Late to the Party

Codi loves the comfort of hanging with her oldest friends, but she’s increasingly frustrated that they don’t seem to see that she’s changing—or at least wants to. In Atlanta, pals Codi, Maritza, and JaKory are all queer and have never kissed anyone. Now that they’re 17, Jakory and Maritza want more experiences and some romance in their lives, even though they don’t know how to make it happen. When Codi refuses to attend a party, they think she’s not interested in making changes. But she starts hanging out with a senior who’s struggling with his sexual identity, which leads her to a new circle and a girl she likes. She doesn’t know how to stay friends with both groups, and before she knows it, she’s lying to her old friends. Quindlen (Her Name in the Sky) deftly conveys both the awkwardness of outgrowing an old life without having a clue how to move toward a new one, and the difficult work of being true to oneself and honest with those one cares about. Ages 12–up. Agent: Marietta B. Zacker, Gallt & Zacker Literary. (Apr.)