About this item
Looking for Alaska meets Breaking Bad in this piercing novel about three teens, caught in the middle of the opioid crisis in rural Appalachia, whose world literally blows up around them.For as long as Miri can remember it's been her and her dad, Poe, in Paradise - what Poe calls their home, hidden away from prying eyes in rural Kentucky. It's not like Miri doesn't know what her dad does or why people call him "the Wizard." It's not like she doesn't know why Clay, her one friend and Poe's right-hand man, patrols the grounds with a machine gun. It's nothing new, but lately Paradise has started to feel more like a prison. Enter Fen. The new kid in town could prove to be exactly the distraction Miri needs ... but nothing is ever simple. Poe doesn't take kindly to strangers.
About the Author
Heather Henson was born and raised in central Kentucky in a summerstock theater her father founded in 1950, and her family still owns and operates. After moving to New York City to study theater and filmmaking, Heather decided to focus on her first love: writing. She graduated from The New School University with a degree in creative writing and literature, and went on to work as an editor of children's books at a major publisher. After many years living in Brooklyn, NY, she returned to her home state of Kentucky to focus on her writing, which has always been deeply influenced by her roots. In her writing for young readers, Heather likes to focus on unsung heroes in history and celebrate their achievements. Her latest picture book, "Lift Your Light Little Higher: The Story of Stephen Bishop, Slave-Explorer," illustrated by Caldecott-Honor and Coretta Scott King-Award winner, Bryan Collier, "recovers an important piece of African-American history," said Kirkus in a starred review. Her picture book, "That Book Woman," illustrated by Caldecott-Medal winner David Small, celebrates the Pack Horse Librarians who brought the gift of reading to countless families in Appalachia during the 1930's. "That Book Woman" won the prestigious Christopher Medal, as well as the Great Lakes Book Award, among other awards. Heather lives on a farm in the heart of the Bluegrass with her husband and three children.
