Catch

Everything comes easy for Tim Temples. He’s got a sweet summer job, lots of love from the ladies, and parties with his high school buddies. Why does he need to go to college?

Then Tim falls hard for Helena—a worldly and mysterious twenty-two year-old. Their relationship opens his eyes to life outside the small town of Mattoon, Illinois. Now Tim has to choose: Will he settle for being a small town hero, or will he leave it all behind to follow his dreams?

-The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review

"Will Leitch's first novel is a coming-of-age story that will resonate for young people and adults alike. His main character's move from an unexamined existence to one in which he is fully engaged in the joy, the insecurity, the pain, and the challenge of life rings with authenticity and sincerity."

-James Frey, author of Oprah's Book Club pick A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard

"Teens will recognize people they know among these characters, some admirable, most deeply flawed, all genuine. This is a keenly felt and absorbing read about this bittersweet rite of passage."

-School Library Journal

"For many, the Citizen Kane of young adult literature is Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas (Simon and Schuster, 1996/VOYA June 1996).A decade later, this debut novel by Leitch is worthy of comparison to Rats for its heart wrenching honesty of voice and vision."

-VOYA

"Will Leitch's first novel provides an unvarnished look at what it's really like to grow up in small-town America today. Refreshingly honest, compulsively readable, and darkly funny, Catch will win legions of fans."

-John Green, author of Looking For Alaska

"Will Leitch's Catch illuminates with careful strokes a particular sort of coming-of-age--that of the Midwestern jock--but will appeal to any reader, no matter how dorky, no matter how urban. An honest and heartfelt book."

-Ned Vizzini, author of Be More Chill and Teen Angst? Naaah . . .