Pride Adaptation In The Works With HBO

On October 13, it was announced that Ibi Zoboi’s 2018 Contemporary novel Pride was recently picked up to be adapted as a series with HBO!

Deadline announced that screenwriter Aziza Barnes, alongside actress and screenwriter Natasha Rothwell would be leading the development alongside Alloy Entertainment.

Pride follows Zuri Benitez whose not interested in the wealthy family that moves in across the street, much less the two teenage sons. However that begins to change when she needs to get along with one of the sons, Darius and sparks begin to fly. Pride also discusses gentrification as Zuri notices her beloved neighborhood, begins changing.

Zoboi’s novel also explores Zuri’s Haitian-Dominican heritage.

Warner Bros. Television is attached alongside production with executive producers Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo through Alloy.

Barnes was the writer for Snowfall and Netflix’s Teenage Bounty Hunters, while Rothwell is a recurring lead actress and writer for HBO’s Insecure.

No other details about the upcoming adaptation were announced. Zoboi is a National Book Award Finalist and her star-reviewed novel Pride is a Pride And Prejudice retelling.

Zuri Benitez has pride. Brooklyn pride, family pride, and pride in her Afro-Latino roots. But pride might not be enough to save her rapidly gentrifying neighborhood from becoming unrecognizable.

When the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri wants nothing to do with their two teenage sons, even as her older sister, Janae, starts to fall for the charming Ainsley. She especially can’t stand the judgmental and arrogant Darius. Yet as Zuri and Darius are forced to find common ground, their initial dislike shifts into an unexpected understanding.

But with four wild sisters pulling her in different directions, cute boy Warren vying for her attention, and college applications hovering on the horizon, Zuri fights to find her place in Bushwick’s changing landscape, or lose it all.

Pride by Ibi Zoboi is out now!

A Psalm Of Storms And Silence by Roseanne A. Brown Cover Reveal

On October 9, Roseanne A. Brown revealed through her Twitter the sequel cover to A Song Of Wraiths And Ruin which will be titled A Psalm Of Storms And Silence.

ASOWAR follows refugee Malik who wants to escape his war-stricken home with his sister, but when she’s captured the only way he can get her back is to kill the crown princess. Karina has aspirations of her own and the only way she can accomplish them is by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of a competition.

Brown is a New York Times and Indie Bestselling author whose debut, A Song Of Wraiths And Ruin, is currently under option with ABC Studios for a television adaptation.

The cover artist is Tawny Chatmon and designer is Jessie Gang.

The ASOWAR duology is set to conclude next summer in 2021!

For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.

But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.

When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?

A Psalm Of Storms And Silence Is Set To Be Released on June 1, 2021!

A Song Of Wraiths And Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown Gets TV Rights Optioned With ABC Studios

Revealed through Roseanne A. Brown’s Twitter, the rights to her debut fantasy novel A Song Of Wraiths And Ruin have been picked up by ABC Studios, as of September 17!

A Song Of Wraiths And Ruin follows refugee Malik who wants to escape his war-stricken home with his sister, but when she’s captured the only way he can get her back is to kill the crown princess. Karina has aspirations of her own and the only way she can accomplish them is by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of a competition.

According to the Publishers Marketplace Deal Report, it was optioned with ABC Studios alongside Alice Lawson at The Gersh Agency and Quressa Robinson at Nelson Literary.

Brown has pitched her novel as “what would happen if Aladdin and Jasmine had to kill each other, and it’s full of West African folklore, dark magic, betrayal, and an enemies-to-lovers romance.”

Brown’s ASOWAR duology is set to conclude with A Psalm Of Storms And Silence, which is set to be released in Summer of 2021!

For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.

But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.

When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?

A Song Of Wraiths And Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown is out now!

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender To Be Adapted As A TV Series With Amazon

On August 31, Deadline announced that Kacen Callender’s latest Young Adult Contemporary novel Felix Ever After, is set to be developed into a television series with Amazon Studios.

