Optimists Die First - Susin Nielsen

When Petula de Wilde, who is anything but wild, meets Jacob in their school's dorky art therapy program, his friendship (and something more) helps her overcome intense fears since her sister died. However, Jacob has a secret of his own. \nAward-winning author Susin Nielsen has written a laugh-out-loud and heartrending novel for fans of Robyn Schneider's Extraordinary Means and Cammie McGovern's Say What You Will. \n \nBeware: Life ahead. \nSixteen-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. \n \nThe 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. . . \n \nPraise: \nBank Street Best Children's Books of the Year \n \nNielsen writes with sensitivity, empathy, and humor. --Kirkus Reviews, Starred \n \nNielsen excels at depicting troubled, clever teenagers in familiar environments. --School Library Journal, Starred \n \n[An] empathic and deeply moving story, balanced by sharply funny narration and dialogue. --Publishers Weekly, Starred \n \nA poignant exploration into the nuances of healing. --Quill and Quire, Starred\n