Surprises await a clever Black French Canadian teen when he’s forced to attend high school in Austin, Texas, in this hilarious contemporary YA novel.

William C. Morris YA Debut Award Winner!

“A witty debut with whip-smart dialogue that will find much love among fans of authors like John Green and Jason Reynolds.” —SLJ (starred review)

Meet Norris Kaplan. As a Black French Canadian who has been recently plunked into Austin, Texas, he is not happy. Norris’s superpower has always been the ability to wield a sharp comeback and keep people at a safe distance. He’ll do just his time there until he can finally go back home.

Having grown up on a steady diet of American TV, Norris knows just what to expect when he starts at a prototypical American high school. Sure enough, he soon encounters:

Aarti, the Manic Pixie Dream Girl: Preys on sexually inexperienced, awkward teen boys.

Madison, the Beta Cheerleader: In the middle of cheerleading pyramid. “Good listener.”

Liam, the Loner: Sad eyes. Headphones not necessarily playing anything.

Hairy Armpits, the Bully: Improperly groomed linebacker. Missing Link understudy.

Against all odds, though, he finds himself with a love interest, a new potential best friend, and what appears to be a budding ice hockey team. Will he give in and start living his life and maybe even (groan) enjoy it? Or will he blow it all by being . . . well, Norris?

“With a perfect balance of snark, keen observation, and wry humor, Ben Phillippe has given us the brilliant Norris Kaplan—by far, the funniest, wittiest, smartest character I've ever read!” —Ibi Zoboi, author of American Street