Nina Soni, Master of the Garden
by Kashmira Sheth
illustrated by Jenn Kocsmiersky

Everyone’s favorite Indian-American middle grade series star Nina Soni returns in the newest laugh-out-loud addition to the award-winning, relatable Nina Soni series! Nina’s done science experiments and school projects, and she’s come up with elaborate plans (that don’t always work out), and now she’s back to become a master of the garden!

It’s Take Your Child to Work Day, and Nina, Kavita, and Jay are all going to work with Mom, a landscape architect, to learn how to start a garden. At first, everything goes according to plan, but soon enough, unwelcome bugs, slugs, and rabbits and some screechy singing ukulele-playing from her little sister quickly derail Nina’s plans to grow enough tasty veggies to start her own vegetable-selling business. Through trial and error—and a few mosquito bites—Nina, Kavita, and Jay learn how to care for their gardens and, of course, make some delicious meals with what they’ve grown to share with friends and family.

Just in time for Earth Day reading and planning spring gardens, this third installment in the Nina Soni series is sure to be a fan favorite with STEAM enthusiasts and young bookworms looking to test out their green thumbs. From Own Voices author Kashmira Sheth, Nina Soni, Master of the Garden will make the perfect addition to diverse book collections.

Get to know Kashmira Sheth and her inspiration for Nina Soni, Former Best Friend—the first title in the series—with our author Q&A, and use this discussion guide to answer fun questions about food, family, and the power of friendship.

Not only do our YA book picks feature some great love stories, but the stars of these romances—an independent young girl with Down syndrome, a plus-size teen who’s just entered a beauty pageant, and a teenage math whiz of Sri Lankan descent—are protagonists you’re guaranteed to fall in love with. Explore new perspectives with these diverse YA romances.

Rosie Loves Jack
by Mel Darbon

“The plot is so engrossing that the book is almost impossible to put down. Yes, Rosie loves Jack, and readers are going to love Rosie.” —Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

Sixteen-year old Rosie will do anything to find the boy who makes the sun shine in her head. Even defy her parents’ orders and run away from home. Even struggle across London and travel to Brighton on her own, though the trains are cancelled and the snow is falling. Even though people might think a girl like Rosie, who has Down syndrome, could never survive on her own.

Debut author Mel Darbon introduces a strong and determined protagonist who’s fighting for little freedoms, tolerance, and love, giving readers an underrepresented but much-needed point of view with a voice-driven, heartfelt story of finding your place an often big and intimidating world.

Author Q&A and discussion guide available.

What I Like About Me
by Jenna Guillaume

“This is the book I would hand to teen me.” —Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

The last thing sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin thought she’d be doing over vacation is entering a beauty pageant. Not when she’s spent most of her life hiding her body from everyone. Not when her Dad is AWOL and her gorgeous older sister has returned to rock Maisie’s already shaky confidence. And especially not when her best friend starts flirting with the boy she’s always loved. But Maisie’s got something to prove.

Jenna Guillame’s American debut features a plus-size protagonist with a compelling, funny, and authentic narrative voice. This relatable and charming novel about friendship, confidence, and self-love will draw readers in as Maisie’s realistic emotional journey unveils the importance of embracing one’s body and celebrating one’s self. Coming in paperback April 1st!

Author Q&A and discussion guide available.

The Secret Science of Magic
by Melissa Keil

“Neuroatypical characters, nerdiness, social anxiety, intelligence, and magic make this book stand out among other contemporary romances.” ―School Library Journal

Meet Sophia: former child prodigy and 17-year-old math mastermind who really doesn’t have the patience for games right now. And she especially doesn’t have the patience to figure out why all these mysterious playing cards keep turning up inside her textbooks.

Meet Joshua: highly intelligent and cheerfully unambitious amateur magician who’s admired Sophia for as long as he can remember. He thinks the time is perfect to tell Sophia how he feels, but he doesn’t know how wrong he is.

From award-winning author Melissa Keil comes this heartwarming tale of unconventional romance, perfect timing, and finding your own magic, featuring a relatable protagonist and diverse cast of characters.

Author Q&A available.

Q: Rosie Loves Jack is your debut novel. How did you settle on writing for young adults after working in theater and as a teacher?

A: For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a writer. I read constantly as a child and I loved that writers could take me to other worlds and experience different people’s lives. I wanted to be able to do this myself. Of course, life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to, and it took me some time and a stern word from my children until I finally put pen to paper. It felt like I had come home, and everything I had learned working in the theater, where stories are brought to life, and working with inspirational young people was invaluable for my writing and hopefully made it much richer.

The reason I settled on writing for a teenage audience was because I’ve always loved that age group. At this age you are finding out about the world and your place in it and who you want to be as an adult, which is exciting and motivating. Teenagers are free from the lethargy that creeps into our lives as we get older—they keep us on our toes! It seemed natural for me to begin my writing career with them.

Q: Is Rosie Tremayne based on a real person or real experiences?

A: Rosie is based on a real person, although she is also my invention and an amalgamation of different teenagers who I know.

