Teen Tuesday: The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle

The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle. 288 p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, March, 2016. 9781481404099. (Purchased.)

Our Teen Tuesday feature is Tim Federle's YA debut, The Great American Whatever. Quinn Roberts is nearly seventeen-years-old and should be having the time of his life. Instead, he has holed himself up in his room for the last six months - ever since his sister, Annabeth died in a car accident. The two were best friends and film collaborators and grief is nearly consuming Quinn. His mother isn't helping at all as she is equally paralyzed by grief. It is up to Quinn's best friend, Geoff to literally drag Quinn out of his house. He got Quinn a haircut and some clean clothes and brought him to a college party where Quinn meets Amir. The Great American Whatever is a great read for mature teens who like hilarious with a side of sad. Quinn is a memorable character who is as endearing as he is infuriating.