LOSERS BRACKET

When a family argument turns into a hunt for a missing child, seventeen-year-old Annie must do everything in her power to get the boy back — and as far away from her dysfunctional family as possible. From acclaimed and bestselling author Chris Crutcher, this provocative and compelling novel about loyalty and family is for fans of John Corey Whaley, Jason Reynolds, and Matt de la Pena.

When it comes to family, Annie is in the losers bracket. Do not get her wrong, her foster parents are great, even if Pop is a little too concerned about Annie getting an athletic scholarship. But Nancy, her birth mom, and her sister, Sheila, are...less than ideal. And no matter how hard Annie tries to stay away from them, she always gets sucked back in to their lives and their messes. She tells herself she is doing it for Sheila's son, Frankie, but she knows her issues with her birth family are more deeply rooted.

Then a family argument at one of Annie's swim meets escalates and Frankie goes missing. Annie cannot help but think that Frankie's disappearance is her fault. With help from her new boyfriend Tim and her social service worker, Annie searches desperately for her missing nephew, determined to find him and finally get him in a safe home.

Annie's story is quintessential Crutcher, in turn gripping, heart-breaking, hopeful, and unflinchingly honest, and will appeal to readers of Matt de la Pena and Andrew Smith.

Chris Crutcher is the critically acclaimed author of eleven novels, an autobiography, and two collections of short stories. His most recent book is Period 8. He has won three lifetime achievement awards for the body of his work: the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Outstanding Literature for Young Adults, the ALAN Award for a Significant Contribution to Adolescent Literature, and the NCTE National Intellectual Freedom Award. He has been a child and family therapist with the Spokane Community Mental Health Center. He lives in Spokane, Washington.