The Real Deal

by Lindsey Stoddard, Gary Tiedemann (Read by), Jacob McNatt (Read by)

Overview

“An absolute treasure. Vibrant, charming, and absolutely real.”—Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author of Operation Sisterhood

Two best friends discover the danger and power of secrets in this pitch perfect standalone from the acclaimed author of Just Like Jackie and Brave Like That.

Not every friendship can be the real deal, but for Gabe and Oliver, that’s never been a question.

Until now. Things still feel the same on the surface—they’re even making a comic about their friendship—but lately Oliver’s acting like he might be hiding something.

And then there’s Reuben, the new boy who just moved to town. He doesn’t talk—not ever. The other kids say mean things and call him names behind his back. Gabe knows it isn’t right—but he and Oliver stay quiet, or worse, laugh along with the others just to keep from standing out.

Through the character he and Oliver create in their comic adventure, the experience they have babysitting twin toddlers, and with the help of a troublemaking seventh grader who gets sent to their sixth-grade class, Gabe begins to find his voice and become the realest-deal version of his own self. But if he does that—can he still hold onto his best friend, too?

Perfect for fans of Lisa Graff and Linda Mullaly Hunt, this novel from Lindsey Stoddard, whose stories were lauded as “remarkable” by the New York Times Book Review, will have fans new and old hooked.  

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798212038812
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	10/25/2022
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 5.70(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Lindsey Stoddard was born and raised in Vermont. She spent twelve years living in NYC and taught middle school English at MS 324 in the neighborhood of Washington Heights. She recently moved back to Vermont with her husband and two children. Right as Rain is her second novel, following the acclaimed Just Like Jackie.

Gary Tiedemann is a Florida and New York-based narrator, but learned how to act in Chicago's improv, sketch-comedy, and theater scene. He came to audiobook narration after voicing countless commercials and videos over a twenty-year voice-over career. Gary has also appeared in hundreds of improv and sketch performances at Chicago's Annoyance Theatre, iO, The Second City, and in dozens of theater roles as a cofounder of The New Colony Theatre. When Gary is not in a booth, he is probably outside wondering if there is time to go camping.

Editorial Reviews

09/05/2022

When Gabe’s teacher announces that a new student, Reuben, will be joining the sixth grade class, she mentions that Reuben “doesn’t speak,” igniting curiosity and even scorn among the students. Despite the bad feeling it gives him, Gabe initially laughs along, before checking his gut feeling and beginning to connect with Reuben. Amid Reuben’s arrival—and the addition of Rae, a seventh grader sent to join the class until she makes an apology—Gabe works on persuading his protective mother to let him take a summer backpacking trip with best friend Oliver, who seems to be keeping something from Gabe. As a condition of the trip, Gabe’s mom asks him to join the school’s Nature Club, and the lessons Gabe learns in the club and from the classroom’s new students give him the courage to stand up for what he believes, and to be there for Oliver when he needs Gabe most. Alternating with brief interstitials from Reuben’s perspective, Stoddard (Bea Is for Blended) employs Gabe’s candid and introspective first-person observations, making for a warm narrative of school community and personal growth. Protagonists cue as white. Ages 8–12. Agent: Stephen Barbara, InkWell Management. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"This is a moving story about friendship, family and the courage it takes to stand up to one’s peers, a story that drew me right in and kept me absorbed until the last page. An ode to the strength of silence, as well as the power of words." — Padma Venkatraman, Walter Award winning author of The Bridge Home

"A brilliant, bold, and beautiful book. Lindsey Stoddard tackles tough, thorny topics with nuance and grace, never once compromising readability or relatability. She is the real deal." — author-illustrator Jarrett Lerner

"This genuinely thoughtful and ultimately joyful gem about friendship and the many ways that a voice has power is an absolute treasure. I was rooting for Gabe from the moment I met him and was captivated as he navigated his way through the small moments that have big meaning in middle school life, surprising himself along the way. The Real Deal is laced with humor, and brimming with an abundance of heart — vibrant, charming, and absolutely real."   — Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author of Operation Sisterhood

"A warm narrative of school community and personal growth." — Publishers Weekly

“The story does a lot of things well, including its subtle examination of masculinity and friendship.” — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Bea is for Blended: "A little bit coming of age, family drama, sports hype, and school shenanigans all rolled into one for an appealing read." — School Library Journal

“Stoddard’s characters are fully formed in her latest book, and the themes of family and equality run throughout. Bea is a spitfire of a main character up against an antagonist that readers can cheer against.” — Booklist

Praise for Brave Like That: “Family, love, loyalty, friendship, and bravery are tested in this small-town narrative. A great novel for any tween learning to find their own voice.” — Booklist

“Heartfelt and triumphant. Cyrus’s journey toward self-acceptance will inspire readers of all ages.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“Help comes from surprising directions in this moving, character-driven tale. With a strong, never-preachy anti-bullying message, this one scores a touchdown.” — Kirkus Reviews

"A heartrending and compassionate read about how standing up for something can help you stand up for yourself." — Lesa Cline-Ransome, award-winning author of Finding Langston

"Lindsey Stoddard creates a highly relatable character in Cyrus Olson then puts him on a perfectly paced journey of the heart. Destination: the bravery to reveal his most authentic self to the people he loves."   — Leslie Connor, author of The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle

