{"product_id":"okay-for-now-a-national-book-award-winner","title":"Okay for Now: A National Book Award Winner by Gary D. Schmidt","description":"\u003cp\u003eBeloved author Gary D. Schmidt expertly blends comedy and tragedy in the story of Doug Swieteck, an unhappy \"teenage thug\" first introduced in \u003cem\u003eThe Wednesday Wars, \u003c\/em\u003e who finds consolation and a sense of possibility in friendship and art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt once heartbreaking and hopeful, this absorbing novel centers on Doug, 14, who has an abusive father, a bully for a brother, a bad reputation, and shameful secrets to keep. Teachers and police and his relatives think he's worthless, and he believes them, holding others at arm's length. Newly arrived in town, he starts out on the same path--antagonizing other kids, mouthing off to teachers, contemptuous of everything intimidating or unfamiliar. Who would have thought that the public library would turn out to be a refuge and an inspiration, that a snooty librarian might be a friend, or that snarky redheaded Lil would like him--really like him? With more than his share of pain, including the return of his oldest brother from the Vietnam War, shattered and angry, will Doug find anything better than \"okay for now\"?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"This is Schmidt's best novel yet--darker than \u003cem\u003eThe Wednesday Wars \u003c\/em\u003eand written with more restraint, but with the same expert attention to voice, character and big ideas.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Reproductions of Audubon plates introduce each chapter in this stealthily powerful, unexpectedly affirming story of discovering and rescuing one's best self, despite family pressure to do otherwise.\" \u003cb\u003e- \u003ci\u003eBooklist (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Readers will miss Doug and his world when they're done, and will feel richer for having experienced his engaging, tough, and endearing story.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeloved author \u003cstrong\u003eGary D. Schmidt\u003c\/strong\u003e expertly blends comedy and tragedy in the story of Doug Swieteck, an unhappy \"teenage thug\" first introduced in The Wednesday Wars, who finds consolation and a sense of possibility in friendship and art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Harper Collins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45910197174458,"sku":"9780544022805","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0444\/2213\/5968\/files\/imageloader_61f4f87b-2cb9-47bc-8e47-b5e15dd3e707.jpg?v=1779460187","url":"https:\/\/naturenurture.shop\/products\/okay-for-now-a-national-book-award-winner","provider":"nature+nurture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}