I was lucky to work with a group of very compelling young people a few years back, who all had Down syndrome. One of them, a girl called Rosie, was feisty, funny, and fiercely independent. I always wanted to write her story and share the voice that she so wanted to be heard. In my MA course in Creative Writing, she popped back into my head for a character workshop we had to do. She wouldn’t let me go after that and I knew it was time to introduce her to the world. Her voice guided me through the story.

Some of Rosie’s experiences are based on real ones that I was told about by friends or the young people I worked with, and some are based on my brother’s experiences as a person with a developmental disability. For example, there is a scene where Rosie and her boyfriend Jack are in town getting something to eat from McDonald’s®. While they are there a group of children mimic how they speak and throw food at them. Sadly, this is a true story.

Q: How did your experiences growing up with a brother with Autism influence Rosie Loves Jack?

A: Growing up with my brother had a huge influence on my writing. As a child there was no indication that anything was wrong with him, which caused confusion when he had his meltdowns. One day, when I was nine years old and my brother was five, we were out shopping in town when he had a major tantrum, shouting, kicking, and screaming. Several people came up to us, not to offer help, but to berate my mother, telling her that she was a disgrace, that my brother’s behavior was disgusting, and that he ought to be put away.

I couldn’t understand why some people were so judgmental. I wanted to tell them to “put on my brother’s shoes” for a moment and try to comprehend what it was like to be him, locked in a world that made no sense to him, where even in his sleep he’s tortured by his dreams and is unable to let us know when he’s in pain. I wanted to use these experiences in my book Rosie Loves Jack to highlight what it is like to have to deal with injustices such as these, sometimes on a daily basis.

But I also knew that I wanted to write my book so people could see that life with a developmental disability is definitely not unworthy; we need to look beyond disability to ability. My brother’s life has fueled my desire to help dispel any myths about disability because I want to make it clear that when you have a brother like mine, the positives far outstrip the negatives. My brother has taught me compassion, kindness, patience, and the ability to empathize. My character Rosie became my agent to demonstrate this, through her journey to find her boyfriend and her autonomy.

Q: Why did you choose to have a main character with Down syndrome instead of a different developmental disability?

A: This is something I am asked a lot and it isn’t surprising considering I have a brother who is profoundly autistic. I wasn’t ready to put my brother in a book just yet. I felt a huge responsibility to honor him and his life but knew that with his very limited language it would be difficult to navigate this as an inexperienced writer. I was nervous I wouldn’t get it right and that I would feel I had let him down. Working with young teenagers with Down syndrome made me realize how much of an inspiration they are. I got to know them as individuals and work with them in college and on their work placements. I became close to them all and realized that one girl in particular, who became my character Rosie, would be an incredible ambassador for demonstrating what we both wanted to say, that just because someone has difficulty communicating doesn’t mean they have nothing to say.

Q: Tell us about your approach to writing about a character with Down syndrome. How would the story differ if Rosie didn’t have Down syndrome?

A: I thought very hard before deciding I would write a book featuring a character with Down syndrome. It is a difficult area to cover unless you know what you are talking about; even though you can research any topic in great depth, it’s never the same as if you truly understand or experience something for yourself. It is an especially sensitive area, so a lot of writers might hesitate to embark on a story with a character such as Rosie, for fear of getting it wrong and misrepresenting them. There were challenges that presented themselves, so I had to ensure that I was respectful and considerate before I even began writing. And despite having a lot of experience with people with Down syndrome, I still did thorough research.

I realized I wanted to write a love story that demonstrated how my character Rosie is a teenage girl first, and not just a person defined by her Down syndrome. I wanted Rosie to help the reader understand that human emotions don’t discriminate between those who are able and those who are disabled. Rosie is an individual who shares the same universal desires to love, and to be loved and accepted without limitations. It is the universality of these desires that connects Rosie to her reader.

It became evident that I had to make sure my character was simply part of the landscape and focus on Rosie’s ability and not disability. I had to make her a fully rounded individual and not just a channel to display her disability. As an author I needed to bear in mind that it is not the child with a learning disability who prevents themselves being fully included in society, it is the barriers in society that do that.

Rosie is a typical teenager consumed by her love for Jack and she has the same hopes and aspirations as anyone else. Rosie doesn’t see her Down syndrome as a shortcoming and wants to be treated equally. I avoided stereotyping Rosie by dismissing her Down syndrome as my starting point, which then meant I avoided any obstructions.

I was confident I could portray a realistic picture of Down syndrome, as I’ve personally known people with this condition for many years and learned that there are varying levels of capabilities. Basically, I treated Rose like a normal teenager, then considered the common characteristics of a person with her condition. It soon became apparent that your average sixteen-year-old might be more streetwise and confident alone in London, but might also be just as vulnerable and gullible; Rosie, because of her innocence and trust, is much like a typical teenager because they think they know it all and think they are therefore infallible.

