Autoboyography

July 3, 2017
Tanner Scott, 18, relocated to Provo, Utah, from Palo Alto, Calif., three years ago, but he has never quite fit in. Half Jewish, half lapsed Mormon, and 100% bisexual, Tanner is eager to finish his final semester of high school so he can move somewhere more accepting. The only person he’ll regret leaving is his best friend Autumn. When she dares him to apply for the Seminar, a specialized writing class where students attempt to write a novel in four months, Tanner agrees. Little does he realize it will dramatically change his life: 19-year-old Sebastian Brother, a local celebrity after his Seminar project was acquired by a major publishing house, shows up to mentor the class and sparks fly. Once again writing as Lauren, Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (The House) tackle religion, identity, and sexuality, seamlessly interweaving Tanner’s Seminar project, his crush on Sebastian, and the fallout when Sebastian’s feelings conflict with his church’s expectations of him. A hopeful and moving love story. Ages 14–up. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary.

Narrators Deacon Lee and Kyle Mason deliver a sensitive portrayal of the star-crossed romance between Tanner, a bisexual high school senior, and Sebastian, a devout Mormon and newly minted author. The story is set in Provo, Utah, and most of Tanner's classmates, except his best friend, Autumn, belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while he and his family, California transplants, do not. The boys meet in Tanner's novel-writing class, for which Sebastian is the teaching assistant. The resulting roller coaster of emotions is evident in their voices as they struggle with family disapproval, faith, and love. Lee and Mason alternate the final chapters, which may initially confuse listeners. But, overall, light yet distinctive characterizations bring family, friends, and community members to life. The conversation between the author and Lee is a bonus treat. J.R.T. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine