Beware the Smart Kids

By: Matthew J. Kushin

Narrated by: Dean Vince

The Perks of Being a Wallflower meets Good Will Hunting in this beautiful coming-of-age tale about loss, self-acceptance, and learning to be happy again. Perfect for fans of Jeff Zentner, John Green, and Steven Chbosky. Also loved by fans of Tuesdays with Morrie, this intergenerational mentorship story brings a message of hope to readers of all ages at a time when we need it most.

Nolan's senior year is shaping up to be just another struggle with anxiety, authority, and awkwardness. Then he meets Mr. Barno—a mysterious ex-convict feared by everyone, including the popular girl he dreams of asking to Homecoming, his overbearing parents, and even his eccentric best friends. Nolan is afraid, too—until he uncovers something extraordinary about his unlikely mentor that changes everything he thought he knew about himself and his small-town high school.

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Critic reviews

"Through mysteries untangled, shared heartbreak, and ultimately, redemption, you'll laugh and cry though the pages of this beautiful story." — author Annie James Thomas

My heart is full. Love, friendship, loss, connection, and hope.

Wow. Exceeded expectations. A beautiful redemption story that brought a flood of emotions, from joy to sorrow, to laughter to nostalgia for high school days. Fell in love with several characters, some of whom broke my heart while others put me back together. Missing siblings. Parents keeping secrets. A disgraced teacher. Loners and the lonely and misunderstood popular kid. Teenage antics. A town divided. One of my favorite lines from the book is: "Most miracles get overlooked." Don’t overlook this little miracle, give it a listen, you won't regret it.