The Other, Better Me
Coming October 1, 2019 . . .
Finding family in unexpected places
Lola Harmon and her momma have always been a team of two. Lola loves Momma, but sometimes it feels like there’s someone missing from Lola’s life. Like there’s a big part of herself that she can’t know until she knows more about her dad.
When Lola’s teacher assigns a project that asks the class to imagine their lives if one big thing was different, Lola can’t help but think about what her life would be like if her dad was in it. But just thinking about him doesn’t feel like enough anymore.
Lola is determined to find her dad and the answers she’s been looking for. But what will happen—to her, to Momma, to their team of two—if she does?
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Reviews
“The book grapples sensitively with the concept of individual versus familial identity and presents it in a heartfelt manner. A winner for its genuine take on coming of age that will speak to readers wondering about an absent parent or just figuring out who they are.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Lola is a strong, grounded character who might be temporarily shaken by fears or unhappiness but finds her equilibrium with the help of her extended, intergenerational network of friends. Her involving first-person narrative reveals insecurities known to many young readers and offers insights into the meaning of family.” — ALA Booklist
“John brings the protagonist’s hometown to life with an array of well-developed secondary characters. Lola discovers the power of using her voice and, with the help of her community and friends, learns that family is the people who are there no matter what.” — Publishers Weekly
“The characters are well drawn and believable. Cheerful Lola’s refreshing.” — Kirkus Reviews
“With The Other, Better Me Antony John has gifted us with Lola, a smart, funny, feisty narrator, on a mission to solve a family mystery that will keep kids turning pages after reading hour is over, and a surprising conclusion that will have them standing up and cheering at the end. A perfect pick for any child who fears their family is somehow "less" than others.” — Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will and Chester and Gus
“An uplifting story about authenticity and community. Deceptively simple. Deeply truthful.” — Mary Casanova, author of The Klipfish Code
“A witty, heartfelt tale about the true meaning of friendship and family.” — Angela Cervantes, author of Lety Out Loud
“"Fans of WONDER by R. J. Palacio or JUST MY LUCK by Cammie McGovern will love the emphasis on kindness and community as well as the bold, upbeat writing and precocious narrator. This one is a must-read." — The Story Sanctuary
Mascot
NEW: DOWNLOAD FREE READER GUIDE
“This is the first week of the rest of your life. Make it count. Okay?”
Seventh-grader Noah Savino has been stuck in a wheelchair for months.
He hates the way people look at him now, like he's totally helpless. He's sick of going to physical therapy, where he isn't making any progress. He's tired of not having control over his own body. And he misses baseball--but not as much as he misses his dad, who died in the car accident that paralyzed Noah.
Between dealing with his disability and the guilt that's been weighing on him since the accident, Noah is scared he'll never feel like his old self again. He doesn't want people to think of him as different for the rest of his life.
If Noah is ever going to throw himself back in the game, he'll need to take off the mask he's been hiding behind and confront the fears that have been holding him back.
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Want a signed copy? Left Bank Books, my local Indie, is all over it!
Reviews
“The strength and beauty of this novel lie in the ways in which a community gathers around Noah. You’ll bawl at the ending, because it is so very real.” — Gary D. Schmidt, New York Times Book Review
"Wonderful. Poignant. Beautifully written. Perfect voice. Do not miss this book. Mascot is a masterpiece.” — Roland Smith, NY Times bestselling author.
"Mascot is fantastic! It’s the kind of book that makes me want to dress up in a costume and loudly tell the world about it.” — Obert Skye
“John blends humor and heartache in this powerful, satisfying coming-of-age story that handles Noah’s experience of paraplegia with honesty and sensitivity.” — Publishers Weekly
“Noah’s dilemma is universal: the struggle to rebuild identity when what once defined us no longer exists. Highlights the challenges of adapting to puberty and sudden disability at the same time.” — Kirkus Reviews
“This action-packed, humorous story contains well-developed, dynamic characters who are thoughtful and relatable.” — School Library Journal
"It is heartening to see young characters who don’t hesitate at their differences or care what other people think. As Noah comes to terms with his life-changing accident in this refreshingly fastpaced novel, readers will have an easy time cheering him on as he moves toward recovery." — Booklist
"The comedy balances accessibly with Noah’s grief here, and readers will appreciate his return to the field." — BCCB
"There is so much I want to tell you about this book! I loved each page as this story unfolded. This is a book that could be read as a class and entertain and teach in equal measures.” — Kiss The Book (reviewed by Cindy, middle school librarian)
Honors
Junior Library Guild selection, 2018
Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year list, 2019
Five flavors of dumb
The Challenge:
Piper has one month to get a paying gig for Dumb—the hottest new rock band in school.
