Description

National Book Award Finalist

A must-read for fans of Mark Oshiro and Adam Silvera, this fiercely funny and deeply hopeful novel follows one boy’s struggle to hold everything together when life has other plans.

Ever since his adoptive mother was diagnosed with cancer, Brett feels like his world is unraveling—especially his sense of control. To cope, he immerses himself in elaborate fantasies, including his beloved intergalactic Kid Condor comic book series, where food forms constellations and the characters eerily resemble the people in his life.

But as Brett clings to these imagined worlds, the lines between fiction and reality begin to blur. The harsh stories he tells himself—that he’s unattractive, a burden to his best friend, and too broken to be loved—become impossible to ignore. Desperate to escape the overwhelming void inside him, Brett turns to unhealthy habits, convincing himself it’s the only way to manage the chaos.

When his private journal—filled with his most painful thoughts and insecurities—is posted online for the entire school to see, Brett is forced to confront the truths he’s been avoiding. As his eating disorder spirals, he finds unexpected support in Mallory, a bold and intuitive new friend who seems to understand his struggles better than he does. With the help of the people who care about him, Brett may finally find the strength to face reality—and the courage to rewrite his own story.