How We Roll - by Natasha Friend (Paperback)

About the Book

An unexpected love story between a teen with alopecia areata and a football star who loses his legs after a freak accident.

Book Synopsis

A gentle young adult romance for fans of Sarah Dessen about two teens, each of whom has lost something irreplaceable, finding one another.

Quinn is a teen who loves her family, skateboarding, basketball, and her friends, but after she's diagnosed with a condition called alopecia which causes her to lose all of her hair, her friends abandon her. Jake was once a star football player, but because of a freak accident--caused by his brother--he loses both of his legs. Quinn and Jake meet and find the confidence to believe in themselves again, and maybe even love.

Praise for How We Roll:

Friend has crafted a heartwarming story that tackles some heavy issues. It will appeal to teens who enjoyed The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen, Paper Things by Jennifer Richard Jacobson, or The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. A strong choice for all YA shelves. --School Library Journal, starred review

"In a story about the challenges of being different and the difficulty in learning to trust, Friend (The Other F Word) shows great sensitivity in depicting differently abled characters. Small acts of kindness balance the cruelty Quinn has suffered, and the message that single characteristics don't define who people are, invites contemplation." --Publishers Weekly

Review Quotes

"As Quinn and Nick's prickly relationship deepens, so do their characters; Friend's. . .attention to physical and emotional detail brings readers into their anxious, itchy skins as both learn to trust and forgive. Frank discussions of phantom pain and post-traumatic stress add nuance to Nick's bitterness. Alopecia support chats provide insight into Quinn's sense of isolation, worsened by Julius' demands on her parents . . . an unusual, uplifting take on self-discovery and starting over." --Kirkus Reviews

The novel sheds light on unusual but important issues and the effects they have on families. Quinn's fear and Nick's anger are equally genuine and moving. Friend cleverly finds the sweet spot in both characters to help them gain confidence and understanding in a world that neither believes cares about them. --Booklist

Friend does a great job of unpacking Quinn and Nick's emotional complexities, while also conveying the physical issues of both characters' losses. . .Although both Quinn and Nick have bodies that are different from most other teens their age, this story is first about friendship and compassion, resulting in a sweet romance between two ninth graders who are learning about forgiveness and trying to trust other people again. Fans of problem novels who do not want a too-heavy-handed story will appreciate this sweet, unique story. --VOYA

About the Author

Natasha Friend is the award-winning author of Where You'll Find Me, Perfect, Lush, Bounce, For Keeps, My Life in Black and White, and The Other F-Word. She lives in Madison, Connecticut, with her family