Indies Introduce

Young Adult

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  The Dangerous Art of Blending In, Angelo Surmelis
  Balzer + Bray, 9780062659002, January 30, 2018 (Young Adult)
  

  “This book is not an easy read. The Dangerous Art of Blending In is brutally painful, both in its depictions of Evan Panos’ family and his awkward, lonely life at school. But read it anyway! Because Evan is a kid worth rooting for as he decides in his senior year to take risks and stand out. His realistic struggle to move beyond pain and open up to friends, love and his future, is an honest, heart-wrenching testament to human resilience.”

  Katie McGinley, Wild Rumpus (Minneapolis, MN)
  
  

  “The Dangerous Art of Blending In is a beautiful, captivating, and heartbreaking story about a teenage boy, Evan, overcoming extensive abuse at the hands of his parents. Evan can’t help but feel like an outsider, due to his immigrant status and his sexuality. This book is uplifting and hopeful through to the end, which is astounding given the content. It breaks my heart that this is based on the author’s own childhood, but I am so glad that he has chosen to share his story. It will be a great resource for teens who are struggling with abuse, their own sexuality, or feeling like an outsider.”

  Kristen Beverly, Half Price Books (Dallas, TX)