OUT NOW, FROM Harper Teen
A DUAL POV ROMCOM ABOUT TWO GIRLS FALLING IN LIKE
Piper Kitts is spending the summer living with her grandmother, training at the barn of a former Olympic horseback rider and trying to get over her ex-girlfriend. Much to Piper's dismay, her grandmother is making her face her fear of driving head-on by forcing her to take lessons with a girl in town.
Kat Pearson has always suspected that she likes girls but fears her North Carolina town is too small to color outside the lines. But when Piper's grandmother hires Kat to give Piper driving lessons, everything changes.
Piper's not sure if she's ready to let go of her ex. Kat's navigating uncharted territory with her new crush. With the summer running out, will they be able to unlock a future together?
“ In a narrative alternating between both girls' perspectives, Brown offers up a sweet slow-burn romance built on a foundation of friendship and self-discovery. Readers will love being swept along for the ride. ”
- Booklist
“The story, told through alternating chapters narrated from each girl’s first-person perspective, gracefully and generously engages with gender and sexuality. Readers will laugh, cry, and cheer. ”
- Kirkus
"Brown focuses on a horse scene without explaining dressage, which may leave some readers confused about specifics, but witnessing the slow-burn relationship play out through alternately narrated chapters ends up working not only for the characters, but for readers, whose impatience will be replaced by satisfaction."
- Publisher's Weekly
“This book is super sweet! On the surface, Piper and Kat couldn't be more different, but I loved watching their relationship bloom from strangers to friends to girlfriends. This book also dealt with the challenges specifically facing older teens right in that space between childhood and adulthood. Loved the North Carolina setting, too!"
- BookMarks, Winston-Salem, NC
“This is a wonderful story and so refreshing to see. A light, awesome romcom between two girls is exactly the kind of story I've been dying to read. And THE KEY TO YOU AND ME did not disappoint. Piper and Kat are cute and awkward and absolutely adorable as the navigate normal teen relationship issues, heartaches, and triumphs. This story is relatable, it's fun, and one of those light reads with just the right amount of drama for you to sink your teeth into. Fantastic"
- Town Center Books, Collegeville, PA
"The Key to You and Me is much lighter in tone that this author's previous book, The Meaning of Birds. But it's every bit as good.”
- Bookmiser, Roswell, GA
A DUAL POV ROMCOM ABOUT TWO GIRLS FALLING IN LIKE
Piper Kitts is spending the summer living with her grandmother, training at the barn of a former Olympic horseback rider and trying to get over her ex-girlfriend. Much to Piper's dismay, her grandmother is making her face her fear of driving head-on by forcing her to take lessons with a girl in town.
Kat Pearson has always suspected that she likes girls but fears her North Carolina town is too small to color outside the lines. But when Piper's grandmother hires Kat to give Piper driving lessons, everything changes.
Piper's not sure if she's ready to let go of her ex. Kat's navigating uncharted territory with her new crush. With the summer running out, will they be able to unlock a future together?
“ In a narrative alternating between both girls' perspectives, Brown offers up a sweet slow-burn romance built on a foundation of friendship and self-discovery. Readers will love being swept along for the ride. ”
- Booklist
“The story, told through alternating chapters narrated from each girl’s first-person perspective, gracefully and generously engages with gender and sexuality. Readers will laugh, cry, and cheer. ”
- Kirkus
"Brown focuses on a horse scene without explaining dressage, which may leave some readers confused about specifics, but witnessing the slow-burn relationship play out through alternately narrated chapters ends up working not only for the characters, but for readers, whose impatience will be replaced by satisfaction."
- Publisher's Weekly
“This book is super sweet! On the surface, Piper and Kat couldn't be more different, but I loved watching their relationship bloom from strangers to friends to girlfriends. This book also dealt with the challenges specifically facing older teens right in that space between childhood and adulthood. Loved the North Carolina setting, too!"
- BookMarks, Winston-Salem, NC
“This is a wonderful story and so refreshing to see. A light, awesome romcom between two girls is exactly the kind of story I've been dying to read. And THE KEY TO YOU AND ME did not disappoint. Piper and Kat are cute and awkward and absolutely adorable as the navigate normal teen relationship issues, heartaches, and triumphs. This story is relatable, it's fun, and one of those light reads with just the right amount of drama for you to sink your teeth into. Fantastic"
- Town Center Books, Collegeville, PA
"The Key to You and Me is much lighter in tone that this author's previous book, The Meaning of Birds. But it's every bit as good.”
