printz and William C. Morris Awards, this poignant and hilarious story of loss and redemption and#8220;explores the process of grief, second chances, and even the meaning of lifeand#8221; (andlt;iandgt;Kirkus Reviewsandlt;/iandgt;).andlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;In the remarkable, bizarre, and heart-wrenching summer before Cullen Witterand#8217;s senior year of high school, he is forced to examine everything he thinks he understands about his small and painfully dull Arkansas town. His cousin overdoses; his town becomes absurdly obsessed with the alleged reappearance of an extinct woodpecker; and most troubling of all, his sensitive, gifted fifteen-year-old brother, Gabriel, suddenly and inexplicably disappears.andlt;BRandgt;Meanwhile, the crisis of faith spawned by a young missionaryand#8217;s disillusion in Africa prompts a frantic search for meaning that has far-reaching consequences. As distant as the two stories initially seem, they are woven together through masterful plotting and merge in a surprising and harrowing climax.andlt;BRandgt;This extraordinary tale from a rare literary voice finds wonder in the ordinary and illuminates the hope of second chances.
Synopsis
Aaron Rowe walks in his sleep and haunted by dreams he can’t explain and memories he can’t recover. Death doesn’t scare him—his new job with a funeral director may even be his salvation. But if he doesn’t discover the truth about his hidden past soon, he may fall asleep one night and never wake up. In this dark and witty psychological drama about survival, Aaron finds that making peace with the dead may be easier than coming to terms with the living.
Synopsis
A teenager's attempt to save himself by writing poems, hugging trees, and figuring out what it takes to be a good brother. James experiences the highs and lows of teenage depression while he tries to figure out how its possible to survive, even when parents and teachers do everything they can to make a kid feel crazy.
Synopsis
2014 Morris Award finalist
“I hate myself but I love Walt Whitman, the kook. Always positive. I need to be more positive, so I wake myself up every morning with a song of myself.” Sixteen-year-old James Whitman has been yawping (à la Whitman) at his abusive father ever since he kicked his beloved older sister, Jorie, out of the house. Jamess painful struggle with anxiety and depression—along with his ongoing quest to understand what led to his self-destructive sisters exile—make for a heart-rending read, but his wild, exuberant Whitmanization of the world and keen sense of humor keep this emotionally charged debut novel buoyant.
Synopsis
A compelling tale of redemption and tour-de-force YA debut, Ask the Dark is an absorbing first-person thriller about Billy Zeets, a 14-year-old semi-delinquent in a deadly tango with a killer.
Synopsis
“Ask the Dark will keep you up all night, and its flawed, real hero will haunt your day. I wish I’d written it.” —Michael Grant, New York Times best-selling author of Gone and BZRK
Billy Zeets has a story to tell.
About being a vandal and petty thief.
About missing boys and an elusive killer.
And about what happens if a boy who breaks all the rules is the only person who can piece together the truth.
Gripping and powerful, this masterful debut novel comes to vivid life through the unique voice of a hero as unlikely as he is unforgettable.
“Ask the Dark is absolutely remarkable. Readers will line up for this one.”—Michael Cart, past president of YALSA and ALAN
Synopsis
Laura Lettel is the most beautiful girl in the world. . . and Andrews not-so-secret infatuation.
Now hes leaving high school behind and looking ahead to a fresh start at college and distance from his obsessive crush. But when a terrible accident leaves him without the companionship of his two best friends, Andrew is cast adrift and aloneuntil Laura unexpectedly offers him comfort, friendship, and the support of a youth group of true believers, fundamentalist Christians with problems and secrets of their own. Andrew is curiously drawn to their consuming beliefs, but why? Is it only to get closer to Laura? And is Laura genuinely interested in Andrew, or is she just trying to convert him?
This provocative and compelling debut novel will resonate deeply with readers as it explores questions of identity, sexuality, and spirituality.
Synopsis
In Portland in 1983, girls are disappearing. Noah, a teen punk with a dark past, becomes obsessed with finding out where they’ve gone—and he’s convinced their disappearance has something to do with the creepy German owners of a local brewery, the PfefferBrau Haus. Noah worries about the missing girls as a way of avoiding the fact that something’s seriously wrong with his best friend, Evan. Could it be the same dark force that’s pulling them all down?
When the PfefferBrau Haus opens its doors for a battle of the bands, Noah pulls his band, the Gallivanters, back together in order to get to the bottom of the mystery. But there’s a new addition to the band: an enigmatic David Bowie look-alike named Ziggy. And secrets other than where the bodies are buried will be revealed. From Edgar-nominated author M. J. Beaufrand, this is a story that gets to the heart of grief and loss while also being hilarious, fast paced, and heartbreaking.
About the Author
Pratima Cranse was born and raised in Vermont. She now lives in New Hampshire with her husband, daughter, and their two magnificent cats. When shes not writing, Pratima enjoys jogging very slowly (some might call it shuffling), and spending time with her family.