A Stonewall Book Award Winner!
A stunning novel on love, identity, loss, and redemption.
When Suzette comes home to Los Angeles from her boarding school in New England, she's isn't sure if she'll ever want to go back. L.A. is where her friends and family are (as well as her crush, Emil). And her stepbrother, Lionel, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, needs her emotional support.
But as she settles into her old life, Suzette finds herself falling for someone new... the same girl her brother is in love with. When Lionel's disorder spirals out of control, Suzette is forced to confront her past mistakes and find a way to help her brother before he hurts himself-or worse.
About the Author
Brandy Colbert was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, and has worked as an editor for several national magazines. She lives and writes in Los Angeles.
Industry Reviews
Kirkus Best Book of the YearBuzzfeed Best Book of the YearBustle.com Best Book of the YearVulture Best Book of the YearSeventeen Magazine Best Book of the Year
* "From the threads of love and romance, to redefining family life, readers of all walks of life will find an entry point to this title."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review
" Hand [Little & Lion] to readers who like thoughtful, edgy stories with no easy answers."--VOYA
"With compelling honesty, Colbert portrays Suzette's evolving understanding of her sexuality, Lionel's longing for self-sufficiency alongside the challenges of his mental illness, and the difficulty of shifting familial relationships."--Horn Book
"On the surface, this is a great book that beautifully navigates the elaborate landscapes of sexual orientation and mental health issues. But as I read on, I found myself deeply connected with Suzette, who is gorgeously depicted in all her complexities. This is a book and a protagonist I will long remember."--Bill Konigsberg, award-winning author of Openly Straight and Honestly Ben
* "A moving, diverse exploration of the challenges of growing up and the complicated nature of loyalty."--School Library Journal, starred review
"A moving and well-realized examination of secrecy, trust, and intimacy."--Publishers Weekly
* "Colbert sensitively confronts misconceptions about mental illness, bisexuality, and intersectional identity....A vibrantly depicted Los Angeles."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Praise for Little & Lion "Little and Lion is beautifully insightful, honest, and compassionate. Brandy's ability to find larger meaning in small moments is nothing short of dazzling."--National Book Award Finalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicola Yoon
* "This superbly written novel teems with meaningful depth, which is perfectly balanced by romance and the languorous freedom of summer."--Booklist, starred review
"Brandy Colbert further establishes herself as one of contemporary YA's biggest talents in this thoughtful and thought-provoking examination of identity, loyalty, and what it means to live with integrity. Little & Lion is a stunningly good novel."--Kiersten White, New York Times bestselling author of And I Darken
"Brandy Colbert takes us on an emotional and gorgeous journey with a protagonist who is trying to figure out where she fits in with her family as well as in the world. A book full of overwhelming love and courage."--Sara Farizan, author of Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel
