Optimists Die First

By: Susin Nielsen

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Paperback | 20 February 2018

At a Glance

Paperback
256 Pages

Age
12+

Grade
7+

Dimensions(cm)
20.96 x 13.97 x 1.27

Paperback

$34.99

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Award-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

Industry Reviews

"Nielsen writes with sensitivity, empathy, and humor." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred "Nielsen excels at depicting troubled, clever teenagers in familiar environments." --School Library Journal, Starred

"Grief and guilt permeate Nielsen's (We Are All Made of Molecules) empathic and deeply moving story, balanced by sharply funny narration and dialogue." --Publishers Weekly, Starred

"The dialogue is effortless, the plot moves at a fast pace, and the scenes come alive. . . . a poignant exploration into the nuances of healing." --Quill and Quire, Starred

"Heartbreaking and hopeful, this is a solid choice for readers looking for a book to make them cry and laugh at the same time." --Booklist

"Susin Nielsen once more brings readers a story that is infused with light-hearted humour, even as it touches on numerous weighty issues." --Canadian Children's Book News

"Here, as in Nielsen's previous award-winning novels, her use of first-person narration is compellingly believable. The short chapters sprint by with sitcom pacing and snappy dialogue . . . This novel is about how good people can make mistakes and then learn to accept them." --Vancouver Sun

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