Wilder

by Andrew Simonet

Overview

In Wilder, Andrew Simonet takes us on a roller coaster ride of juvenile delinquents following the events of Meili and Jason's turbulent and unconventional meeting and relationship.

I met Melissa in the rubber room, a.k.a. in-school suspension. And that’s not her real name.
She had secrets, I had enemies.
“People are either useful or dangerous,” she said. “One or the other.”
“Which one am I?” I said.
“You’re both.”
Meili was right. (That’s her real name.)
You can solve a lot of problems if you don’t mind getting hurt.

Jason Wilder is in permanent in-school suspension for fighting. Meili Wen gets there by breaking a girl’s finger. Jason and Meili don’t just connect; they collide. Two people who would never cross paths—outsiders from radically different backgrounds—they form an exhiliarating, unpredictable bond. When circumstances push, they push back. There’s no plan. And there’s no stopping.

"I am so crap. How can you stand being with me? Don’t answer that or I will crash this thing with both of us on it, swear to god, are you ready?”
Yes. No. Didn’t matter.
I reached both arms around Meili’s waist as we zoomed down the hill.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780374309282
Publisher:	Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date:	11/13/2018
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Andrew Simonet is a choreographer and debut YA writer in Philadelphia. He co-directed Headlong Dance Theater for twenty years and founded Artists U, an incubator for helping artists make sustainable lives. He lives in West Philly with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two sons, Jesse Tiger and Nico Wolf. Wilder is his debut novel.
Andrew Simonet is a choreographer and writer in Philadelphia. His first novel, Wilder, published in 2018. He co-directed Headlong Dance Theater for twenty years and founded Artists U, an incubator for helping artists make sustainable lives. He lives in West Philadelphia with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two sons, Jesse Tiger and Nico Wolf.

Editorial Reviews

11/26/2018
In this dark romance set in the rural American community of Unionville, high school senior Jason Wilder recounts his version of what happened with a brash student from Hong Kong at his school. Jason first meets Meili Wen (known to others as Melissa) in the “Rubber Room,” an old science lab where in-school suspension is held. He’s being punished for starting a fire; she’s there for breaking a girl’s finger. Despite or perhaps because of Meili’s sharp tongue and unexpected requests for favors, Jason finds himself attracted to her and soon learns that they have more in common than being reputed juvenile delinquents. Both have family secrets that could prove disastrous if uncovered by the wrong people. Following his heart rather than common sense, Jason is determined to protect Meili, even if it means putting himself in danger, and when he takes risks he’d normally avoid, he pays a high price. Instead of delivering a clear-cut moral and tidy resolution, debut author Simonet leaves readers to decide whether Jason’s actions are justified and whether he is a criminal, a hero, or a victim. Ages 12–up. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

"Written with sparkling humor and cleverness, this book grabs the reader and does not let go, even after it ends. This emotionally charged title is a must-purchase." —VOYA, starred review

"Simonet's plotting is superb, and he sharply writes two unique characters, whose sparring will be as exciting to readers as it is to Jason and Meili. A fresh story, boldly told." —Booklist, starred review

"Simonet holds his cards very close to the vest throughout the narrative, creating Jason as a credible and sympathetic victim of some pretty rough circumstances as well as a righteous defender of endangered women. [A] suspenseful read a psychologically haunting finish." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Instead of delivering a clear-cut moral and tidy resolution, debut author Simonet leaves readers to decide whether Jason’s actions are justified and whether he is a criminal, a hero, or a victim." —Publishers Weekly

"A page-turning, mind-twisting adventure that illuminates the complexity of male violence— Jason’s story gripped me by the lapels and refused to let me look away." —Dashka Slater, award-winning author of The 57 Bus

“Wilder is unique, innovative, edgy. A powerful mixture of funny and serious that will jolt you into a deeper understanding of the relentless longing for love that we carry within us.” —Francisco Stork, award-winning author of Marcelo in the Real World

From the Publisher

2018-09-02

Jason Wilder can't help but be intrigued when he is joined one day in in-school suspension by the mysterious and charismatic new girl, Melissa Young. But that's not her real name.

With her Chinese features, British accent, and edgy attitude, Meili Wen (Melissa's actual name) is a sore thumb at Unionville High. Jason (assumed to be as white as everyone else in town), suspended and on probation for starting a fire, has hit rock bottom: His alcoholic mom has moved to Florida, he's living alone, he probably won't graduate in June, and he's being bullied by a bunch of boys from school. Hanging out with Meili becomes his only escape. After a run-in with the police, Meili goes into hiding—at Jason's house—and her past begins to be revealed. Little by little, it becomes clear that no one's story is truly reliable. What begins as a psychological thriller takes a turn into star-crossed romance and then descends into a portrait of mental illness. The psychological drama comes to a not-quite-satisfying close with some lingering questions, but sadly, it may be the repeated images of graphic violence that will leave the greatest impression on readers after the book is closed.

Equal parts thriller, mystery, romance, and problem novel, Wilder grabs the reader from the start but ultimately fails to create a meaningfully cohesive story. (Fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews