Publishers Weekly
04/24/2017
Dylan was terminally ill with cancer, then miraculously went into remission. During years spent indoors and in hospitals, Dylan’s life largely revolved around playing World of Warcraft, where he met and befriended a gamer named Arden, who was born David but now lives as a girl. Sixteen years old and facing a future he never expected to have, Dylan shows up at Arden’s house unannounced. Arden is happy to see Dylan, who’s gay, and the two embark on a road trip, finding more than a few hurdles while en route to California. Dylan narrates in a clipped, introspective voice as he and Arden swap stories, get their car stolen, and sell Dylan’s leftover cancer drugs in order to keep the road trip going. Debut author Harrison takes on several substantial topics, including the aftermath of disease, prescription pill abuse, gender identity, and sexuality. The characters’ conflicts gracefully counterbalance their growing intimacy as they move toward a destination that is less significant than the journey itself. Ages 13–up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
Harrison treats her characters with love and kindness, even when they’re not kind to themselves. This book is a triumph, allowing honesty, excitement, humor, and heart to step over gender and sexuality constraints and tell a beautiful story.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Boldly thrusts transgender issues into the spotlight in a way unheard of before. A satisfying read I’ll return to again and again.” — New York Times Bestselling Author Zac Brewer
“The characters’ differences, desires, and perceptions, are captivating... The story could prompt spirited intergenerational book discussions.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“Dylan’s narration, in taut paragraphs with white space between them, eloquently captures issues... This is a tender tale of love on the road.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Harrison’s writing is often lovely as she portrays Dylan’s kaleidoscopic emotions. Like that of David in Lisa Williamson’s The Art of Being Normal (2015), Dylan’s first-person narrative is deeply introspective and intense.” — Booklist
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
The characters’ differences, desires, and perceptions, are captivating... The story could prompt spirited intergenerational book discussions.
Booklist
Harrison’s writing is often lovely as she portrays Dylan’s kaleidoscopic emotions. Like that of David in Lisa Williamson’s The Art of Being Normal (2015), Dylan’s first-person narrative is deeply introspective and intense.
New York Times Bestselling Author Zac Brewer
Boldly thrusts transgender issues into the spotlight in a way unheard of before. A satisfying read I’ll return to again and again.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Dylan’s narration, in taut paragraphs with white space between them, eloquently captures issues... This is a tender tale of love on the road.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Dylan’s narration, in taut paragraphs with white space between them, eloquently captures issues... This is a tender tale of love on the road.
Booklist
Harrison’s writing is often lovely as she portrays Dylan’s kaleidoscopic emotions. Like that of David in Lisa Williamson’s The Art of Being Normal (2015), Dylan’s first-person narrative is deeply introspective and intense.
School Library Journal
03/01/2017
Gr 8 Up—Dylan Stefansky was diagnosed with cancer when he was in his early teens. Several years later, he's in remission, maybe even cured. When he returns to his high school to register, the secretary insists that he cannot do so without a parent or guardian present. Since Dylan's mother works nights and doesn't like to give up her sleeping time, Dylan is reluctant to call her. Instead, he gets in his car and drives west. In the back of his mind, Dylan is thinking about heading to California, to the Salton Sea, to look for a fabled sunken ship. Driving along the I-70, he sees a sign for a town called Amaranth, which he realizes is where Arden, whom he met playing World of Warcraft, lives. He dumps his mother's decrepit Monte Carlo at a gas station and borrows the clerk's phone to find Arden's address. The next day, the two of them head out on their quest. Arden (who is trans) and Dylan (who is gay) develop a strong emotional and physical relationship during their road trip, which is fraught with problems. When they eventually make it to California and find the Salton Sea, Dylan convinces Arden to return home, while he remains. This conclusion may frustrate readers who want a happy-ever-after ending. The slow pace of this road trip novel may also deter some teens. VERDICT This well-written but complex book is recommended for libraries needing to expand their LGBTQ collections for advanced readers.—Marlyn Beebe, Long Beach Public Library, CA
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2017-02-04
When two teen gamers meet IRL, they go on a quest to get to know each other.A pale, thin, formerly-dying-but-now-in-remission boy named Dylan is standing in front of his best friend, Arden. They've spent countless nights playing, chatting, laughing, and flirting in World of Warcraft, and though they've never actually met offline, she invites him in. Through WoW, the awkwardness of the unplanned real-life meeting melts away. The next morning, after hearing Arden arguing with her father, Dylan invites her on a real quest to the Mojave Desert, and to his surprise, she agrees, and they're off. When he first lays eyes on her, Dylan is struck by Arden's beauty—pale skin, dark curls, tall and lean—but banishes further thoughts. He's gay, and she's a girl. But as they move in and out of familiarity and tension, Dylan gets over himself and makes it clear he's into her. She's wary at first—she's trans and checks that he's not confused about her—but she admits she's into him, too. Short paragraphs in Dylan's hyperaware present-tense narration draw readers in. Harrison treats her characters with love and kindness, even when they're not kind to themselves, making for a sweet, sincere romance, perfect for smartasses who cringe at the genre. This book is a triumph, allowing honesty, excitement, humor, and heart to step over gender and sexuality constraints and tell a beautiful story. (Fiction. 13-adult)