Ultimately, I think that the differences for my story, if Rosie didn’t have Down syndrome, are not as big as it might at first seem. She is above all else a teenager, and many of the young people I have spoken to in schools have said, “Rosie is just like me,” which is what I wanted. A neurotypical teenager might be more worldly wise, they might not take everything so literally, and their speech patterns might be a bit more sophisticated, but not necessarily as poetic. They might be more self-aware and probably more self-obsessed, because that’s how the media programs them to be, but it certainly doesn’t stop them from being just as kind and sensitive as Rosie.

Q: Why did you choose to write this book with first person narration? What are some of the challenges of writing from this perspective?

A: I wrote Rosie Loves Jack with first person narration because I really wanted my reader to see the world through the eyes of someone with Down syndrome. We hear all the time that children need to see the world they live in reflected in the books they read and yet books are still often exclusive in some ways. It isn’t just important for those children who are disabled to see themselves as the protagonist, the hero, but for all children to see every type of representation. My aim in having a character such as Rosie was to enable young people to put on someone else’s shoes and truly understand what life is like for that other person. From that comes empathy, understanding, acceptance, and the realization that we all have value and deserve to be heard.

Using first person narration presented specific challenges. I had to consider the view of the world from someone with Down syndrome. Many people with Down syndrome have incredible empathy and are very in-tune with the feelings and the needs of others—something I witnessed when I worked at Henley College and through knowing a friend’s daughter who has Down syndrome. Alongside this comes a very innocent view of the world that is lived in the moment. I had to be constantly aware of this, yet at the same time show how easily it is possible for any young person to be fooled into believing that a person is good and trying to help them, when in fact they are being conned, or even, as in Rosie’s case, being lured into a very frightening situation. I had to be aware of this balance between Rosie’s worldview and a more streetwise teenager who would probably navigate getting lost in London more easily, but in their own way wouldn’t cope any better than Rosie did in the grooming house.

Q: How did you pick Jack as Rosie’s boyfriend?

A: I wanted someone like my brother, who looks neurotypical and yet has a developmental disability, to highlight the difficulties of a hidden disability. He was an invention in my head but his character and looks are loosely based on people I know. All my characters become real people to me, and I believe they actually exist in the world! I know them inside out, right from birth, even my minor characters. The events in people’s lives are what make and shape them, so to me it is all important to do this—then they come alive.

Q: How did you decide to depict Rosie’s speech patterns and Jack’s spelling? Why did you choose to differentiate between Rosie’s narration and the occasionally jumbled way she speaks to others out loud?

A: Rosie’s voice and language were central to my novel. I needed to convey the essence of the way she spoke, without making it hard to read. Many people with Down syndrome have anatomical differences in the mouth and throat region that affect feeding, swallowing, and oral motor skills. They can also often have poor muscle tone in the mouth area, so speech and language difficulties range from mild to severe, depending on the person. Sometimes I ran Rosie’s words together to indicate this, and to also show how Rosie’s thoughts could tumble over each other when she was anxious, stressed, or simply over-excited. I also had to show her personal outlook: an “orange-segment moon” or hair like “fuzzy, blond ropes,” for example.

It was important to me that I establish the lyrical voice inside Rosie’s head. Rosie might not be able to articulate everything she wants to, but this does not mean that she cannot do that internally. My thoughts on this came from living with my brother, whose language skills are that of a three-year-old, and yet he is capable of very complex statements. At nighttime when he is asleep, he shouts out constantly and it was while lying in bed listening to this that I realized how much more coherent he could be in his sleep, and it set me thinking, “How do we know what anyone with a cognitive impairment might actually be capable of expressing inside their minds?” It was an important lesson to learn. Rosie’s lyrical voice in her head came out of this and I was delighted that my sensitivity reader, someone with Down syndrome who was hired to read and assess my manuscript, felt that I had gotten Rosie’s voice exactly right and that at times she felt that Rosie was herself, in the way she spoke and how she saw things.

For Jack’s spelling I decided to make his level of ability at the stage where a child is learning to read and write using phonetics. He didn’t need sophisticated language, as with a child’s view of the world, it is simple but often beautiful. Jack is able to express himself more easily through his artwork—his pictures paint what is going on inside his head. Like Rosie, you have the balance of some words simply put or expressed juxtaposed with a much more complex way of thinking.

Q: Where did the idea of Jack writing postcards to Rosie come from?

A: It was an idea that came to me when I was deciding how Jack would be able to communicate with Rosie having smashed his phone. Jack is much better at expressing himself through his artwork, so postcards were an ideal way for him to do this, as well as write some short sentences. Also, Jack knows that Rosie can read but at times finds it difficult, so it was his way of helping her understand what he was saying. I wanted it to demonstrate his love and care for her.

Q: What is the significance of the little blue butterfly that visits Rosie and Jack?

A: The little blue butterfly is Rosie and Jack’s good luck charm—their special butterfly that watches over them. There is a scene in the book where Rosie remembers when she and Jack go to Chester Zoo and a tiny blue butterfly lands on her hand and then on Jack. They decide it’s significant for them and it must be good luck. After the visit, Jack gets his mother, who makes jewelry, to design a tiny, blue enamel butterfly brooch for Rosie, to watch over her always, which is why the butterfly helps keep her pushing on to find Jack. It is a symbol of their love for and devotion to each other.

