Wendelin Van Draanen is the author of many beloved and award-winning books. For middle graders, she's written Swear to Howdy and the Sammy Keyes mystery series. For teens and tweens, there's Flipped, The Running Dream, Confessions of a Serial Kisser, and Runaway. And for younger readers, check out the Shredderman quartet and the Gecko and Sticky series. Wendelin Van Draanen lives in Central California with her husband and two sons. Find her on the Web at WendelinVanDraanen.com or on Twitter at @WendelinVanD.

"Van Draanen deftly hooks readers with her very first sentence and keeps their attention with a series of hilarious stunts right up to the shocking climax. A deceptively simple narrative, funny at the outset but realistic in its consideration of some very serious issues."--Booklist, Starred Review

"Triumph and tragedy mix in a compelling country tale of boys being boys."--Kirkus Reviews

"A poignant, thought-provoking novel that will strike a chord with young readers hooked by the boyish antics of the early chapters, later to be emotionally drawn to the honest portrayal of characters struggling with the consequences that follow every action."--Midwest Book Review

Publisher: Yearling Books

Pub date: 2005-11-08

Length: 144 pages