September 2022, Abrams, 336 pp
From National Book Award–winner Kacen Callender, a contemporary YA that follows Lark’s journey to speak the truth and discover how their own self-love can be a revolution
Lark Winters wants to be a writer, and for now that means posting on their social media accounts––anything to build their platform. When former best friend Kasim accidentally posts a thread on Lark’s Twitter declaring his love for a secret, unrequited crush, Lark’s tweets are suddenly the talk of the school—and beyond. To protect Kasim, Lark decides to take the fall, pretending they accidentally posted the thread in reference to another classmate. It seems like a great idea: Lark gets closer to their crush, Kasim keeps his privacy, and Lark’s social media stats explode. But living a lie takes a toll—as does the judgment of thousands of Internet strangers. Lark tries their best to be perfect at all costs, but nothing seems good enough for the anonymous hordes––or for Kasim, who is growing closer to Lark, just like it used to be between them . . .
In the end, Lark must embrace their right to their messy emotions and learn how to be in love.
STARRED REVIEWS
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Callender proffers complex perspectives on activism, bullying, respectability politics, and polyamory, among other timely topics via a queer, socially conscious cast.”
BULLETIN FOR THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS: “Recommend Lark and Kasim to everyone, but especially to Black, queer, neurodiverse teens who deserve representation where their identities are accepted and celebrated.”
BOOKLIST: “Callender carefully and compassionately addresses topics like rejection, activism, racism, transphobia, polyamory, mental health, and navigating the publishing industry as a marginalized person. This is a strongly character-driven novel that will certainly make readers root for Lark, Kasim, and their community and chosen family. It might even make them want to start revolutions of their own.”
INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS
Dutch | Querido Kinderboeken |
English (UK) | Faber |
German | LYX Bastei Lübbe AG |
Polish | Wydawnictwo Poznanskie |
DRAMATIC RIGHTS
Please contact Addison Duffy at UTA.