Those Pink Mountain Nights

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Description

In her remarkable second novel following her Governor Generals Award-winning debut, The Summer of Bitter and Sweet, Jen Ferguson writes about the hurt of a life stuck in past tense, the hum of connections that cannot be severed, and one week in a small, snowy town that changes everything.

Overachievement isnt a bad wordfor Berlin, its the goal. Shes securing excellent grades, planning her future, and working a part-time job at Pink Mountain Pizza, a legendary local business. Who says she needs a best friend by her side

Dropping out of high school wasnt smartbut it was necessary for Cameron. Since his cousin Kikis disappearance, its hard enough to find the funny side of life, especially when the whole town has forgotten Kiki. To them, shes just another missing Native girl.

People at school label Jessie a tease, a rich girland honestly, shes both. But Jessie knows she contains multitudes. Maybe her new job crafting pizzas will give her the high-energy outlet she desperately wants.

When the weekend at Pink Mountain Pizza takes several unexpected turns, all three teens will have to acknowledge the various ways theyve been hurtand how much they need each other to hold it all together.

Jen Ferguson burst onto the YA scene with her first novel, which was a William C. Morris Award Finalist and a Stonewall Award Honor Book, and this second novel fulfills her promise as one of the most thoughtful and exciting YA writers today.

Reviews

"Set in Alberta, this introspective, character-driven story examines heavy topics, including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, depression, and anti-Blackness, with sensitivity and compassion. This sophomore outing by Michif/Mtis and white author Ferguson features lyrical prose that softens the emotionally fraught narrative without sacrificing suspense, resulting in a mystery that subtly builds to a shocking reveal." Kirkus Reviews(starred review) Through a well-characterized ensemble cast, Ferguson, who is Michif/Mtisand white, addresses the myriad difficult topics facing her characters with sensitivity and care. Horn Book (starred review) "[The characters'] actions galvanize their town and expose the racist and toxic underbelly of the most influential people there. This story touches on many contemporary issues as part of their everyday lives and will have broad appeal. A first purchase." School Library Journal (starred review) "Via an intersectionally diverse cast, this character-driven story by Ferguson tackles macro-level issues such as anti-Blackness as well as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit Individuals alongside familiar teenage troubles surrounding friendship breakups." Publishers Weekly "Ferguson's stirring narrative from multiple points of view features a friendship breakup, a manifestation of depression as perfectionism, and racism in the 'corrupt colonial country of Canada.' Achingly stunning prose, 'absolute mischief,' and exhilarating kisses compel a fast read." Shelf Awareness (starred review)

Author Bio

Jen Ferguson is Michif/Metis and white, an activist, an intersectional feminist, an auntie, and an accomplice armed with a PhD in English and creative writing. Visit her online at jenfergusonwrites.com.