Mosquitoland

Description: A story of the difficulties we face and the strength we find to overcome them. For those who loved LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, and JUNO. When her parents unexpectedly divorce, Mim Malone is dragged from her beloved home in Ohio to the 'wastelands' of Mississippi, where she lives in a haze of medication with her dad and new (almost certainly evil) stepmom. But when Mim learns her real mother is ill back home, she escapes her new life and embarks on a rescue mission aboard a Greyhound bus, meeting an assortment of quirky characters along the way. And when her thousand-mile journey takes a few turns she could never see coming, Mim must confront her own demons, redefining her notions of love, loyalty, and what it means to be sane.

Review: Mim is possibly one of the mostly lovable YA characters I've ever had the pleasure of reading... Definitely one of the best YA novels of 2015 * The Tattoed Book * A stunning debut... mesmerizing * Kirkus Reviews * Memorable * People * A breath of fresh air... [a novel that] bucks the usual classifications and stands defiantly alone * Entertainment Weekly * [A] captivating first novel... illuminating * Washington Post * [A] sparkling, startling, laugh-out-loud debut novel * Wall Street Journal * There is no shortage of humor in Mim's musings, interspersed with tender scenes and a few heart-pounding surprises. Mim's triumphant evolution is well worth the journey * Publishers Weekly * At times heartwarming, heartbreaking and hilarious, but always maintaining a distinctly innocent brilliance * USA Today * Fresh and often very endearing * Sunday Herald * Invigorating and humourous... At last a Kerouacian adventure for teenage girls * Independent * [Mim's] endless wise-cracking (on a road trip by Greyhound bus to visit her sick mother) is a joy * Independent - Best YA novels of 2015 * [Mosquitoland] boasts a funny, gutsy, straight-talking heroine with a distinctive voice, whose company is a blast of fresh air * Daily Mail *
Author Biography: David Arnold lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with his (lovely) wife and (boisterous) son. Previous jobs include freelance musician/producer, stay-at-home dad, and preschool teacher. He is a fierce believer in the power of kindness and community. And chips. He believes fiercely in chips. Mosquitoland is his first novel. You can learn more at davidarnoldbooks.com and follow him on Twitter @roofbeam.