{"product_id":"optimists-die-first-by-susin-nielsen","title":"Optimists Die First by Susin Nielsen","description":"\u003cp\u003eAward-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.\u003cbr\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.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“Nielsen excels at depicting troubled, clever teenagers in familiar environments.” —School Library Journal, Starred \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“[An] empathic and deeply moving story, balanced by sharply funny narration and dialogue.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A poignant exploration into the nuances of healing.” —Quill and Quire, Starred\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Book Express","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41888548388938,"sku":"4744x","price":10.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0618\/9101\/8826\/files\/4744x_a13107f7-2355-402d-a2b5-9c4a1dd764db.jpg?v=1765647395","url":"https:\/\/www.bookexpress.nz\/products\/optimists-die-first-by-susin-nielsen","provider":"Book Express","version":"1.0","type":"link"}