Looking for Group

April 24, 2017
Dylan was terminally ill with cancer, then miraculously went into remission. During years spent indoors and in hospitals, Dylan’s life largely revolved around playing World of Warcraft, where he met and befriended a gamer named Arden, who was born David but now lives as a girl. Sixteen years old and facing a future he never expected to have, Dylan shows up at Arden’s house unannounced. Arden is happy to see Dylan, who’s gay, and the two embark on a road trip, finding more than a few hurdles while en route to California. Dylan narrates in a clipped, introspective voice as he and Arden swap stories, get their car stolen, and sell Dylan’s leftover cancer drugs in order to keep the road trip going. Debut author Harrison takes on several substantial topics, including the aftermath of disease, prescription pill abuse, gender identity, and sexuality. The characters’ conflicts gracefully counterbalance their growing intimacy as they move toward a destination that is less significant than the journey itself. Ages 13–up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

Starred review from February 15, 2017
When two teen gamers meet IRL, they go on a quest to get to know each other.A pale, thin, formerly-dying-but-now-in-remission boy named Dylan is standing in front of his best friend, Arden. They've spent countless nights playing, chatting, laughing, and flirting in World of Warcraft, and though they've never actually met offline, she invites him in. Through WoW, the awkwardness of the unplanned real-life meeting melts away. The next morning, after hearing Arden arguing with her father, Dylan invites her on a real quest to the Mojave Desert, and to his surprise, she agrees, and they're off. When he first lays eyes on her, Dylan is struck by Arden's beauty--pale skin, dark curls, tall and lean--but banishes further thoughts. He's gay, and she's a girl. But as they move in and out of familiarity and tension, Dylan gets over himself and makes it clear he's into her. She's wary at first--she's trans and checks that he's not confused about her--but she admits she's into him, too. Short paragraphs in Dylan's hyperaware present-tense narration draw readers in. Harrison treats her characters with love and kindness, even when they're not kind to themselves, making for a sweet, sincere romance, perfect for smartasses who cringe at the genre. This book is a triumph, allowing honesty, excitement, humor, and heart to step over gender and sexuality constraints and tell a beautiful story. (Fiction. 13-adult)

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 1, 2017

Gr 8 Up-Dylan Stefansky was diagnosed with cancer when he was in his early teens. Several years later, he's in remission, maybe even cured. When he returns to his high school to register, the secretary insists that he cannot do so without a parent or guardian present. Since Dylan's mother works nights and doesn't like to give up her sleeping time, Dylan is reluctant to call her. Instead, he gets in his car and drives west. In the back of his mind, Dylan is thinking about heading to California, to the Salton Sea, to look for a fabled sunken ship. Driving along the I-70, he sees a sign for a town called Amaranth, which he realizes is where Arden, whom he met playing World of Warcraft, lives. He dumps his mother's decrepit Monte Carlo at a gas station and borrows the clerk's phone to find Arden's address. The next day, the two of them head out on their quest. Arden (who is trans) and Dylan (who is gay) develop a strong emotional and physical relationship during their road trip, which is fraught with problems. When they eventually make it to California and find the Salton Sea, Dylan convinces Arden to return home, while he remains. This conclusion may frustrate readers who want a happy-ever-after ending. The slow pace of this road trip novel may also deter some teens. VERDICT This well-written but complex book is recommended for libraries needing to expand their LGBTQ collections for advanced readers.-Marlyn Beebe, Long Beach Public Library, CA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2017
Grades 9-12 Miraculously, Dylan is no longer dying from brain cancer, but he's still desperately poor and alone. On a whim, Dylan seeks out his one true friend, Arden, whom he has only met virtually through their shared adventures in World of Warcraft. Dylan has the crazy idea that the two of them can go on a real-life quest in search of a legendary sunken treasure in the Salton Sea. Arden, a trans girl living with her unaccepting father, is as ready for adventure as her WoW persona, and the two take off to cross the country in her Mercedes. Dylan, who is gay, is deeply attracted to Arden. But Arden is very much a girl, despite her physical attributes. Is it offensive to want her? Harrison's writing is often lovely as she portrays Dylan's kaleidoscopic emotions. Like that of David in Lisa Williamson's The Art of Being Normal (2015), Dylan's first-person narrative is deeply introspective and intense. Recommend to readers interested in romance featuring diversity in sexual orientation and gender expression.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)