Q: Rosie is treated very differently throughout the story by the variety of people she encounters. Did these interactions come from personal experience?

A: Yes, the majority of these interactions came from personal experience throughout my childhood, both good and bad. Times have changed and people’s attitudes and the understanding of someone with a developmental disability have changed too. People with Down syndrome, for example, are much more present in society, in schools, and in the media than they once were, so the fear and stigmas of the past are slowly being eroded. But we do still have quite a way to go. A couple of summers ago my parents decided to pop out in the car with my brother, only to find that there was a neighborhood street party going on further down from them. They were the only people who hadn’t been invited—because of my brother. My parents were devastated, and my brother would have loved, if not actively joined in, just sitting watching everyone and enjoying the atmosphere. I was heartbroken for them and it demonstrated that people still make unfair choices and judgements for people like my brother. And I knew it was important to show situations like this in my story.

Q: You cover very serious topic like sex exploitation and homelessness. Why did you choose to make these part of Rosie’s story? And why are these topics important to include for a young adult audience?

A: Rosie is part of our real world where these issues are there for us to see. I felt that any young person out in London by themselves and unsure of where to go is vulnerable, not just someone with Down syndrome, for example—though Rosie has an innocence and naivety that a lot of sixteen-year-olds might not have. But at sixteen you think you know it all, which can make you as vulnerable as someone who is as naïve as Rosie. It seemed a probable progression in the story that this could happen to my character and I felt I could use it to highlight these issues—because there will always be predators and although most of the time it won’t end like Rosie’s journey did, it can and does happen.

Sexual exploitation often hasn’t been thought of in the context of applying to a young person with a disability, until it was at the forefront of the news in the British media. People listened with horror to these terrible stories of abuse, but after the initial period of shock, the story faded away, kept within the parameters of the television and got left for others to sort out on their own, as it was too awful to even think about.

My daughter works with young girls who have been groomed. I was shocked to discover that the larger percentage of these girls had a developmental disability. As an author I can allow my reader to explore difficult topics like this in the safety of a book, in a setting where the reader can ask questions or teachers can use it to open a discussion which sheds light on the situation. I hope that young people will find this valuable.

Sexual activity for people with a developmental disability is something that’s rarely ever discussed in a good, healthy, loving context either, as it’s sometimes seen as a taboo subject. If characters like Rosie were represented in more books and films, on television, and in advertising, then they would be seen as the human beings they are with the same emotions and desires, but also suffering the same terrible abuses. If people with developmental disabilities were more visible there would be more open discussions.

I was very conscious of the risk of raising too many issues and thus failing to do justice to any one of those issues, but I was also aware that Rosie is part of a world where these concerns are there for us to see, be it eating disorders, homelessness, sexual exploitation, or addiction, to name a few. And Rosie’s journey is a reflection of life. In Bath, where I live, the number of homeless young people is shocking. For Rosie to find a safe haven with a young homeless person seemed logical after she had been dumped by the river in London—and a very likely scenario. There is an unwritten rule amongst the homeless community to look out for each other. My inclusion of Tom, the homeless boy, wasn’t a device to raise this topic, he just happens to be there at the right time and right place, but, as a writer, there is nothing wrong in sowing small seeds of awareness on such matters, which could stimulate a dialogue that is productive. Through that knowledge come understanding and compassion.

Q: Which part of Rosie’s story is your favorite? Was there a scene we didn’t get to read that you wish made it into the final version of the book?

A: One of my favorite scenes is when Rosie is on the underground heading to Victoria and she stops to listen to a busker, who she asks to sing her special song. It’s a moment where Rosie disappears into her own head as she listens, and it is a very lyrical passage. For me it was a perfect moment when we understand the way Rosie thinks and feels in comparison to the Rosie we witness in the outside world and all that she has to deal with. It was also an important scene for me because Rosie dances with a lady who it turns out has a baby with Down syndrome. This lady has assumed that Rosie needs help navigating her journey, but she is moved to tears when she understands that her assumptions are wrong, and it changes the way she sees everything herself.

Actually, no, there wasn’t a scene I wish had been included, though I would have liked to have made the scenes longer in the grooming house, so that I could develop the relationship between Lisette, the teenager who is responsible for Rosie in the house. I had to hold back on that though, as it would have interrupted the pace too much and halted the momentum.

Q: Why did you choose to end the story with Rosie still in the hospital?

A: I chose to end the story at the hospital because it left the reader wondering what happens next. In many ways the loose ends are tied up because Rosie and Jack have been given the chance to be together again and, very importantly, Rosie has found her autonomy. I have left it open as to what happens next, so that the reader can decide. Perhaps we need Jack’s side of the story first before we journey further with Rosie and Jack.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from Rosie Loves Jack?

A: That they’ve read a great love story that entertains them, and they can relate to. I hope they take away a book with a character that stays with them and might raise healthy discussion on some of the issues presented in it. Perhaps they may look at the world through different eyes and understand more than anything that just because someone has difficulty communicating doesn’t mean they have nothing to say, and by putting on someone else’s shoes they take a step towards empathy and understanding.

