Yearbook

It’s 1996, senior year of high school has just begun, and Lester is at a total loss. His father recently abandoned the family, his mother is more than slightly distracted, and his younger sister, Grace, hides behind her black hoodie and heavy mascara. Lester should be studying and making plans for life after graduation, but instead his mind is on other things. For instance:

• A shaggy-haired first-year English teacher named Jeff

• The rocky beaches of the Pacific Northwest

• A petty tyrant with a pink tie who thinks he runs the school

• Postcards from his father (spoiler alert: they aren’t very friendly)

• The Ramones

• His friend Freesia (who’s applied to 37 colleges)

• Paradise Lost by John Milton

• A man called “Pancake” and a van called “Bluey”

• A renegade yearbook

From bright new talent Jesse Edward Johnson comes this hilarious and moving debut novel about learning to believe in yourself again.

"A highly original account of the thorny, hilarious world of high school."
—Paula Marantz Cohen

"Lester Smith, the unlikely hero of this coming-of age story, captivates even as he infuriates. He’s snarky and smart and will totally break your heart. For fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell, Yearbook is your next favorite read."
—T. Greenwood, author of Where I Lost Her, Two Rivers, and Bodies of Water

"A charming and deeply enjoyable novel."
—Peter Mountford, author of A Young Man’s Guide to Late Capitalism and The Dismal Science

JESSE EDWARD JOHNSON is a writer and artist based in the Pacific Northwest. He has a Ph.D. in English from UCLA, where he taught literature for five years. He has taught at Richard Hugo House in Seattle, and at San Quentin Prison.

Este 1996, anul de liceu tocmai a inceput, iar Lester are o pierdere totala. Tatal sau a abandonat recent familia, mama sa este mai mult decat usor distrasa, iar sora lui mai mica, Grace, se ascunde in spatele ei cu gluga neagra si mascara grea.