Callender’s novel which has gotten starred reviews from School Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly, tells the story of Felix Love a Black, queer, transgender teen navigating love and identity.

It was also mentioned that the rights to Felix Ever After were picked up by Field Trip Productions. Stephanie Dietz, Director of Development over at Field Trip, will oversee the production.

From Stonewall and Lambda Award-winning author Kacen Callender comes a revelatory YA novel about a transgender teen grappling with identity and self-discovery while falling in love for the first time.

Felix Love has never been in love—and, yes, he’s painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants to know what it’s like and why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. What’s worse is that, even though he is proud of his identity, Felix also secretly fears that he’s one marginalization too many—Black, queer, and transgender—to ever get his own happily-ever-after.

When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages—after publicly posting Felix’s deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned—Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. What he didn’t count on: his catfish scenario landing him in a quasi–love triangle….

But as he navigates his complicated feelings, Felix begins a journey of questioning and self-discovery that helps redefine his most important relationship: how he feels about himself.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender is out now!

Young Adult Cover Reveals For June!

Today on The Booked Shelf we’ll be highlighting some of the fantastic cover reveals during June!

1. Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant

On June 10 via Twitter, debut author Elise Bryant shared the cover to her contemporary which follows Tessa who loves romance novels and gets into creative writing. But when she needs to find inspiration she decides to follow romance novel-inspired tips to refill her creative well.

Bryant mentioned in her thread that “Joy is an act of resistance, and this book is my joy.” Cover designer is Jessie Gang and artist is Michell D’Urbano. Happily Ever Afters is set to be released January 5, 2021!

Sixteen-year-old Tessa Johnson has never felt like the protagonist in her own life. She’s rarely seen herself reflected in the pages of the romance novels she loves. The only place she’s a true leading lady is in her own writing—in the swoony love stories she shares only with Caroline, her best friend and #1 devoted reader.

When Tessa is accepted into the creative writing program of a prestigious art school, she’s excited to finally let her stories shine. But when she goes to her first workshop, the words are just…gone. Fortunately, Caroline has a solution: Tessa just needs to find some inspiration in a real-life love story of her own. And she’s ready with a list of romance-novel-inspired steps to a happily ever after that will surely refill Tessa’s creative well. Nico, the brooding artist who looks like he walked out of one of Tessa’s stories, is cast as the perfect Prince Charming.

But as Tessa checks each item off Caroline’s list, she gets further and further away from finding her words, and herself, again. She risks losing her parents’ trust, her spot in the writing program, and her friendships—including the surprising bond she develops with Sam, the aspiring baker who lives across the street. She’s well on her way to having her own real-life love story, yet she can’t help but wonder…Is it the one she wants, after all?

2. Shadow City by Francesca Flores

On June 15 through Twitter, Francesca Flores revealed the sequel cover to Diamond City titled Shadow City. This novel will conclude the fantasy duology which follows Aina Solís who lives in the industrial city of Kosín, trying to uncover a conspiracy. Cover designer is Kerri Resnick. Shadow City by Francesca Flores is set to be released January 26, 2021!

Aina Solís has fought her way to the top of criminal ranks in the city of Kosín by wresting control of an assassin empire owned by her old boss, Kohl. She never has to fear losing her home and returning to life on the streets again—except Kohl, the man who tried to ruin her life, will do anything to get his empire back. Aina sets out to kill him before he can kill her.

But Alsane Bautix, the old army general who was banned from his seat in the government after Aina revealed his corruption, is working to take back power by destroying anyone who stands in his way. With a new civil war on the horizon and all their lives at risk, the only way for Aina to protect her home is to join up with the only other criminal more notorious than her: Kohl himself.

As Bautix’s attacks increase, Aina and Kohl work together to stop his incoming weapons shipments and his plans to take back the Tower of Steel. To defeat them both, Aina will resort to betrayal, poison, and a deadly type of magic that hasn’t been used in years.