Rosie Loves Jack
by Mel Darbon

“They can’t send you away. What will we do? We need us. I stop your angry, Jack. And you make me strong. You make me Rosie.”

Rosie loves Jack. Jack loves Rosie. So when they’re separated, Rosie will do absolutely anything to find him. Even defy her parents’ orders and run away from home. Even struggle across London and travel to Brighton on her own, though the trains are cancelled and the snow is falling. Even though people might think a girl like Rosie, who has Down syndrome, could never survive on her own.

This March, get ready to fall in love with sixteen-year-old Rosie, a strong and determined protagonist who won’t let anything stand in the way of finding her Jack. It doesn’t matter that she doesn’t have the support of her parents or that many people can’t believe someone like Rosie would be traveling through London by herself. Rosie loves Jack, and she’ll do anything to be reunited with the boy who makes the sun shine in her head.

Debut author Mel Darbon delivers a stunning, beautifully insightful YA novel that features an underrepresented but much-needed point of view in a voice-driven, heartfelt story of fighting for little freedoms, tolerance, and love.

Dive deeper into Rosie’s inspiring story with this discussion guide, and get to know debut author Mel Darbon in this Q&A.

“The plot is so engrossing that the book is almost impossible to put down. Yes, Rosie loves Jack, and readers are going to love Rosie.” —Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

“An enthralling story of resolve and grit… a moving and uplifting novel.” –The Guardian

Find Rosie Loves Jack this March at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble, and be sure to check out the rest of our brand-new picture books and middle grade and YA titles coming to Peachtree this season!

Charlie Bumpers vs. the Teacher of the Year
by Bill Harley
illustrated by Adam Gustavson

Shortly before school starts, Charlie Bumpers learns that he will be in Mrs. Burke’s class. It doesn’t matter that she’s been named Teacher of the Year. He’s still afraid of her. Last year when he was horsing around in the hall, he accidentally hit her in the head with his sneaker (don’t ask). The exasperated teacher declared that if anything like that ever happened again, Charlie would be banned from recess forever. How will he survive a year under a teacher who is just waiting for him to make another stupid mistake? This fun series for young readers from Grammy Award-winning author Bill Harley uses humor to illuminate important values such as learning to live together as a family and making the best of a bad situation.

For more on this series, visit the Charlie Bumpers series page:

Nina Soni, Former Best Friend
by Kashmira Sheth
illustrated by Jenn Kocsmiersky

Nina tried as hard as she could, but still somehow she forgot about her school project. Fortunately, a class lesson about Alexander Fleming suggests how she might make a great discovery—and thus a great project! But with little sister Kavita’s birthday party right around the corner, and her longtime friendship with Jay on the rocks, Nina has a lot to keep track of. Readers are sure to relate to author Kashmira Sheth’s endearing Nina Soni and her slightly scatter-brained efforts to manage her life with lists, definitions, and real-life math problems.

Check out the rest of the Nina Soni series here:

Pretty Funny for a Girl
by Rebecca Elliott

Haylah Swinton is an ace best friend, a loving daughter, and an incredibly patient sister to a four-year-old nutcase of a brother. Best of all, she’s set on being a stand-up comedian star. But when impossibly cool and thirstalicious Leo reveals he’s also into comedy and asks Haylah to ghostwrite his sets, will Haylah find the confidence to step into the spotlight and strut like the boss she really is? Rebecca Elliott’s hilarious and authentic journey of family, friends, and fierce mistakes is sure to capture readers’ hearts as her plus-sized, teenage heroine navigates learning to love the body she’s in.

Sing Like No One’s Listening
by Vanessa Jones

Nettie Delaney has just been accepted into a prestigious performing arts school—the very same school her superstar mother attended. But Nettie hasn’t been able to sing a single note since her mother died, and if she’s going to survive a demanding first year and keep her place at Duke’s, she’ll have to work through her grief and deliver a showstopper or face expulsion. Can Nettie summon the courage to find her voice? Or will the pressure and anxiety of performing come crashing down? Vanessa Jones’s well-crafted journey of grief and healing is sure to be a pure joy for any musical theater aficionado.

Foolish Hearts
by Emma Mills

Macmillan Publishers
When Claudia accidentally witnesses the breakup of Paige and Iris, the schools it-couple, Claudia becomes a target for Iris’ revenge. Iris is already known for her icy personality, and getting on her bad side is the last thing Claudia wants. So when the two find themselves forced to pair up for their class production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Claudia knows she’s in for a wild ride of a senior year. Featuring a realistic world of new friendships, tense feuds, and tentative romance, all while dealing with the high-stakes world of the performing arts, Emma Mill’s Foolish Hearts is a must-read to follow up Nettie and Haylah’s stories of acceptance and self-confidence.

