Too Shattered for Mending

Gavin “Little” McCardell attempts to navigate life in his small Idaho town, but it’s not easy with his dysfunctional family, learning disability, and crush on his imprisoned older brother’s girlfriend, Rowan. It seems as though everyone in town has secrets, including why his grandfather, the infamous Big McCardell, has vanished, and why the cops are so interested in his disappearance. When the sheriff starts blackmailing Little, he has no choice but to seek out his wayward relative, and the answers he uncovers aren’t what anyone expects. Meanwhile, Little grows closer to his classmate Zaylie, only to discover she has her own struggles, and Rowan seems hell-bent on self-destruction. In this gritty, complicated drama, Hoffmeister (This Is the Part Where You Laugh) draws out the harsh realities of living on the edge, and of attempting to stay afloat when things get messy. His characters are complex and authentic, and his subtle, stripped-down writing changes the narrative in startling ways as the story unfolds and more details come to light. Ages 14–up. Agent: Adriann Ranta, Foundry Literary + Media. (Sept.)