ALTHEA AND OLIVER

A debut that is whip-smart, literary, and commercial -- perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell, John Green, and hip adult fiction (think McSweeney's).

Spring 1996. Althea Carter and Oliver McKinley have been best friends since first grade, living on the same block in Wilmington, North Carolina. They look like siblings, but inside they are entirely different; she’s a solitary, artistic instigator, whereas he’s into science and friends with everyone. Now they’re juniors, developing romantic feelings for each other – and things go off the rails. Oliver contracts Kleine-Levin Syndrome, also known as “Sleeping Beauty Syndrome”; he falls into extended sleep for weeks, even months.

And even when he wakes in the middle of an episode, it is not him; it is completely primal, no filters. And that shatters his and Althea’s friendship. Before they can talk about it, Mrs. McKinley enrolls him in a special hospital study in Manhattan. He goes without telling Althea. She follows him, and the surprising conclusion to their lifelong story will completely satisfy readers.

Cristina Moracho’ debut has a remarkable, inventive voice that veers very close to adult.