- Bookmiser, Roswell, GA
ON SHELVES NOW, FROM Harper Teen
Before:
Ever since her father’s death, Jessica has struggled with the anger building inside her. And being one of the only out teens in school hadn’t helped matters. But come sophomore year, all that changes when effervescent Vivi crashes into her life. As their relationship blossoms, Vivi not only helps Jess deal with her pain, she also encourages her to embrace her talent as an artist. Suddenly the future is a blank canvas, filled with possibilities.
After:
In the midst of senior year, Jess’s perfect world is erased in an instant when Vivi suddenly passes away. Reeling from another devastating loss, Jess falls back into her old ways. She gets into fights. She pushes away her family and friends. And she trashes her plans for art school. Because art is Vivi and Vivi is gone forever.
Desperate to escape her grief, Jess finds solace in her gritty work-study program, letting her dreams die. Until she makes an unexpected friend who shows her a new way to channel her anger, passion, and creativity. Jess may never draw again, but if she can find room in her heart to heal, she just might be able to forge a new path for herself.
“Told in alternating "then" and "now" chapters, the moving narrative captures well the nonlinear progression of Jess' grief and emotional growth. Frank and accessible, this gritty drama realizes with great compassion and empathy the ways reckoning with loss can manifest. ” - Kirkus Reviews (Starred review)
“Brown depicts Jess with raw realism, making the early sections hard going: she seems hell-bent on alienating everyone but her patient family to ensure that if Vivi doesn’t have a future, she won’t, either. At the same time, the anger-soaked beginning enriches the payoff, when a grief group and blacksmithing start to help Jess find her way, not out of grief, but back into life. ”
- Publisher's Weekly
"Brown’s exploration of loss is raw and devastating, placing readers directly into Jess’s turbulent experience through evocative present tense narration interspersed with vivid flashback chapters. The supporting characters are also complex and distinct. Brown captures the ambivalence of grief in this searing and ultimately hopeful novel."
- School Library Journal
THE MEANING OF BIRDS HAS BEEN NOMINATED AS A LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FINALIST FOR THE 2020 AWARD YEAR IN THE CATEGORY OF LGBTQ CHILDREN'S/YOUNG ADULT WITH THESE OTHER FINE BOOKS:
ON SHELVES NOW from SIMON PULSE
From Amy Reed, Ellen Hopkins, Amber Smith, Sandhya Menon, and more of your favorite YA authors comes an anthology of essays that explore the diverse experiences of injustice, empowerment, and growing up female in America.
This collection of twenty-one essays from major YA authors—including award-winning and bestselling writers—touches on a powerful range of topics related to growing up female in today’s America, and the intersection with race, religion, and ethnicity. Sure to inspire hope and solidarity to anyone who reads it, Our Stories, Our Voices belongs on every young woman’s shelf.
This anthology features essays from Martha Brockenbrough, Jaye Robin Brown, Sona Charaipotra, Brandy Colbert, Somaiya Daud, Christine Day, Alexandra Duncan, Ilene Wong (I.W.) Gregorio, Maurene Goo. Ellen Hopkins, Stephanie Kuehnert, Nina LaCour, Anna-Marie McLemore, Sandhya Menon, Hannah Moskowitz, Julie Murphy, Aisha Saeed, Jenny Torres Sanchez, Amber Smith, and Tracy Walker.
From Amy Reed, Ellen Hopkins, Amber Smith, Sandhya Menon, and more of your favorite YA authors comes an anthology of essays that explore the diverse experiences of injustice, empowerment, and growing up female in America.
This collection of twenty-one essays from major YA authors—including award-winning and bestselling writers—touches on a powerful range of topics related to growing up female in today’s America, and the intersection with race, religion, and ethnicity. Sure to inspire hope and solidarity to anyone who reads it, Our Stories, Our Voices belongs on every young woman’s shelf.
This anthology features essays from Martha Brockenbrough, Jaye Robin Brown, Sona Charaipotra, Brandy Colbert, Somaiya Daud, Christine Day, Alexandra Duncan, Ilene Wong (I.W.) Gregorio, Maurene Goo. Ellen Hopkins, Stephanie Kuehnert, Nina LaCour, Anna-Marie McLemore, Sandhya Menon, Hannah Moskowitz, Julie Murphy, Aisha Saeed, Jenny Torres Sanchez, Amber Smith, and Tracy Walker.
ON SHELVES NOW! FROM Harper Teen.
Joanna meets the perfect girl for her and must decide whether to break a promise that could change everything for her and her family or lose out on love in this charming young adult romance that’s perfect for fans of Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’ and Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.