The Deal:
If she does it, she'll become manager of the band and get her share of the profits, which she desperately needs since her parents raided her college fund.
The Catch:
Managing one egomaniacal pretty boy, one talentless piece of eye candy, one crush, one silent rocker, and one angry girl who is ready to beat her up. And doing it all when she's deaf. With growing self-confidence, an unexpected romance, and a new understanding of her family's decision to buy a cochlear implant for her deaf baby sister, Piper just may discover her own inner rock star.
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Reviews
"Complex characterizations, authentic dialogue and realistic ups-and-downs give this title chart-topping potential." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"This smart, lively novel captures the downs and ups of young rock and rollers." — The Washington Post
"An entertaining story that is essentially a love letter to rock music." — The Philadelphia Inquirer
"A solid, satisfyingly complex story." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Witty yet thoughtful." — Publishers Weekly
"Written with a reverance for popular music . . . and a respect for its ambitious teen characters." — School Library Journal
"No glittery teen novel here, thank heavens. Five Flavors of Dumb is raw, fresh, funny, and authentic. Piper is my hero." — New York Times bestselling author Lauren Myracle
"I loved it and laughed out loud. Hilarious and so smart... Five Flavors of Dumb proves that everyone, no matter what, deserves to be heard." — Catherine Gilbert Murdock, author of Dairy Queen
Honors
2011 ALA Schneider Family Book Award winner
Nominated for ten state reader awards
Winter 2010-2011 Kids' Indie Next List selection
IRA Notable Books for a Global Society
Elemental
A lost colony is reborn in this heart-pounding fantasy adventure set in the near future.
Thomas has always been an outsider. The first child born without the power of an element—earth, water, wind, or fire—he has little to offer his tiny, remote Outer Banks colony. Or so the Guardians would have him believe.
In the wake of an unforeseen storm, desperate pirates kidnap the Guardians, intent on claiming the island as their own. Caught between the plague-ridden mainland and the advancing pirates, Thomas and his friends fight for survival in the battered remains of a mysterious abandoned settlement. But the secrets they unearth will turn Thomas’s world upside-down, and bring to light not only a treacherous past but also a future more dangerous than he can possibly imagine.
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Reviews
“Completely gripping and full of intrigue, revelation, mystery, and suspense. I highly recommend this book." — James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner
“Plenty of mystery, adventure, and action.” — Publishers Weekly
“An unexpectedly emotional story of survival and self-discovery." — VOYA
"A gripping science fiction survival story." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Plenty of action for readers who enjoy survival stories with a twist of the supernatural and a hint of romance." — School Library Journal
"The lost colony of Roanoke Island meets Captain Kidd." — Kirkus
Honors
2014-15 Truman Readers Award nominee
Firebrand
In this sequel to the dystopian fantasy-adventure ELEMENTAL, the stakes are life-or-death and nothing is as it appears to be.
Thomas and his friends have rescued the Guardians and commandeered the pirates' ship, but the pirates still hold fast to Roanoke Island. Using his newly discovered element, Thomas hears a radio message calling for refugees to head to Fort Sumter. They sail south, but quickly discover that their elements wane as they leave Roanoke behind. There is something sinister going on in the refugee colony too. From the perilous food-gathering squads, to the constant threat of rat infestation, to dangerous secrets, Thomas and his colonists begin to realize that this promising new world may be even more terrifying than the one they left behind.