Noteworthy
by Riley Redgate

Abrams Books
Jordan Sun has just begun her junior year at the Kensington-Blaine Boarding School for the Performing Arts, and as an Alto 2, she’s already off to a rocky start. She may have earned her spot in a prestigious performing arts program, but her talents seem to always get passed over during the fall musical for a more stereotypical vocalist. But when Kensington’s elite, all-male a cappella group announces an opening, it turns out Jordan might be exactly what the Sharpshooters are looking for… With just the right amount of vocals to satisfy Sing Like No One’s Listening fans and enough comedy to have Pretty Funny for a Girl readers laughing out loud, Noteworthy is an ideal read for future performing artists.

On the Come Up
by Angie Thomas

HarperCollins Publishers
Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time, but her path to stardom is both in the shadow of her talented father and filled with more than her fair share of obstacles. When her first song goes viral—for all the wrong reasons—Bri finds herself labeled as a notorious and angry artist from a troubled background. This new persona may promise financial security for her struggling family, but are the consequences of her newly achieved fame really worth it? As both a heavy and joyous story of fighting for your dreams in an often-hostile world of performing in the public eye, On the Come Up proves a powerful companion to Sing Like No One’s Listening and Pretty Funny for a Girl.

Pretty Funny for a Girl
by Rebecca Elliott

Ready for your next binge-read? Pretty Funny for a Girl is a candid and laugh-out-loud journey of family, friends, and fierce mistakes you won’t be able to put down.

To Haylah Swinton, there’s no better feeling than getting a laugh. Delivering a perfect one-liner in class or even making her four-year-old nutcase of a brother giggle makes her “twinkle” inside. Everyone knows she’s pretty funny, but secretly, she dreams of being a stand-up comedian star.

She watches videos, listens to podcasts, and studies the pros—all she needs now is the courage to perform the material she’s stashed away in her notebook. So after Leo Jackson—intelligent, cool, good-looking (you get the point)—performs a stand-up routine in front of the school, she jumps at the chance to ghostwrite his sets.

But life’s not all fun and games, even if Haylah, aka “Pig,” has mastered the art of making light of every situation. Her mom’s dropped a bomb on their family in the form of a bearded boyfriend, her best friends accuse Leo of taking advantage of her comedic chops, and she has a habit of making her plus-size figure a punchline before she becomes the bullies’ punching bag. But as she gains confidence in her body and talents, she realizes her dreams are just too big to be hidden behind the scenes.

Author Rebecca Elliott delivers Haylah’s story with an authentic and hilarious voice in the rhythm of a true comedian. Witty, sarcastic Haylah will win readers’ hearts and laughs as she stands up (no pun intended) for herself and her goals, supported by a relatable cast of friends and family. With a unique perspective into the world of stand-up, Pretty Funny for a Girl is the perfect balance of poignancy and comedic gold, not to mention your new go-to read.

Peek behind the curtain in this excerpt of the first chapter!

Encore! It’s not over yet—check out our discussion guide and author Q&A for a deeper look into Haylah’s journey.

“A feel-good story featuring a narrator who’s likable and genuinely funny, even at her most self-deprecating. Dreams, being true to oneself, body-image issues, single parenting, family dynamics, self-confidence, and a realistic depiction of friendship make this a refreshing coming-of-age read full of optimism, dreams, and plenty of stereotype-smashing laughs. A natural pick for Dumplin’ (2015) fans.” —Booklist

“Sharp, funny… The working-class British milieu feels freshly wrought, and Elliott’s characters are well balanced… [Haylah’s] comedy routine, though at times self-deprecating, also flips some stereotypes.” —Publishers Weekly

“Elliott, who has previously published picture books and early readers, nails the voice and persona of a high school girl…. A good purchase for libraries that need coming-of-age books centering body-positivity.” —School Library Journal

Whether you’re a giggler or you enjoy a whole-body-shaking belly laugh, don’t miss Haylah’s big debut in Pretty Funny for a Girl this October at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble. And don’t forget to check out the rest of our brand-new Fall 2020 titles as well as our picture books and middle grade titles coming to Peachtree this season in paperback!

Sing Like No One’s Listening
by Vanessa Jones

Nettie Delaney faces her fair share of opposition in Sing Like No One’s Listening. From classic school mean girls to her own grandmother, it seems like Nettie can’t catch a break. And with her singing voice MIA, dealing with bullies should be the last thing on her mind. However, despite every setback, Nettie just might find a way to overcome everyone trying to hold her back from delivering the show-stopping performance she knows she’s capable of.

Bright Burning Stars
by A. K. Small

Workman Publishing
Marine Duval and Kate Sanders have trained since childhood at the Paris Opera Ballet School, but how far they would go for the ultimate prize: to be named the one girl who will join the Opera’s prestigious corps de ballet. Would they risk everything, even each other? An action-packed story about two best friends fighting for their dreams in a cutthroat performing arts setting that even Cecile Duke would be proud of, Bright Burning Stars makes a satisfying companion to Sing Like No One’s Listening.

Finding Audrey
by Sophie Kinsella

Penguin Random House
Audrey does her best to avoid other people, that is, until she meets Linus. Linus is the first person she can truly talk to, and soon the two develop feelings for each other. But how can the couple be together when Audrey hasn’t dealt with her past? And is she sure Linus will love her no matter what he learns about her? A moving mix of recovery from mental illness, the negative effects of bullying, and a beautiful romance, Finding Audrey will surely touch fans of Nettie’s emotional journey and swoon-worthy love story.