Through narrow alleys, across train rooftops, and deep in the city’s tunnels, Aina and Kohl will test each other’s strengths and limits, each of them knowing that once Bautix is dead, they’ll still have to face each other. If she manages to kill him, she’ll finally have the freedom she wants—but it might forever mark her as his shadow in a city where only the strongest survive.

3. Muted by Tami Charles

As of June 15, I Read YA revealed through their Twitter, the cover to Tami Charles “powerful novel in verse about the music industry, ambition, and exploitation” titled Muted. Artist is Adekunele, Jaycina is the cover model, and photographer is Ryan Stokes. Muted by Tami Charles is set to be released February 2, 2021!

A ripped-from-the-headlines novel of ambition, music, and innocence lost, perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Jason Reynolds!
Be bold. Get seen. Be Heard.

For seventeen-year-old Denver, music is everything. Writing, performing, and her ultimate goal: escaping her very small, very white hometown.

So Denver is more than ready on the day she and her best friends Dali and Shak sing their way into the orbit of the biggest R&B star in the world, Sean “Mercury” Ellis. Merc gives them everything: parties, perks, wild nights — plus hours and hours in the recording studio. Even the painful sacrifices and the lies the girls have to tell are all worth it.

Until they’re not.

Denver begins to realize that she’s trapped in Merc’s world, struggling to hold on to her own voice. As the dream turns into a nightmare, she must make a choice: lose her big break, or get broken.

4. Roman And Jewel by Dana L. Davis

On June 15, Triada US revealed the cover to Dana L. Davis’s upcoming contemporary titled Roman And Jewel. This novel is pitched as “what if Romeo And Juliet got the Hamilton treatment?” Alongside the cover reveal was a Q&A with Davis about what inspired the story, her thoughts on the cover, and much more. Davis said she loves the cover and thinks “it represents the book so well.” Cover designer is Elita Sidiropoulou and cover illustrator is Robert Ball. Roman and Jewel by Dana L. Davis is set to be released January 5, 2021!

Jerzie Jhames will do anything to land the lead role in Broadway’s hottest new show, Roman and Jewel, a Romeo and Juliet inspired hip-hopera featuring a diverse cast and modern twists on the play. But her hopes are crushed when she learns mega-star Cinny won the lead…and Jerzie is her understudy.

Falling for male lead Zeppelin Reid is a terrible idea–especially once Jerzie learns Cinny wants him for herself. Star-crossed love always ends badly.

But when a video of Jerzie and Zepp practicing goes viral and the entire world weighs in on who should play Jewel, Jerzie learns that while the price of fame is high, friendship, family, and love are priceless.

5. Witches Steeped In Gold by Ciannon Smart

On June 17 through a video on Twitter, Smart revealed the cover to her Caribbean-inspired fantasy debut titled Witches Steeped In Gold that follows ” two witches from enemy castes—one seeking power, and one seeking revenge—who will stop at nothing to overthrow the Witch Queen, even if it means forming an alliance with each other and unleashing chaos on their island nation.” The team of cover designers included Jenna Lewis-Stempel, Chris Kwon, Alison Donalty, and Nick Oelschlägel. Witches Steeped In Gold by Ciannon Smart is set to be released April 20, 2021!

Divided by their castes. United by their vengeance.

Iraya has spent her life in a cell, but every day brings her closer to freedom—and vengeance.

Jazmyne is the queen’s daughter, but unlike her sister before her, she has no intention of dying to strengthen her mother’s power.

Sworn enemies, these two witches enter a precarious alliance to take down a mutual threat. But revenge is a bloody pursuit, and nothing is certain—except the lengths they will go to win this game.

Deadly, fierce, magnetically addictive: this Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut is a thrilling journey where dangerous magic reigns supreme and betrayal lurks beneath every word.

 6. A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

Over at Book Riot, the cover for Loan Le’s debut rom-com titled A Pho Love Story was revealed on June 23. It follows 2 Vietnamese-American teens navigating their new relationship while their families’ age-old feud over competing restaurants continues. The cover was designed by Laura Eckes and illustrated by Alex Cabal. A Pho Love Story by Loan Le is set to be released February 9, 2021!

