Real Deal

An absolute treasure. Vibrant, charming, and absolutely real.Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author of Operation SisterhoodTwo best friends discover the danger and power of secrets in this pitch perfect standalone from the acclaimed author of Just Like Jackie and Brave Like That.Not every friendship can be the real deal, but for Gabe and Oliver, thats never been a question.Until now. Things still feel the same on the surfacetheyre even making a comic about their friendshipbut lately Olivers acting like he might be hiding something.And then theres Reuben, the new boy who just moved to town. He doesnt talknot ever. The other kids say mean things and call him names behind his back. Gabe knows it isnt rightbut he and Oliver stay quiet, or worse, laugh along with the others just to keep from standing out.Through the character he and Oliver create in their comic adventure, the experience they have babysitting twin toddlers, and with the help of a troublemaking seventh grader who gets sent to their sixth-grade class, Gabe begins to find his voice and become the realest-deal version of his own self. But if he does thatcan he still hold onto his best friend, too?Perfect for fans of Lisa Graff and Linda Mullaly Hunt, this novel from Lindsey Stoddard, whose stories were lauded as remarkable by theNew York Times Book Review, will have fans new and old hooked.