MEAN

In Justin Sayre's third coming-of-age novel, Ellen discovers why it matters to be true to oneself, no matter what people might say or think about her.

Set in the same world and within the same circle of friends as Justin Sayre's previous books, Husky and Pretty, Mean explores the private and public life of Ellen, who is confident, cool, and, according to Davis, mean. But if speaking the truth and being unconcerned with petty gossip makes you mean, Ellen is fine with that. Besides, she has her own issues to deal with as middle school becomes a virtual battlefield of pubescent zombies, not unlike the obstacles in the video games she loves to play. Escaping into the world of online video games provides only temporary relief. In time she learns that being honest, even when it hurts, is the only weapon she can truly rely on.

Justin Sayre is a writer and performer, appearing regularly in New York City and Los Angeles. His debut novel, Husky was deemed "a superb addition to the middle grade literary cannon" by VOYA Magazine and called "[a] moving journey of self-discovery . . ." by Publishers Weekly. In addition to being an author of books for young readers, Sayre is a television writer for 2 Broke Girls and appeared in Lisa Kudrow's The Comeback.