Author(s): Alicia D. Williams; Danica Novgorodoff (Illustrator)

Middle Readers

A tender-souled boy reeling from the death of his best friend struggles to fit into a world that wants him to grow up tough and unfeeling in this stunning middle grade novel in verse from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Genesis Begins Again.It's the summer before high school and Isaiah feels lost. He thought this summer was going to be just him and his homies Drew and Darius, hangin' out, doing wheelies, and watching martial arts movies--a lot of chillin' before high school and the Future. But more and more, Drew will barely talk to him--barely even look at him--and though he won't admit it, Isaiah knows it's because of Darius, because Darius is...gone. And Isaiah wasn't even there when it happened, with his best friend in his final moments. But he's going to be there now. Him and Drew both, they're gonna spend the summer breaking every single record they can think of, for Darius, for his dream of breaking world records. But Drew's not the same Drew, and Isaiah being Isaiah isn't enough for Drew anymore. Not his taste in music, his love for D&D, his interest in taking photos, or his aversion to jumping off rooftops. The real Isaiah is sensitive; he's uncool. And one day something unspeakable happens to Isaiah that makes him think Drew's right. If only he could be less sensitive, more tough, less weird, more cool, more contained, less him, things would be easier. But how much can Isaiah keep inside until he shatters wide open?