The Half-Orphan's Handbook

The Half-Orphan's Handbook is a deeply emotional YA contemporary that discusses grief, guilt, and loss with an edge of humor to lighten it up. Add in a camp setting and friendship, and you've got a incredibly well written story that covers some heavy topics. That said, you definitely need to be in t......more

"I can’t think of a one-word antonym for liar. Maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be, because there’s more than one way to tell the truth." Read the full review here on my blog! The Half-Orphan’s Handbook was such a beautiful, heartfelt and nuanced debut! I truly appreciated the writing style and b......more

I was lucky to read an early copy of this book and it is a masterpiece. Beautiful characters face the true and tough realities of the world and life. Joan F. Smith gives teens a book that merges humor with grief and the tools to find hope while reconciling the unanswerable. Stunning.......more

My Author Mentor Match mentee. <3 This book is beautiful. You're not even ready.......more

"It’s been three months since Lila lost her father to suicide. Since then, she’s learned to protect herself from pain by following two unbreakable rules: 1. The only people who can truly hurt you are the ones you love. Therefore, love no one. 2. Stay away from liars. Liars are the worst." Like I said I......more