• Publication Season/Year: Fall, 2010
• Publisher: Flux
• Release Date: November 1, 2010
• ISBN (hardcover): N/A
• ISBN (paperback): 978-0738721484

Alyssa Bondar’s world is falling apart. She has just entered her sophomore year at Glenfair High, the only place to hang out is behind the CVS, Keith her cross-country crush keeps sending her mixed signals, and her best friend Lana has started the school year with large breasts and a sexy attitude–-attracting the attention of the most popular kids in the school, a group Alyssa clearly doesn’t fit into.

Alyssa’s Jewish, like most of Glenfair, but since she’s also Russian, Alyssa feels even more separated from other teens. How many other Jewish families have a New Year’s tree with ornaments? On top of all this, Alyssa’s once stable home environment has become chaotic.

Alyssa is used to alcohol accompanying every meal and event in the Russian culture. But when Alyssa’s mother loses her job, the usual drink or two changes into a full-time happy hour. While Alyssa’s father uses news reports of war unrest in the Middle East as his escape from reality, Alyssa is left to pick up the pieces of her shattered family alone. As her mother’s alcoholism gets worse, Alyssa must decide how much she can and should handle before she crumbles as well.

About the Author

Margie Gelbwasser has written for a variety of magazines including Writer's Digest, SELF, LHJ, Girl's Life, and NJ Monthly. Her first YA novel, INCONVENIENT, will be published by Flux in November 2010. She's currently at work on her second YA novel out by Flux in Fall 2011.  Read more about how to book or contact Margie Gelbwasser.