John Corey Whaley

Where Things Come Back John Corey Whaley

Brief Description: Seventeen-year-old Cullen's summer in Lily, Arkansas, is marked by his cousin's death by overdose, an alleged spotting of a woodpecker thought to be extinct, failed romances, and his younger brother's sudden disappearance. Biographical Note: John Corey Whaley grew up in a small southern town. He has a BA from Louisiana Tech University and an MA in secondary English education. Where Things Come Back "is his first novel. Review Quotes: In this darkly humorous debut, Whaley weaves two stories into a taut and well-constructed thriller Vulnerability balances Cullen's arch sarcasm, and the maelstrom of media attention lavished on the woodpecker offers an element of the absurd, especially when juxtaposed against the mystery of Gabriel's disappearance. The portentous tone and flat affect of Whaley's writing is well-suited to the story's religious themes and symbolism as Whaley gradually brings the story's many threads together in a disturbing, heartbreaking finale that retains a touch of hope. --"Publishers Weekly", April 11, 2011, *STARReview Quotes: In a build-up that explores the process of grief, second chances and even the meaning of life, Cullen s and Cabot s worlds slowly intersect and solve the mystery of Gabriel s disappearance in this multilayered debut for sophisticated readers. Unexpected, thought-provoking storytelling. --"Kirkus, " April 15, 2011Review Quotes: The characters reactions are palpable as their grief deepens and yet they continue to hope for Gabriel s return. Cullen is an eloquent, thoughtful narrator the ending is worth the wait. --"School Library Journal, " July 2011Review Quotes: What will hold readers most is the moving story of Cullen s beloved younger brother, who suddenly goes missing, leading to mystery, heartbreak, and an astonishing resolution on the very last page An intriguing, memorable offering teens will want to discuss. --"Booklist, "May 2011Review Quotes: "Every now and then a book rises to the top. "Where Things Come Back" soars. Keep your eye on author Corey Whaley. That is, if you can see the stratosphere."--Ellen Hopkins, New York Times bestselling author of the Crank TrilogyBrief Description: Original publication and copyright date: 2011. Review Quotes: "The author has managed to capture his characters feelings of loss and despair with both compassion and empathy. The plot is extremely well thought out and encompasses the tangle of teenage relationships, friendships, and life experiences using humor and thoughtful language...authentic, small-town teenagers; and the main protagonist, Cullen, is well-developed and convincing. An unexpected ending brings about a moving close to the novel." --"VOYA, "June 2011Review Quotes: [A] smart, darkly funny, and multilayered debut . Whaley weaves numerous story lines and themes together with the confidence of a seasoned writer, resulting in a thought-provoking story about media, faith, and family. --"Publishers Weekly, "November 7, 2011, a "Best Books of 2011" selectionReview Quotes: "In this darkly humorous debut, Whaley weaves two stories into a taut and well-constructed thriller... Vulnerability balances Cullen's arch sarcasm, and the maelstrom of media attention lavished on the woodpecker offers an element of the absurd, especially when juxtaposed against the mystery of Gabriel's disappearance. The portentous tone and flat affect of Whaley's writing is well-suited to the story's religious themes and symbolism... as Whaley gradually brings the story's many threads together in a disturbing, heartbreaking finale that retains a touch of hope." --"Publishers Weekly," April 11, 2011, *STARReview Quotes: "The characters' reactions are palpable as their grief deepens and yet they continue to hope for Gabriel's return. Cullen is an eloquent, thoughtful narrator...the ending is worth the wait." --"School Library Journal, " July 2011Review Quotes: "The author has managed to capture his characters' feelings of loss and despair with both compassion and empathy. The plot is extremely well thought out and encompasses the tangle of teenage relationships, friendships, and life experiences using humor and thoughtful language...authentic, small-town teenagers; and the main protagonist, Cullen, is well-developed and convincing. An unexpected ending brings about a moving close to the novel." --"VOYA, "June 2011Review Quotes: "[A] smart, darkly