When his mother's unstable mental health forces him to find shelter with an uncle he didn't know he had, fiercely independent nonconformist Quagmire must recalibrate his formidable survival skills to build a new life. - (Baker & Taylor)

When his mother’s unstable mental health forces him to find shelter with an uncle he didn’t know he had, fiercely independent nonconformist Quagmire must recalibrate his formidable survival skills to build a new life. Simultaneous eBook. - (Baker & Taylor)

Wry humor and sharp insight capture the distinctive voice of a young teen forced by his mother’s unstable mental health to recalibrate his outlook and build a new life with found family. For fans of Gary D. Schmidt and Rebecca Stead.

A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK * A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK * FIVE STARRED REVIEWS!

Quagmire Tiarello prides himself on not needing anything from anybody. Sure, his mom is skipping work again and showing signs of going into one of her full-out spins, but it’s nothing he can’t handle. He’s used to her up-and-down moods, even if this time it feels a little different.

Then his mom disappears, and Quag must find shelter with an uncle he didn't know he had. Should he come clean about his mother’s mental health challenges? Or can he use his carefully honed skills to bluff long enough to find his mom and get home? Readers will root for Quag as he finds himself rethinking his world and learning to accept help from the people who love him.

Booklist Reviews

*Starred Review* Quentin, known as Quagmire since grade school, needs to step up his game. His mom, who suffers from undiagnosed mental illness, is heading into a full-blown emotional spin and his current level of caretaking and question-dodging isn't going to cut it this time. When his mom takes him on a crazy road trip from New York into the Midwest and then abandons him, he must use his wits to survive. Discovering a heretofore unknown uncle, he moves in with him and begins to let go of his reins of control, realizing that it's OK to be 14 and not 40, as he opens up to a different kind of life. The author cleverly juxtaposes portraits of absurd bird behaviors with Quagmire's unfortunate yet comically told existence, illustrating the lengths all creatures go to to survive. This amazing story is told with deep understanding and touched with a humor forged through pain, delivering an exceptional experience that avoids maudlin stereotypes and instead captures emotions and situations with succinct sincerity; not a word is wasted. Perfect for middle-grade readers, especially those who gravitate towards books by Gary D. Schmidt, Daniel Nayeri, and Erin Bow. Buy it, read it, talk about it, and share the love by passing it on. Grades 5-8. Copyright 2024 Booklist Reviews.