Vida Beats the Odds - by David Getz (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

"A warm, poignant, and surprisingly witty story about families and mental health, filled with gentle humor and heart-pounding emotion." --Ann M. Martin, Author of Rain Reign and A Corner of the Universe, a Newbery Honor book

Vida is only thirteen years old, but do not let that fool you--she works twice as hard as most adults. She helps her overextended mother prepare for her city council speeches; she helps her lab partner, Juliana, control her impulses; and most important, she is a calming influence on her twin brother, Ollie, when he experiences violent episodes they call "Tumults." But sometimes Vida doesn't want to have it all together. Sometimes she just wants a chance to breathe.

Vida Beats the Odds is a propulsive, funny, and emotionally charged coming-of-age novel that has both whip-smart humor and aching humanity. It will be relatable to anyone who has loved and been leaned on, and then been leaned on a bit too hard.

Review Quotes

"A warm, surprisingly witty, and poignant story about families and mental health, filled with gentle humor and heart pounding emotion." --Ann M Martin, award-winning author of The Babysitters Club

"David Getz packs a lot of humor, heart, and enormous insight into this story of two outsiders: Ollie, a young person living with a mental illness, and his twin sister, Vida, who loves and cares for him. I learned, I laughed, and I was deeply moved by this beautiful book." --James Howe, award-winning author of the Bunnicula series

"There's a tumult in all of our lives, and David Getz manages to capture it perfectly in this funny, searing, propulsive fastball of a book. Our heroes, Vida and Ollie, search desperately to find the medicine for our fractured days and ultimately find it in one another. A beautiful, charming gem of a book." --Colum McCann, National Book Award-winning author of Let the Great World Spin

"Vida's family members are in crisis, but they're also all sparkling with a unique humor that jumps off every page. Getz writes with hilarity and honesty to tell a story that bursts with hope, and Vida is a character to remember." --Emily Jenkins, author of All the Best Dogs and Toys Go Out

"Intelligent, soul stirring and full of humor. Vida and Ollie are beautifully drawn characters; they won my whole heart." --Leslie Connor, author of the National Book Award Finalist The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle

About the Author

David Getz was the principal of MS 114 on Manhattan's Upper East Side until his retirement in 2023. He
was also an award-winning author of seven books for children: Thin Air, Almost Famous, Frozen Man, Floating Home, Life on Mars, Frozen Girl, and Purple Death. He lived in Manhattan with his wife, Jacqui, who is also retired from the NYC public schools. They have three adult daughters, and a love of the Mets runs in the family.