{"product_id":"9780553496932","title":"Optimists Die First","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAward-winning author Susin Nielsen has written a laugh-out-loud and heartrending novel for fans of Robyn Schneider’s \u003ci\u003eExtraordinary Means\u003c\/i\u003e and Cammie McGovern’s \u003ci\u003eSay What You Will\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeware: Life ahead. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eSixteen-year-old Petula de Wilde is anything but wild. A former crafting fiend with a happy life, Petula shut herself off from the world after a family tragedy. She sees danger in all the ordinary things, like crossing the street, a bug bite, or a germy handshake. She knows: life is out to get you. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe worst part of her week is her comically lame mandatory art therapy class with a small group of fellow misfits. Then a new boy, Jacob, appears at school and in her therapy group. He seems so normal and confident, though he has a prosthetic arm; and soon he teams up with Petula on a hilarious project, gradually inspiring her to let go of some of her fears. But as the two grow closer, a hidden truth behind why he’s in the group threatens to derail them, unless Petula takes a huge risk. . . \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePraise: \u003cbr\u003e“Nielsen writes with sensitivity, empathy, and humor.” —\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews, \u003c\/i\u003eStarred\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e “Nielsen excels at depicting troubled, clever teenagers in familiar environments.” —\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal,\u003c\/i\u003e Starred \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“[An] empathic and deeply moving story, balanced by sharply funny narration and dialogue.” —\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly, \u003c\/i\u003eStarred \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A poignant exploration into the nuances of healing.” —\u003ci\u003eQuill and Quire,\u003c\/i\u003e Starred\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Random House Children's Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47012568760560,"sku":"9780553496932","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780553496932_p0.jpg?v=1763718242","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780553496932","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}