Piper Perish - by Kayla Cagan (Hardcover)

About the Book

Piper Perish and her two friends Kit and Enzo have long planned on getting out of Houston and going to art school in New York City together, but halfway through their senior year Enzo breaks up with her at a dance in the most public, spectacular, and embarrassing manner possible--and suddenly Piper's faced with a series of life and relationship-changing events that threaten her dream.

Book Synopsis

"There may not be another book published ... that is more perfect for artistic [readers] who love stability yet crave adventure." --Teen Vogue

Debut author Kayla Cagan breathes new life into fiction in this dynamic, authentic book. Warhol-obsessed Piper will have readers asking big questions along with her. What is love? What is friendship? What is family? What should I wear?

Piper Perish inhales air and exhales art. The sooner she and her best friends can get out of Houston and get to New York City, the better. Art school has been Piper's dream forever, and now that senior year is halfway over, she's never felt more ready. But in the final months before graduation, things are weird with her friends and stressful with three different guys, and Piper's sister's tyranny thwarts every attempt at happiness for the Perish family. Piper's art just might be enough to get her out. But is she brave enough to seize that power when it means giving up so much?

Review Quotes

"A character readers will remember."-Kirkus Reviews

"A great read for creative adults or teenagers who are on the precipice of becoming who they're meant to be."--Read it Forward

"A love-letter to the artistic life, filled with glamour, passion, hunger and heartbreak." - author, graphic novelist, and two-time Eisner Award Winner Hope Larson

"A smart, complicated, emotionally mature, coming-of-age story that leaps off the page and reminds you why you ever dared to dream. Bonus points for every Houston shout-out." -Pamela Ribon, bestselling author of Notes to Boys: And Other Things I Shouldn't Share in Public

"After reading Piper Perish I want to start my own handwritten, doodle-filled journal full of creativity, dreams, and adventures. This book captured that excitement I felt when I was a young artist full of hope tackling a big city. If a book could be my BFF, it would be this one." -Bonnie Burton, author of Crafting with Feminism and Girls Against Girls

"Cagan tells Piper's story with amazing authenticity. soulful reading for any artistic teen with a dream."-Booklist, starred review

"Candid and thoughtful; readers will be sad to let go of Piper but eager to see what Cagan does next."-Publishers Weekly

"Get ready for all the feels! Urgent, funny, and achingly real, Piper Perish will pull you into her artsy, messy, and love-rich world on the first page and hold you tight until the very end. The voice is so fresh and intimate you'll swear you've known Piper your whole life. I read this book on a tear and when I finished-breathless and teary and hopeful-I not only knew I'd discovered an amazing author, I also felt like I had a new friend. Stop what you're doing and go read Piper Perish now!" -Leila Howland, author of Hello, Sunshine

"Piper Perish is smart, fresh, and utterly engaging. Infused with a love and respect for art that shines through on every page, Kayla Cagan's debut is equal parts funny and heartbreaking. You won't put it down."-Brandy Colbert, author of Pointe and Little and Lion

"There may not be another book published this year that is more perfect for artistic, complicated Cancers, who love stability yet crave adventure."--Teen Vogue

"Will embolden budding teen artists."-School Library Journal

About the Author

Kayla Cagan is a writer and playwright. She received her BFA in Theater from Stephen F. Austin University. She lives in Los Angeles. This is her first book.