funny, and multilayered debut.... Whaley weaves numerous story lines and themes together with the confidence of a seasoned writer, resulting in a thought-provoking story about media, faith, and family." --"Publishers Weekly, "November 7, 2011, a "Best Books of 2011" selectionMarc Notes: Manufactured in the United States of America--Title page verso.; Seventeen-year-old Cullen's summer in Lily, Arkansas, is marked by his cousin's death by overdose, an alleged spotting of a woodpecker thought to be extinct, failed romances, and his younger brother's sudden disappearance.; In the remarkable, bizarre, and heart-wrenching summer before Cullen Witter's senior year of high school, he is forced to examine everything he thinks he understands about his small and painfully dull Arkansas town. His cousin overdoses; his town becomes absurdly obsessed with the alleged reappearance of an extinct woodpecker; and most troubling of all, his sensitive, gifted fifteen-year-old brother, Gabriel, suddenly and inexplicably disappears. Meanwhile, the crisis of faith spawned by a young missionary's disillusion in Africa prompts a frantic search for meaning that has far-reaching consequences. As distant as the two stories initially seem, they are woven together through masterful plotting and merge in a surprising and harrowing climax. This extraordinary tale from a rare literary voice finds wonder in the ordinary and illuminates the hope of second chances.--Publisher's description.; 1; Ages 14 up.; Young Adult; William C. Morris Debut Award, 2012; Michael L. Printz Honor for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, 2012. Review Quotes: "In a build-up that explores the process of grief, second chances and even the meaning of life, Cullen's and Cabot's worlds slowly intersect and solve the mystery of Gabriel's disappearance in this multilayered debut for sophisticated readers. Unexpected, thought-provoking storytelling." --"Kirkus, " April 15, 2011Review Quotes: "What will hold readers most is the moving story of Cullen's beloved younger brother, who suddenly goes missing, leading to mystery, heartbreak, and an astonishing resolution on the very last page... An intriguing, memorable offering teens will want to discuss." --"Booklist, "May 2011Publisher Marketing: Winner of the 2012 Michael L. Printz and William C. Morris Awards, this poignant and hilarious story of loss and redemption "explores the process of grief, second chances, and even the meaning of life" ("Kirkus Reviews"). In the remarkable, bizarre, and heart-wrenching summer before Cullen Witter's senior year of high school, he is forced to examine everything he thinks he understands about his small and painfully dull Arkansas town. His cousin overdoses; his town becomes absurdly obsessed with the alleged reappearance of an extinct woodpecker; and most troubling of all, his sensitive, gifted fifteen-year-old brother, Gabriel, suddenly and inexplicably disappears. Meanwhile, the crisis of faith spawned by a young missionary's disillusion in Africa prompts a frantic search for meaning that has far-reaching consequences. As distant as the two stories initially seem, they are woven together through masterful plotting and merge in a surprising and harrowing climax. This extraordinary tale from a rare literary voice finds wonder in the ordinary and illuminates the hope of second chances. Review Citations:

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 05/01/2011 (EAN 9781442413337, Hardcover)

Publishers Weekly 04/11/2011 (EAN 9781442413337, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2011 (EAN 9781442413337, Hardcover)

Voice of Youth Advocates 06/01/2011 (EAN 9781442413337, Hardcover)

School Library Journal 07/01/2011 pg. 110 (EAN 9781442413337, Hardcover)

Booklist 07/01/2011 pg. 56 (EAN 9781442413337, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2011 (EAN 9781442413337, Hardcover)

Publishers Weekly Best Books 11/07/2011 pg. 42 (EAN 9781442413337, Hardcover)

New York Times Book Review 08/26/2012 pg. 28 (EAN 9781442413344, Paperback)

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 05/01/2011 (EAN 9781442413351, Open Ebook)

Contributor Bio:  Whaley, John Corey John Corey Whaley grew up in Louisiana. His debut novel, "Where Things Come Back, "was the 2012 winner of the Michael L. Printz and the William C. Morris Awards. You can learn more about him at JohnCoreyWhaley.com and follow him on Twitter: @Corey_Whaley.