Books with author Sarah Comes

“Beautifully drawn characters populate this affecting first novel, each of them real enough to be hug-worthy. . . . There is much to be savored in this book for those who want a story about real life and real friendship.” — BooklistWhen Gloria sets out to spend the summer before her senior year at “geek camp,” she doesn’t know quite what to expect. She resolves to make the best of her new circumstances, but some things are proving more challenging than she expected. Like the mysterious clues left by a certain Professor X before he even shows up to teach his class. Or the sweet but conservative roommate whose coal-industry family champions mountaintop removal. Not to mention the obnoxious Mason, who immediately gets on Gloria’s nerves — but somehow won’t leave her thoughts. Beautifully told by debut author Sarah Combs, this honest and touching story of growing up is imbued with the serene atmosphere of the Kentucky landscape.

A coming-of-age debut evokes the bittersweet joys and pangs of finding independence in one unforgettable summer away at "geek camp." When Gloria sets out to spend the summer before her senior year at a camp for gifted and talented students, she doesn’t know quite what to expect. Fresh from the heartache of losing her grandmother and missing her best friend, Gloria resolves to make the best of her new circumstances. But some things are proving to be more challenging than she expected. Like the series of mysterious clues left by a certain Professor X before he even shows up to teach his class, Secrets of the Written Word. Or the very sweet, but very conservative, roommate whose coal-industry family champions mountaintop removal. Not to mention the obnoxious Mason, who dresses like the Mad Hatter and immediately gets on Gloria’s nerves — but somehow won’t escape her thoughts. Beautifully told by debut author Sarah Combs, this honest and touching story of growing up is imbued with the serene atmosphere of Kentucky’s natural landscape.

Seven tightly interwoven narratives. Three harrowing hours. One fateful day that changes everything. Delaware, the morning of April 19. Senior Skip Day, and April Donovan’s eighteenth birthday. Four days after the Boston Marathon bombing, the country is still reeling, and April’s rare memory condition has her recounting all the tragedies that have cursed her birth month. And just what was that mysterious gathering under the bleachers about? Meanwhile, in Nebraska, Lincoln Evans struggles to pay attention in Honors English, distracted by the enigmatic presence of Laura Echols, capturer of his heart. His teacher tries to hold her class’s interest, but she can’t keep her mind off what Adrian George told her earlier. Over in Idaho, Phoebe is having second thoughts about the Plan mere hours before the start of a cross-country ploy led by an Internet savant known as the Mastermind. Is all her heartache worth the cost of the Assassins’ machinations? The Light Fantastic is a tense, shocking, and beautifully wrought exploration of the pain and pathos of a generation of teenagers on the brink—and the hope of moving from shame and isolation into the light of redemption.

Seven tightly interwoven narratives. Three harrowing hours. One fateful day that changes everything. Delaware, the morning of April 19. Senior Skip Day, and April Donovan’s eighteenth birthday. Four days after the Boston Marathon bombing, the country is still reeling, and April’s rare memory condition has her recounting all the tragedies that have cursed her birth month. And just what was that mysterious gathering under the bleachers about? Meanwhile, in Nebraska, Lincoln Evans struggles to pay attention in Honors English, distracted by the enigmatic presence of Laura Echols, capturer of his heart. His teacher tries to hold her class’s interest, but she can’t keep her mind off what Adrian George told her earlier. Over in Idaho, Phoebe is having second thoughts about the Plan mere hours before the start of a cross-country ploy led by an Internet savant known as the Mastermind. Is all her heartache worth the cost of the Assassins’ machinations? The Light Fantastic is a tense, shocking, and beautifully wrought exploration of the pain and pathos of a generation of teenagers on the brink—and the hope of moving from shame and isolation into the light of redemption.

After losing her beloved grandpa Charlie to cancer, fourteen-year-old Alden Proctor moves from New York City to Michigan when her mother takes a job to save the Pantages Theatre, an old Vaudeville house fated to be demolished. Few people recall the theatre’s prior existence. Well, few living people at least. But that’s all about to change. Overweight, self-conscious, and sick of being bullied by skinny haters in Manhattan, Alden hopes Michigan will be a new beginning for her. But, shortly after her arrival, a neighborhood boy named Raccoon makes fun of her weight. Alden finds solace and a home in the theatre after befriending Walter, the old caretaker, and Julie, a tap-dancing theatre kid.But the Pantages has a secret, and Alden unknowingly stumbles upon it. Someone, or something doesn’t want the theatre to reopen. Alden becomes a target, and she could be in danger. But Alden refuses to give up her newfound home. She’s going to fight against that someone—whether they are of this world or the next.

A coming-of-age debut evokes the bittersweet joys and pangs of finding independence in one unforgettable summer away at "geek camp." When Gloria sets out to spend the summer before her senior year at a camp for gifted and talented students, she doesn’t know quite what to expect. Fresh from the heartache of losing her grandmother and missing her best friend, Gloria resolves to make the best of her new circumstances. But some things are proving to be more challenging than she expected. Like the series of mysterious clues left by a certain Professor X before he even shows up to teach his class, Secrets of the Written Word. Or the very sweet, but very conservative, roommate whose coal-industry family champions mountaintop removal. Not to mention the obnoxious Mason, who dresses like the Mad Hatter and immediately gets on Gloria’s nerves — but somehow won’t escape her thoughts. Beautifully told by debut author Sarah Combs, this honest and touching story of growing up is imbued with the serene atmosphere of Kentucky’s natural landscape.