If Bao Nguyen had to describe himself, he’d say he was a rock. Steady and strong, but not particularly interesting. His grades are average, his social status unremarkable. He works at his parents’ pho restaurant, and even there, he is his parents’ fifth favorite employee. Not ideal.

If Linh Mai had to describe herself, she’d say she was a firecracker. Stable when unlit, but full of potential for joy and spark and fire. She loves art and dreams pursuing a career in it. The only problem? Her parents rely on her in ways they’re not willing to admit, including working practically full-time at her family’s pho restaurant.

For years, the Mais and the Nguyens have been at odds, having owned competing, neighboring phở restaurants. Bao and Linh, who’ve avoided each other for most of their lives, both suspect that the feud stems from feelings much deeper than friendly competition.

But then a chance encounter brings Linh and Bao together despite their best efforts and sparks fly, leading them both to wonder what took so long for them to connect. But then, of course, they immediately remember.

Can Linh and Bao find love in the midst of feuding families and complicated histories?

Over at Epic Reads there’s also a list of cover reveals featuring YA they’ll be publishing in Winter 2021!

Becky Albertalli Announces A New Simonverse Novel!

On April 21, Becky Albertalli revealed through her Twitter an upcoming novella in her Simonverse series, titled Love, Creekwood!

Love, Creekwood will be a third of the length of a Simonverse book, is written all through email, and is set during the group’s first year of college. Albertalli also mentioned that the novel will contain spoilers for Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda & Leah On The Offbeat.

She also stated that 100% of her English language royalty will be donated to The Trevor Project.

“Also contains: shenanigans, exclamation points, yearning, Drunk Simon, Nostalgic Blue, Finals Week Abby, Valentine’s Day Leah, big decisions, and MUCH talk of kissing…”

Becky Albertalli via Twitter

Cover artist is Chris Bilheimer and the cover design is by Jenna Stempel-Lobell.

Fall in love all over again with the characters from the bestselling Simonverse novels in this highly anticipated epilogue novella.

It’s been more than a year since Simon and Blue turned their anonymous online flirtation into an IRL relationship, and just a few months since Abby and Leah’s unforgettable night at senior prom. 

Now the Creekwood High crew are first years at different colleges, navigating friendship and romance the way their story began—on email.

Love, Creekwood by Becky Albertalli is set to be released June 30, 2020!

Young Adult Book Cover Reveals For January 2020!

2020 has only just begun and here on The Booked Shelf, we’re starting off the new year by highlighting some Young Adult book covers!

Check out these covers for upcoming YA titles that were revealed in January!

1. The Ravens by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige

Revealed exclusively via Entertainment Weekly on January 10, was the cover to The Ravens which is a “dark new contemporary fantasy about a prestigious sorority of witches, and two girls caught up in its world of sinister magic and betrayals.”

Alongside the cover reveal was also an excerpt of the prologue and chapter one. According to the EW article, Paige shared that “I’ve always been fascinated by witches…It’s their power, the potential for darkness, the idea that they are even more powerful together. But most importantly, it’s the sisterhood. That’s why it is so much fun to write a modern take on witches with a friend…”

Here’s the full summary:

Kappa Rho Nu isn’t your average sorority. Their parties are notorious. Their fundraisers are known for being Westerly College’s most elaborate affairs. But beneath the veil of Greek life and prestige, the sisters of Kappu Rho Nu share a secret: they’re a coven of witches.

For Vivi Deveraux, being one of Kappa Rho Nu’s Ravens means getting a chance to redefine herself. For Scarlett Winters, a bonafide Raven and daughter of a legacy Raven, pledge this year means living up to her mother’s impossible expectations of becoming Kappa Rho Nu’s next president. Scarlett knows she’d be the perfect candidate — that is, if she didn’t have one human-sized skeleton in her closet…. When Vivi and Scarlett are paired as big and little for initiation, they find themselves sinking into the sinister world of blood oaths and betrayals.

