Jeff Zentner Knihy

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times • Buzzfeed • Kirkus Reviews • Publishers Weekly • Chicago Public Library “Redefines friendship as something that must be protected, sacrificed for, and tended to with wisdom, patience, and love.” —Ocean Vuong, New York Times bestselling author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous A poignant coming-of-age novel about two best friends whose friendship is tested when they get the opportunity to leave their impoverished small town for an elite prep school. For fans of Looking for Alaska. Life in a small Appalachian town is not easy. Cash lost his mother to an opioid addiction and his Papaw is dying slowly from emphysema. Dodging drug dealers and watching out for his best friend, Delaney, is second nature. He's been spending his summer mowing lawns while she works at Dairy Queen. But when Delaney manages to secure both of them full rides to an elite prep school in Connecticut, Cash will have to grapple with his need to protect and love Delaney, and his love for the grandparents who saved him and the town he has to leave behind. Jeff Zentner's new novel is a beautiful examination of grief, found family, and young love.

The son of a Pentecostal preacher faces his personal demons as he and his two outcast friends try to make it through their senior year of high school in rural Forrestville, Tennessee, without letting the small-town culture destroy their creative spirits and sense of self

Josie and Delia are best friends and co-hosts on their own public access TV show, Midnite Matinee. But the end of senior year is coming, and Josie is torn between pursuing her television dreams in a new city or staying making TV with her BFF.

Tender, honest, moving, and lyrical, Zentner is a true talent. His empathetic characters, especially protagonist Carver, a budding writer, showcase his skill through an artful first-person narrative. The story explores racial tensions, spoiled reputations, and broken homes, serving as a raw meditation on grief and the futility of what-ifs when confronted with irreversible events. Critics praise it as exquisite and tragic, filled with wisdom, and resonate deeply with teens seeking honesty and depth. The narrative is organic and frequently raw, with tissues being a necessity for readers. Zentner's work has garnered numerous accolades, including being a New York Times Notable Book and an Amazon Best Book of the Year. It has also been recognized by Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly as a standout title. The New York Public Library notes that Zentner is poised to fill the emotional void left by beloved authors. This story, rich in themes of friendship, family, and forgiveness, balances humor and heartbreak. It offers a brutally honest portrayal of teen life and serves as a love letter to the South, showcasing the author's deep understanding of its nuances. Zentner's remarkable achievement lies in making three distinct characters believable as friends, blending a Flannery O'Connor-esque sense of place with humor and optimism.