Joanna Gordon has been out and proud for years, but when her popular radio evangelist father remarries and decides to move all three of them from Atlanta to the more conservative Rome, Georgia, he asks Jo to do the impossible: to lie low for the rest of her senior year. And Jo reluctantly agrees.
Although it is (mostly) much easier for Jo to fit in as a straight girl, things get complicated when she meets Mary Carlson, the oh-so-tempting sister of her new friend at school. But Jo couldn’t possibly think of breaking her promise to her dad. Even if she’s starting to fall for the girl. Even if there’s a chance Mary Carlson might be interested in her, too. Right?
(Kirkus Best Teen Book 2016, Bustle Best Young Adult Book 2016, ALA Rainbow Book List 2017, Bank Street Best Children's Book 2016, 10 Books All Young Georgians Should Read 2017. Best Teen Fiction 2016: Chicago Public Library, Reading Public Library, Pierce County Library, Teen Librarian Toolbox, Lawrence Pubic Library)
Order: Epic Reads, Indie Bound, Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Joanna meets the perfect girl for her and must decide whether to break a promise that could change everything for her and her family or lose out on love in this charming young adult romance that’s perfect for fans of Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’ and Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.
Joanna Gordon has been out and proud for years, but when her popular radio evangelist father remarries and decides to move all three of them from Atlanta to the more conservative Rome, Georgia, he asks Jo to do the impossible: to lie low for the rest of her senior year. And Jo reluctantly agrees.
Although it is (mostly) much easier for Jo to fit in as a straight girl, things get complicated when she meets Mary Carlson, the oh-so-tempting sister of her new friend at school. But Jo couldn’t possibly think of breaking her promise to her dad. Even if she’s starting to fall for the girl. Even if there’s a chance Mary Carlson might be interested in her, too. Right?
(Kirkus Best Teen Book 2016, Bustle Best Young Adult Book 2016, ALA Rainbow Book List 2017, Bank Street Best Children's Book 2016, 10 Books All Young Georgians Should Read 2017. Best Teen Fiction 2016: Chicago Public Library, Reading Public Library, Pierce County Library, Teen Librarian Toolbox, Lawrence Pubic Library)
Order: Epic Reads, Indie Bound, Amazon, Barnes & Noble
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR GEORGIA PEACHES AND OTHER FORBIDDEN FRUIT:
"A fast-paced narrative that is powerful, moving, and relatable. Brown expertly describes the complex nuances of faith and sexuality. This plot-driven story is humorous, and the characters are effortlessly likable. For fans of David Levithan and John Green’s Will Grayson, Will Grayson." - School Library Journal (Starred Review)
"Faith matters in this book, but so do family, friends, and being funny. The dialogue is snappy—Joanna is sharp tongued and sometimes bratty—and the characters aren’t types. Rather, they’re individuals navigating a complicated world, which makes for a rich and satisfying read." - Publisher's Weekly (Starred Review)
“Funny, thoughtful, compassionate Jo is a delightful narrator. The frank portrayals of swearing, sexual activity, underage drinking, etc., neither titillate nor condemn; they just depict teens being authentic teens. A sweet, sexy, honest teen romance that just happens to involve two girls—all the more charming for being so very ordinary.” - Kirkus Reviews (Starred review)
"This story is fun and funny with characters to root for (and against). But it’s more than just fun; it’s full of heart. Those who have struggled to reconcile faith and sexuality will find a book brimming with hope. It does not offer a rose-hued look at the world of religion and sexuality–it offers a clear glimpse of some of the more unpleasant ways people have decided to use the Bible to thump the LGBT community–but it also paints a picture of people of faith who love and embrace their LGBT family and friends." - AfterEllen.com
"Brimming with convincing dialogue that sparkles, Jo’s story is thoughtful and true. It’s peppered with familiar locations, from Fellini’s in Little Five Points to an artist’s Decatur warehouse along the railroad tracks. A memorable story and romance for anyone – no matter which way they fly." - Atlanta Journal Constitution
"A fast-paced narrative that is powerful, moving, and relatable. Brown expertly describes the complex nuances of faith and sexuality. This plot-driven story is humorous, and the characters are effortlessly likable. For fans of David Levithan and John Green’s Will Grayson, Will Grayson." - School Library Journal (Starred Review)
"Faith matters in this book, but so do family, friends, and being funny. The dialogue is snappy—Joanna is sharp tongued and sometimes bratty—and the characters aren’t types. Rather, they’re individuals navigating a complicated world, which makes for a rich and satisfying read." - Publisher's Weekly (Starred Review)
“Funny, thoughtful, compassionate Jo is a delightful narrator. The frank portrayals of swearing, sexual activity, underage drinking, etc., neither titillate nor condemn; they just depict teens being authentic teens. A sweet, sexy, honest teen romance that just happens to involve two girls—all the more charming for being so very ordinary.” - Kirkus Reviews (Starred review)
"This story is fun and funny with characters to root for (and against). But it’s more than just fun; it’s full of heart. Those who have struggled to reconcile faith and sexuality will find a book brimming with hope. It does not offer a rose-hued look at the world of religion and sexuality–it offers a clear glimpse of some of the more unpleasant ways people have decided to use the Bible to thump the LGBT community–but it also paints a picture of people of faith who love and embrace their LGBT family and friends." - AfterEllen.com
"Brimming with convincing dialogue that sparkles, Jo’s story is thoughtful and true. It’s peppered with familiar locations, from Fellini’s in Little Five Points to an artist’s Decatur warehouse along the railroad tracks. A memorable story and romance for anyone – no matter which way they fly." - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Available as E-book Now!