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Reviews
"Quickly paced and jam-packed with action. . . . A strong follow-up to an unusual, interesting postapocalyptic world dusted with just enough romantic and paranormal traces to attract a wider readership." — Booklist
"A page-turner with a dose of mystery and adventure, this series will interest fans of fantasy, history, and romance." — VOYA
"This sequel moves briskly . . . the danger and drama run high." — Kirkus
"Fans of THE MAZE RUNNER and SHIP BREAKER will love the fast pace, high stakes, and touches of romance in this thrilling novel." — Teenreads
Renegade
It’s life or death stakes in the thrilling conclusion to the ELEMENTAL series.
After the shocking discovery that his mother is still alive, Thomas demands that his fellow colonists return with him to Roanoke Island to rescue her. But the island is still under pirate control, and worse, there’s a new adversary who wields a more sinister element than they could have imagined. With the help of an unlikely ally and the newly discovered ability to combine elements, Thomas must summon the full extent of his power to end this battle for their home once and for all.
Packed with a daring escape from pirates, dangerous rescue missions, and a heartbreaking romance, the final book in the ELEMENTAL trilogy escalates to a riveting finale.
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Reviews
"Fierce, unique . . . thrilling." — Booklist
"The action doesn’t skip a beat in this gripping conclusion to the “Elemental” trilogy. . . . Fans will not be disappointed." — School Library Journal
"Action-packed conclusion." — Kirkus
"Thrilling conclusion . . . the perfect way to wrap things up. It is a wonderful book." — Left Bank Books, staff pick.
Imposter
Nothing in Hollywood is what it seems . . .
Seth Crane is a nobody, just an eighteen-year-old community theater actor who's been in a few small commercials. So when a director stops him after a show and offers him the lead role in a huge indie film, it seems like a dream come true. Suddenly he's swept up in the glamorous Hollywood life, with fancy parties, press junkets, and flirtations with two beautiful stars.
But something's a little strange on the set. And when his costar's darkest secrets start popping up in the media--secrets she's only told Seth and that could destroy her life--Seth realizes that fame may have too high a price.
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Reviews
"Imposter is pure adrenaline! Antony John rebuilds the teen thriller genre with a novel that is whip-smart, devious, and tremendous fun." — Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Predator One and Rot & Ruin
"A twisty thrill ride." — April Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Girl, Stolen.
"An intriguing and glamorous conspiracy full of makeouts and fake outs." — School Library Journal
Thou shalt not road trip
One crazy road trip full of rejection, redemption, and romance.
When sixteen-year-old Luke's book, Hallelujah, becomes a national best seller, his publisher sends him on a cross-country tour with his unpredictable older brother, Matt, as chauffeur. But when Matt offers to drive Luke's ex-crush, Fran, across the country too, things get a little crazy. Luke thinks he's enlightened, but he really needs to loosen up if he's going to discover what it truly means to have faith, and do what it takes to get the girl he loves.
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Reviews
"With a nice balance of adventure and character development, Antony’s novel . . . will reward teens seeking an upbeat read with a unique premise, great settings, and just a little more." — Booklist
Busted
It was all a misunderstanding.
Up until two weeks ago, the sexiest thing Kevin Mopselyhad touched his lips to was the spit-filled mouthpiece of his flute. But when he accidentally volunteers for the jocks' Graduation Rituals, Kevin's social stock—and his make-out record—soars. All he has to do to preserve his alpha male status is compile the annual Book of Busts, a record of the chest size of every girl in the senior class.
But as Kevin morphs from bumbling sweetheart into lying serial dater, his project sparks a full-blown feminist revolt at Brookbank High, pitting “GRRLS” against jerks. When he finds himself the prime object of disgust—to his teacher, to himself, and, worst of all, to Abby White, the only girl who's ever liked him for who he is—Kevin must decide if his newfound popularity is worth the fallout of a life spent chasing girls.
Reviews
"Hilariously dead on." — Kirkus Reviews
"John uses and breaks teen stereotypes with wit and plot twists." — VOYA
"A superior exploration of the clash between high-school horniness and feminism." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Antony John plunges the reader deep into the treacherous waters of high school with this lighthearted book. His characters are genuine, and his dialogue is quick and snappy ... an entertaining and fun read." — TeensReadToo