Full Disclosure
by Camryn Garrett

Penguin Random House
Simone Garcia-Hampton is new at school, but as the student director of Rent, she’s determined not to fade into the background. However, things get a little tricky when she starts to fall for Miles. Keeping the fact that she’s HIV-positive under-wraps isn’t too difficult at first, but when she and Miles start to get serious and she finds a note in her locker that could expose her situation, Simone realizes she might have to face her anonymous haters head-on. Perfect for performing artists and fans of romance, bullies on the page, and self-discovery, Full Disclosure makes a solid match for Sing Like No One’s Listening.

Holding Up the Universe
by Jennifer Niven

Penguin Random House
Everyone thinks Libby Strout is nothing more than “America’s Fattest Teen.” High school is supposed to be Libby’s fresh start, full of new friends and maybe even a first love. Everyone thinks they have Jack Masselin figured out, too, but he’s hiding a newly acquired secret that’s got him wanting to keep his distance from all his peers. Together, they just might discover what it’s like to be with someone who sees you for who you truly are. Holding Up the Universe is a touching love story with its own doses of grief and healing and dealing with the harsh realities of bullies and body-shaming.

Tiny Pretty Things
by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton

HarperCollins Publishers
Description

Gigi, Bette, and June are all top students at an exclusive Manhattan ballet school, but the desire to be on top could cost each girl her dancing career forever. With the pressures of perfection and controlling family members at every turn, these dancers will do whatever it takes to be the best—even if that means sacrificing each other for the spotlight. With a competitive performing arts setting to rival even Duke’s Academy of the Performing Arts and back-stabbing “friends” who would do anything for fame, Tiny Pretty Things is an ideal readalike for fans of Sing Like No One’s Listening.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
by Jenny Han

Simon & Schuster
Lara Jean Song keeps all her love letters in a hatbox—one letter for every boy she’s every loved. These letters are supposed to be private, but when her secret letters are mailed, Lara Jean’s love life is suddenly anything but imaginary. A jealous ex-girlfriend, manipulative and vindictive cyber bullies, and plenty of romance make To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before a lighthearted companion to the bullies on the pages of Sing Like No One’s Listening.

]]> https://peachtree-online.com/2020/09/sing-like-no-ones-listening-readalikes-facing-bullies-and-bullying-on-the-page/feed/ 1186 https://peachtree-online.com/2020/09/author-interview-vanessa-jones-on-sing-like-no-ones-listening/ https://peachtree-online.com/2020/09/author-interview-vanessa-jones-on-sing-like-no-ones-listening/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2020 16:00:02 +0000 https://peachtree-online.com/?p=33624 Nettie Delaney has just been accepted into a prestigious performing arts school—the very same school her superstar mother attended. With her mother’s shadow hanging over her, Nettie has her work cut out for her—and everyone is watching. To make matters worse, Nettie hasn’t been able to sing a single note since her mother died. Whenever she tries, she just clams up. But if Nettie’s going to survive a demanding first year and keep her place in a highly coveted program, she’ll have to work through her grief and deliver a showstopper or face expulsion.

All may not be lost, however, when Nettie stumbles upon a mysterious piano player in an empty studio after class. Masked behind a curtain, can Nettie summon the courage to find her voice? Or will the pressure and anxiety of performing come crashing down?

We asked Vanessa Jones about her inspiration and writing process for Sing Like No One’s Listening, a moving new story about grief, healing, and the performing arts.

Q: What first inspired you to write this story?

A: I went through a phase in my career as a performer where I suddenly developed stage fright. As soon as I had to sing, I’d start shaking, my heart would race, and my voice would seize up, which was unhelpful in auditions! When it started affecting my ability to get work, I got help, and luckily things improved hugely. Years later, I started thinking about the idea of what happens when “the fear” gets in the way, and I guess this was the inspiration for Sing Like No One’s Listening.

Q: What was your favorite part of this story to write? Did you ever find it difficult to write about such intense grief?

A: I’m not sure if this is the same thing, but I definitely found the scenes with Miss Duke the easiest to write. She was the first character I wrote, and she seemed so fully formed from the start that I almost felt like I knew her in real life. I lost a friend to cancer while I was writing the first draft, and it became more difficult to write about Nettie’s grief—I guess because to write with any authenticity I had to go there emotionally with her, and that was hard at that time.

Q: Are there any qualities in Nettie that you see in yourself?

A: Nettie is quite different from me as a person— certainly from how I was as a teenager—but I think her willingness to carry on when things get tough is something we share. I tend not to give up.

Q: When you first began your writing career, who was your “Cecile Duke” that helped you improve and encouraged you to stay persistent with your writing? What do you like most about Miss Duke and her relationship with Nettie?

A: I definitely had mentors as a writer, but I think they’d be horrified if I compared them to Miss Duke! As far as my career in college and West End theatre goes, I encountered many Miss Dukes along the way—equally as commanding, enigmatic, and terrifying.

