Optimists Die FirstAward-winning author Susin Nielsen has written a laugh-out-loud and heartrending novel for fans of Robyn Schneider’s Extraordinary Means and Cammie McGovern’s Say What You Will. Beware: Life ahead. Sixteen-year-old Petula de Wilde is anything but wild. A former crafting fiend with a happy life, Petula shut herself off from the world after a family tragedy. She sees danger in all the ordinary things, like crossing the street, a bug bite, or a germy handshake. She knows: life is out to get you. The worst part of her week is her comically lame mandatory art therapy class with a small group of fellow misfits. Then a new boy, Jacob, appears at school and in her therapy group. He seems so normal and confident, though he has a prosthetic arm; and soon he teams up with Petula on a hilarious project, gradually inspiring her to let go of some of her fears. But as the two grow closer, a hidden truth behind why he’s in the group threatens to derail them, unless Petula takes a huge risk. . . Praise: Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year “Nielsen writes with sensitivity, empathy, and humor.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred “Nielsen excels at depicting troubled, clever teenagers in familiar environments.” —School Library Journal, Starred “[An] empathic and deeply moving story, balanced by sharply funny narration and dialogue.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred “A poignant exploration into the nuances of healing.” —Quill and Quire, Starred |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Alonzo Anne of Green asked Betty bionic Blue’s Clues breath can’t cat videos Cohen couldn’t crafting Dad’s Debbie Downer Doc Martens door Esterhasz everything eyes face Facebook favorite feel felt Ferdinand garbage gave Girl Formerly Known Gord grabbed Green Gables hadn’t hair hand hard Harriet the Spy he’d head heard I’ve Ivan Ivan’s Jacob knew Koula laugh live looked Maxine died Maxine’s Miranda Mom’s Moominmamma movie never night nodded Okay parents Petula Pippi Pippi Longstocking pulled Rachel scrapbook she’d shook smiled sock sorry stared started stood stopped Stuart Little sure Susan Juby T-shirt talk tell there’s thing thought told took tried trying turned Vancouver voice walked wasn’t watched Watley We’re week What’s wore Wuthering Heights YART Yeah you’re YouTube