“This exploration of courage has a good strong heart-beat: both in terms of compassion and suspense.” — Newbery award winning author Laura Amy Schlitz

Praise for Right as Rain: “This touching middle grade novel addresses the heartache of loss while also providing an insightful, accessible introduction to privilege, homelessness, and gentrification. Honest, gut-wrenching, and hopeful, this is a story about letting people in and discovering you’re a part of something larger.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“Timely, well-integrated themes, a vibrant setting, and well-drawn, likable characters make this a winner.”  — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Stoddard has a knack for writing strong, feisty protagonists [and] her exploration of grief’s grip on a family rings true and tender. A remarkable job.” — New York Times Book Review

“Stoddard excels at low-key atmosphere and characterization. Rain’s an admirably strong and sensitive heroine, and her approach to a tough transition will appeal to many readers.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Stoddard has written a beautiful story about a resilient girl many readers will be able to relate to, and she gently hits on tough topics, such as death and divorce, in a tender and truthful manner.”  — Booklist

PRAISE FOR Just Like Jackie: “I was truly moved by this refreshing story about a scrappy young heroine and her struggle to protect her family.” — Sara Pennypacker, New York Times bestselling author of Pax

A story about scratching the surface (and welcoming what you find below). It’s also a lovely story of acceptance - about what makes a family and how we make our own families, and about embracing our differences.” — Ann M. Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Rain Reign

“As close to perfect as a book for middle-grade children can get! Readers will cheer for Robbie as she comes to terms with the family she has and finds the family she needs.” — Cammie McGovern, author of Just My Luck

“A coming-of-age novel as feisty, funny, and forthright as its protagonist. Robinson overcomes obstacles with wit, grit, and a growing compassion for others, showing us that families are what we make them and happiness is found in the simple gifts we take for granted. A rich, rewarding read.” — John David Anderson, author of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day

“Stoddard debuts with a quiet but powerful narrative that gently unpacks Alzheimer’s, centers mental health, and moves through the intimate and intense emotional landscape of family—what seems to break one and what can remake it. Validating, heart-rending, and a deft blend of suffering and inspiration.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“This emotionally honest, sensitively written novel confronts a range of difficult topics and offers an inclusive view of what family can look like.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A home-run story that will resonate with all who feel they might not fit into the perfect definition of a family.” — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

An absolute treasure. Vibrant, charming, and absolutely real.”

author of Operation Sisterhood Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

"A heartrending and compassionate read about how standing up for something can help you stand up for yourself."

Lesa Cline-Ransome

Stoddard’s characters are fully formed in her latest book, and the themes of family and equality run throughout. Bea is a spitfire of a main character up against an antagonist that readers can cheer against.

Booklist

"Lindsey Stoddard creates a highly relatable character in Cyrus Olson then puts him on a perfectly paced journey of the heart. Destination: the bravery to reveal his most authentic self to the people he loves."  

Leslie Connor

"This is a moving story about friendship, family and the courage it takes to stand up to one’s peers, a story that drew me right in and kept me absorbed until the last page. An ode to the strength of silence, as well as the power of words."

Padma Venkatraman

"A brilliant, bold, and beautiful book. Lindsey Stoddard tackles tough, thorny topics with nuance and grace, never once compromising readability or relatability. She is the real deal."

author-illustrator Jarrett Lerner

"This genuinely thoughtful and ultimately joyful gem about friendship and the many ways that a voice has power is an absolute treasure. I was rooting for Gabe from the moment I met him and was captivated as he navigated his way through the small moments that have big meaning in middle school life, surprising himself along the way. The Real Deal is laced with humor, and brimming with an abundance of heart — vibrant, charming, and absolutely real."  

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

This exploration of courage has a good strong heart-beat: both in terms of compassion and suspense.

Newbery award winning author Laura Amy Schlitz

Stoddard’s characters are fully formed in her latest book, and the themes of family and equality run throughout. Bea is a spitfire of a main character up against an antagonist that readers can cheer against.

Booklist

2022-08-17
Some friendships are easy, and some are more complex.

Sixth graders Gabe and Oliver have been best friends since pre-K, when sporty Oliver inspired bookish Gabe to try the teeter-totter—and encouraged him to keep trying it until he got the hang of things. This became the basis of their philosophy of complementary friendship. It’s a solid relationship but one that Gabe sometimes worries about as their interests diverge. However, they’re still a natural choice to work together when their teacher gives the class a storytelling assignment that can take any format they wish. The duo embarks on creating a comic that chronicles the adventures of Gabiver, a fictional detective and crime fighter inspired by Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man who is a composite of the two boys. Their assignment—and their friendship—is changed with the addition of new student Reuben, a boy who doesn’t talk, and seventh grader Rae, a girl who refuses to atone to a teacher for voicing her opinion and must spend time with the younger class until she crafts an apology. The story does a lot of things well, including its subtle examination of masculinity and friendship, although it suffers slightly under some far-fetched plot points, excessively tidy resolutions, and easy summations of trauma. Readers looking for a breezy read will most likely be pleased, but those hoping to sink their teeth into something meatier may find it too saccharine. All main characters read White.

Sweet but superficial. (Fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews