THE GREAT AMERICAN WHATEVER

Six months after his sister's sudden death, 16-year-old Quinn is numb, his mother is grieving, and his father is long gone. That might not sound like the premise for a laugh-out-loud audiobook, but Quinn is witty and instantly endearing, which both softens the heartbreak and makes it feel more real. Author Tim Federle's genuine narration is just right--self-deprecating, heartfelt, a little snarky, and always authentic. He puts listeners squarely into Quinn's point of view. We feel what Quinn feels--guilt, lust, fear, love, and the heat of a Pittsburgh summer--as he tries to figure out his place in the world without Annabeth, navigates his first crush, and tests his relationship with his best friend, Geoff. A lovely, winning match of novel and performance. J.M.D. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2016]