Will McKinney is a bad boy. At least, he used to be. After nearly getting arrested for some poor decisions involving prescription drugs, Will has been trying to turn over a new leaf. Well, it’s that or suffer the wrath of his father, the judge. Will's starting to get his life in Sevenmile, North Carolina, in order. He’s applying to colleges. He's dating the most popular girl at school. And he recently discovered a love of playing the banjo and performing in front of a crowd. But it's that same love of music that draws him to Amber Vaughn, his younger teenage brother's best friend. Now Will finds himself wondering if he just might really be a bad guy because even though he's got a girlfriend, he can't stop thinking about Amber.
Will’s Story is a companion novella to Jaye Robin Brown's young adult debut, No Place to Fall, and perfect for fans of her novel and newcomers alike.
Order: Epic Reads
Will McKinney is a bad boy. At least, he used to be. After nearly getting arrested for some poor decisions involving prescription drugs, Will has been trying to turn over a new leaf. Well, it’s that or suffer the wrath of his father, the judge. Will's starting to get his life in Sevenmile, North Carolina, in order. He’s applying to colleges. He's dating the most popular girl at school. And he recently discovered a love of playing the banjo and performing in front of a crowd. But it's that same love of music that draws him to Amber Vaughn, his younger teenage brother's best friend. Now Will finds himself wondering if he just might really be a bad guy because even though he's got a girlfriend, he can't stop thinking about Amber.
Will’s Story is a companion novella to Jaye Robin Brown's young adult debut, No Place to Fall, and perfect for fans of her novel and newcomers alike.
Order: Epic Reads
NO PLACE TO FALL - ON SHELVES NOW.
Amber Vaughn is a good girl. She sings solos at church, babysits her nephew after school, and spends every Friday night hanging out at her best friend Devon’s house. It’s only when Amber goes exploring in the woods near her home, singing camp songs with the hikers she meets on the Appalachian Trail, that she feels free—and when the bigger world feels just a little bit more in reach.
When Amber learns about an audition at the North Carolina School of the Arts, she decides that her dream—to sing on bigger stages—could also be her ticket to a new life. Devon’s older (and unavailable) brother, Will, helps Amber prepare for her one chance to try out for the hypercompetitive arts school. But the more time Will and Amber spend together, the more complicated their relationship becomes . . . and Amber starts to wonder if she’s such a good girl, after all.
Then, in an afternoon, the bottom drops out of her family’s world—and Amber is faced with an impossible choice between her promise as an artist and the people she loves. Amber always thought she knew what a good girl would do. But between “right” and “wrong,” there’s a whole world of possibilities.
Order: Epic Reads
Amber Vaughn is a good girl. She sings solos at church, babysits her nephew after school, and spends every Friday night hanging out at her best friend Devon’s house. It’s only when Amber goes exploring in the woods near her home, singing camp songs with the hikers she meets on the Appalachian Trail, that she feels free—and when the bigger world feels just a little bit more in reach.
When Amber learns about an audition at the North Carolina School of the Arts, she decides that her dream—to sing on bigger stages—could also be her ticket to a new life. Devon’s older (and unavailable) brother, Will, helps Amber prepare for her one chance to try out for the hypercompetitive arts school. But the more time Will and Amber spend together, the more complicated their relationship becomes . . . and Amber starts to wonder if she’s such a good girl, after all.
Then, in an afternoon, the bottom drops out of her family’s world—and Amber is faced with an impossible choice between her promise as an artist and the people she loves. Amber always thought she knew what a good girl would do. But between “right” and “wrong,” there’s a whole world of possibilities.
Order: Epic Reads