Q: Which books have had the biggest influence on your writing?

A: That’s a difficult question! I try to read as much as I can—as many different genres and narrative styles as possible. I think reading lots is important if you want to improve as a writer. The last YA book I read was Meat Market, by Juno Dawson. I love the authenticity of her characters’ voices.

Q: What is your writing process like? Do you have a favorite writing spot?

A: Basically I sit down in the morning and, depending on what I’m writing, I don’t stop until I’ve hit the word count target I set or the scene I wanted to finish that day. Even if I’m not feeling it, if I sit there for long enough, the words usually come! I honestly think writing is ten percent ideas and ninety percent persistence. My favorite writing spot is on the little bench under a tree in my garden, but I’ll happily write anywhere—my brain is quite good at blocking out distractions, so it doesn’t matter what’s going on around me, I can usually get in the zone quite easily!

Q: What do you enjoy most about writing for young adults?

A: I work with young adults (I run a theatre school in the UK), so I spend a large part of my working week with teenagers, and we never stop laughing. I guess for me, writing YA is an extension of that. I remember so clearly how I felt at that age—how anything was possible. The new-found independence I had. The feeling that my life as an adult was about to start, and how exciting that was.

Q: If you had to add one more scene to this book, what would it be?

A: Oh, my goodness, so many scenes didn’t make it to the final cut! There were several scenes that I absolutely loved writing, but they didn’t further the plot enough, so they had to go. One was where Nettie went charity shop shopping (do you call it thrift store?) and found a dress that had once belonged to her mother, which I loved writing.

Q: If you had to pick one, would you choose singing or dancing?

A: I feel like that’s like asking me to choose between my children! I honestly couldn’t say… I guess dancing kind of hurts these days, so… actually, no. I’m not choosing.

Q: If you had to pick a song from a musical to describe this book perfectly, what would it be?

A: I’ve been thinking about this for way too long, and I still can’t find an answer. But if Sing Like No One’s Listening was ever made into a musical, I’d love Pasek and Paul to write it. Dream big, as they say.

Q: What do you think Nettie’s mom would tell her to help her through her struggles?

A: I think she would tell her to believe in herself, and in her friends.

Q: Nettie proves that even when you’re pursuing your dream, there will be moments that make you want to give up. Why do you think it’s important for your readers to understand that although things may get tough, you should never sacrifice something you’re passionate about?

A: It’s important to stay focused, of course, but I don’t think it’s a given that you should never sacrifice something you’re passionate about, for example if things get so tough that your mental health starts to suffer. Your own well-being should always be a priority. Having said that, I think learning to keep going in the face of failure is vital, especially when you’re just starting out. What seems like a setback could be the best thing that ever happened to you.

Q: What do you hope readers learn from Nettie’s story?

A: I hope readers take from it a sense that they can succeed, even when the odds are against them. I hope Nettie’s story inspires them to believe in themselves, whatever their goals.

Sing Like No One’s Listening
by Vanessa Jones

Nettie Delaney has just been accepted into a the prestigious Duke’s Academy for the Performing Arts—the very same school her superstar mother attended. But after a less-than-ideal audition and ironic rendition of “I’m Not Afraid of Anything,” Nettie has her work cut out for her to prove she deserves her place at Duke’s—and everyone is watching, especially the oh so intimidating Cecile Duke herself. To make matters worse, Nettie hasn’t been able to sing a single note since her mother died. Whenever she tries, she can’t seem to force a single note. But if Nettie’s going to survive a demanding first year and keep her place in a highly coveted program, she’ll have to work through her grief and deliver a show-stopping performing or face expulsion.

Things are starting to look up for Nettie, however, when one day she stumbles upon a mysterious piano player in an empty studio after class. Hidden safely behind a curtain, Nettie just might be able to summon the courage to find her voice. But will the pressure and anxiety of performing away from her mystery pianist come scare away her voice for good?

A moving story all about finding and claiming your voice and not throwing away your shot, Vanessa Jones’s well-crafted journey of grief and healing will pull readers along with its strong narrative voice and satisfying sense of mystery. Musical theater aficionados and fans of the performing arts are sure to enjoy this touching story of self-confidence.

Get a sneak peek into Nettie’s story with this excerpt. Check out these discussion questions after reading, and get to know author Vanessa Jones and her inspiration for this touching story in our author Q&A.

“Anglophiles, music and theater nerds, and those looking for some classic will-they-won’t-they romance will all find something to enjoy here. Jones writes her subject matter authentically, with obvious passion to balance the professional arts’ not-so-pretty struggles…. A touching portrait of healing after loss.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Jones’ novel has the expected Fame vibes that will delight any reader who loves stories of aspiring young stars learning their craft, but its exploration of Nettie’s complexities makes the story unique…. Jones offsets the narrative’s weightier moments with light and quirky ones, making it a fast read with staying power.” —Booklist

Sing Like No One’s Listening debuts September 1st at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble. And don’t forget to check out the rest of our brand-new Fall 2020 titles as well as our picture books and middle grade titles coming to Peachtree this season in paperback!