The Ravens is set to be released January 5, 2021!

2. Kingdom Of The Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

Through a Paste Magazine exclusive, both a cover reveal and excerpt were revealed for Maniscalco’s upcoming historical fantasy set in 19th century Italy titled, Kingdom Of The Wicked on January 13!

According to the article, Paste Magazine mentioned that although she has a talent for “weaving haunting mysteries and smoldering romances” this marks Maniscalco’s “first foray into the fantasy genre…”

Here’s the full summary:

Emilia and her twin sister Victoria are strega – witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Victoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to discover who did this, and to seek vengeance at any cost—even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, the outlier among the seven demon brethren, always choosing duty over pleasure. He’s been tasked by his master with investigating a series of women’s murders on the island. When Emilia and Wrath’s fates collide, it’s clear this disturbing mystery will take a bewitching turn…

Kingdom Of The Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco is set to be released September 15, 2019!

3. The Summer Of Everything by Julian Winters

Paste Magazine revealed a cover and exclusive excerpt for the third upcoming contemporary novel from Julian Winters which “boasts many YA tropes to adore. A protagonist who’s smitten with a best friend? Check. Who’s obsessed with “old” music? Done. And who’s a nerd working at a bookstore?…” titled The Summer Of Everything!

Here’s the full summary:

Comic book geek Wesley Hudson excels at two things: slacking off at his job and pining after his best friend, Nico. Advice from his friends, ‘90s alt-rock songs, and online dating articles aren’t helping much with his secret crush. And his dream job at Once Upon a Page, the local used bookstore, is threatened when a coffeeshop franchise wants to buy the property.

To top it off, his annoying brother needs wedding planning advice. When all three problems converge, Wes comes face-to-face with the one thing he’s been avoiding—adulthood.

Now, confronted with reality, can Wes balance saving the bookstore and his strained sibling relationship? Can he win the heart of his crush, too?

The Summer Of Everything by Julian Winters is set to be released August 4, 2020!

4. All The Stars And Teeth by Adalyn Grace

The Book Smugglers shared the official UK cover for Adalyn Grace’s Fantasy debut, All The Stars And Teeth on January 20, 2020!

Alongside the cover reveal was also an excerpt! Grace’s novel is “set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice, [its] a thrilling fantasy!”

Here’s the full summary:

As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer—the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.

When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.

But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder—and more peril—than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.

All The Stars And Teeth by Adalyn Grace is set to be released February 4, 2020 in the US & July 7, 2020 in the UK!

5. The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi

On January 21, Paste Magazine revealed both the cover and an exclusive excerpt to Chokshi’s highly anticipated sequel to The Gilded Wolves titled, The Silvered Serpents!

Set around the turn of the 19th century, this series follows “Séverin Montagnet-Alarie and his team of treasure hunters from 19th-century Paris…”

Additionally, the article also revealed the new paperback cover for The Gilded Wolves which will be also be released in September.

Here’s the full summary:

They are each other’s fiercest love, greatest danger, and only hope.

Séverin and his team members might have successfully thwarted the Fallen House, but victory came at a terrible cost ― one that still haunts all of them. Desperate to make amends, Séverin pursues a dangerous lead to find a long lost artifact rumoured to grant its possessor the power of God.

Their hunt lures them far from Paris, and into icy heart of Russia where crystalline ice animals stalk forgotten mansions, broken goddesses carry deadly secrets, and a string of unsolved murders makes the crew question whether an ancient myth is a myth after all.

As hidden secrets come to the light and the ghosts of the past catch up to them, the crew will discover new dimensions of themselves. But what they find out may lead them down paths they never imagined.

A tale of love and betrayal as the crew risks their lives for one last job.

The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi is set to be released September 22, 2020!

6. A Song Of Wraiths And Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

Hypable revealed the cover and excerpt to Brown’s fantasy debut, A Song Of Wraiths And Ruin on January 22, 2020!

