Faking Normal

(Paperback)

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Description

An edgy, realistic debut novel praised by the New York Times bestselling author of Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys, as a beautiful reminder that amid our broken pieces we can truly find ourselves.

Alexi Littrell hasnt told anyone what happened to her over the summer by her backyard pool. Instead, she hides in her closet, counts the slats in the air vent, and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside doesand deal with the trauma.

When Bodee Lennoxthe Kool-Aid Kidmoves in with the Littrells after a family tragedy, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in this quiet, awkward boy who has secrets of his own. As their friendship grows, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her summon the courage to find her voice and speak up about the rape that has changed the course of her life.

Reviews

"A beautiful reminder that amidst our broken pieces we can truly find ourselves." -- Ruta Sepetys, New York Times Bestselling Author of Between Shades of Gray "Somewhere between Sarah Dessen and Laurie Halse Anderson lies Stevens's rich debut about two adolescents grappling with extraordinary trauma...the mood is intense and the story moves briskly, complete with an ending so surprising that some readers may flip back to the beginning to start fresh." -- Publishers Weekly "Reminiscent of Melinda in Speak, Alexi tries to find her voice. A story that resonates." -- Kirkus "Debut novelist Stevens has written a powerful and fast-paced first-person story of a young woman who finds an inner strength she never knew she possessed." -- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Author Bio

Courtney C. Stevens grew up in Kentucky and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She is an adjunct professor and a former youth minister. Her other skills include playing hide-and-seek, climbing trees, and being an Olympic torch bearer. She is also the author of Faking Normal, which Kirkus Reviews called "a story that resonates" and Publishers Weekly called a "rich debut," as well as the e-novella The Blue-Haired Boy.