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Optimists Die First
Optimists Die First
Author: Susin Nielsen
Award-winning author Susin Nielsen has written a laugh-out-loud and heartrending novel for fans of Robyn Schneider?s Extraordinary Means and Cammie McGovern?s Say What You Will. —   — Beware: Life ahead. —   — Sixteen-year-old Petula de Wilde is anything but wild. A former crafting fiend with a happy life, Petula shut herself off from the world afte...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780553496901
ISBN-10: 0553496905
Publication Date: 2/21/2017
Pages: 240
Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1

5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review
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jjares avatar reviewed Optimists Die First on + 3270 more book reviews
As a non-optimist, I was really encouraged by the title of this book. In fact, that's what caused me to read it; I was hoping the author would tell me what I was going to get for being one of the last to die. Unfortunately, Petula has her own problems and couldn't console me about mine. Maybe next time.

Actually, as a licensed professional counselor, I'm always on the lookout for a book with themes that help youngsters address the issues they are facing. Boy does this book fill the bill. The kids in yart (art class for students needing help with emotional conditions) are a really mixed bag and their discussions and feelings will meet the needs of many students.

Here's a sampling:
* Alonzo was thrown out of his home because he came out to his parents (Alonzo is gay).
* Koula has a problem staying sober and off drugs. She's burned all her bridges with her family and friends.
* Ivan's mom drowned and Ivan thinks it was his fault. He wasn't allowed to go to the funeral.
* Petula, a dyed-in-the-wool crafter, made her young sister a wolf suit. The baby sucked on a button on the suit and choked and died.
jjares avatar reviewed Optimists Die First on + 3270 more book reviews
As a non-optimist, I was really encouraged by the title of this book. In fact, that's what caused me to read it; I was hoping the author would tell me what I was going to get for being one of the last to die. Unfortunately, Petula has her own problems and couldn't console me about mine. Maybe next time.

Actually, as a licensed professional counselor, I'm always on the lookout for a book with themes that help youngsters address the issues they are facing. Boy does this book fill the bill. The kids in yart (art class for students needing help with emotional conditions) are a really mixed bag and their discussions and feelings will meet the needs of many students.

Here's a sampling:
* Alonzo was thrown out of his home because he came out to his parents (Alonzo is gay).
* Koula has a problem staying sober and off drugs. She's burned all her bridges with her family and friends.
* Ivan's mom drowned and Ivan thinks it was his fault. He wasn't allowed to go to the funeral.
* Petula, a dyed-in-the-wool crafter, made her young sister a wolf suit. The baby sucked on a button on the suit and choked and died.


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