This Young Adult fantasy, also the first in a duology is “inspired by West African folklore and follows a princess and a refugee as they try to save their families…”

According to the article, Song is “pitched as ‘What if Aladdin and Jasmine had to kill each other?’, Brown also said the book contained themes of inter-generational trauma, mental health in the Black community, the unfair slutshaming of Black girls, and how far each of us is willing to go for the people we love…”

Here’s the full summary:

For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.

But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.

When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a heart-pounding course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?

A Song Of Wraiths And Ruin is set to be released June 2, 2020!

Now a new addition to The Booked Shelf cover reveal posts, there will be a list below ↷ where newer & more recent covers revealed throughout the month will be listed following this post:

Surrender Your Sons by Adam Sass (Via Teen Vogue; Jan. 22, 2020/ Queer YA Contemporary + Thriller)

Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All by Laura Ruby Cover Reveal

On June 18, Laura Ruby (author of Bone Gap) shared through her twitter, the cover for her upcoming historical fiction novel Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All.

According to Goodreads, Thirteen Doorways is pitched as the “unforgettable story of two young women—one living, one dead—dealing with loss, desire, and the fragility of the American dream during WWII…”

The cover was originally shared via Balzer + Bray through twitter on May 24, but the cover Ruby shared is the final design!

Thirteen Doorways, Ruby shared, is “a mystery wrapped up in a fairy tale wrapped up in a historical… “

Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All Official Cover

When Frankie’s mother died and her father left her and her siblings at an orphanage in Chicago, it was supposed to be only temporary—just long enough for him to get back on his feet and be able to provide for them once again. That’s why Frankie’s not prepared for the day that he arrives for his weekend visit with a new woman on his arm and out-of-state train tickets in his pocket.

Now Frankie and her sister, Toni, are abandoned alongside so many other orphans—two young, unwanted women doing everything they can to survive.

And as the embers of the Great Depression are kindled into the fires of World War II, and the shadows of injustice, poverty, and death walk the streets in broad daylight, it will be up to Frankie to find something worth holding on to in the ruins of this shattered America—every minute of every day spent wondering if the life she’s able to carve out will be enough.

I will admit I do not know the answer. But I will be watching, waiting to find out. 

That’s what ghosts do.

Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All is set to be released October 1, 2019!

Like A Love Story by Abdi Nazemian Optioned For Film

On June 10, Deadline announced that Abdi Nazemian’s latest YA Contemporary-Historical Fiction novel, Like A Love Story was optioned for film rights (both TV & Film) by “Sharp Objects creator Marti Noxon and EP Jessica Rhoades.”

According to the full Deadline article both Noxon and Rhoades are planning on serving as producers on the project– which is set to be a film for the big screen.

Additionally, they also plan on having their production companies attached to the project.

“Abdi Nazemian has written a sweet, funny and compelling novel with characters that jump off the page. It’s a wonderful romance that’s also a call to activism, which is no small feat. We’re thrilled to work with the extraordinary Abdi and help bring this captivating story to the screen…”

Noxon and Rhoades Via Deadline

Like A Love Story released June 4, 2019

It’s 1989 in New York City, and for three teens, the world is changing.

Reza is an Iranian boy who has just moved to the city with his mother to live with his stepfather and stepbrother. He’s terrified that someone will guess the truth he can barely acknowledge about himself. Reza knows he’s gay, but all he knows of gay life are the media’s images of men dying of AIDS.

Judy is an aspiring fashion designer who worships her uncle Stephen, a gay man with AIDS who devotes his time to activism as a member of ACT UP. Judy has never imagined finding romance…until she falls for Reza and they start dating.

Art is Judy’s best friend, their school’s only out and proud teen. He’ll never be who his conservative parents want him to be, so he rebels by documenting the AIDS crisis through his photographs.

As Reza and Art grow closer, Reza struggles to find a way out of his deception that won’t break Judy’s heart–and destroy the most meaningful friendship he’s ever known.

Like A Love Story by Abdi Nazemian is out now!