Marci Lyn Curtis
YA author
SUMMARY:
Maggie Sanders might be blind, but she won't invite anyone to her pity party. Ever since losing her sight six months ago, Maggie's rebellious streak has taken on a life of its own, culminating with an elaborate school prank. Maggie called it genius. The judge called it illegal.
Now Maggie has a probation officer. But she isn't interested in rehabilitation, not when she's still mourning the loss of her professional-soccer dreams, and furious at her so-called friends, who lost interest in her as soon as she could no longer lead the team to victory.
Then Maggie's whole world is turned upside down. Somehow, incredibly, she can see again. But only one person: Ben, a precocious ten-year-old unlike anyone she's ever met. Ben's life isn't easy, but he doesn't see limits, only possibilities. After awhile, Maggie starts to realize that losing her sight doesn't have to mean losing everything she dreamed of. Even if what she's currently dreaming of is Mason Milton, the infuriatingly attractive lead singer of Maggie's new favorite band, who just happens to be Ben's brother.
But when she learns the real reason she can see Ben, Maggie must find the courage to face a once-unimaginable future...before she loses everything she has grown to love.
"This heartfelt read isn't one to be missed."-BuzzFeed
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"Funny, sweet, and hopeful."-Kirkus Reviews
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“The dialogue and Maggie’s inner thoughts are hilarious… Teens who enjoy stories about people overcoming adversity, complete with a satisfying conclusion, will enjoy this novel.”—School Library Journal
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“It is not preachy or overly optimistic about the challenges Maggie faces, but it has humor and characters that are well developed.”—VOYA
“Fans of Sarah Dessen and John Green will enjoy this story about overcoming life’s challenges; the novel has a satisfying conclusion and features strong character growth.”—Children’s Literature Journal​
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SUMMARY:
Just when Grace is beginning to get used to being an orphan, her estranged uncle suddenly comes forward to claim her. That might be okay if he’d spoken to her even once since her father died. Or if moving in with Uncle Rusty didn’t mean returning to New Harbor.
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Grace once spent the best summers of her life in New Harbor. Now the place just reminds her of all she’s lost: her best friend, her boyfriend, and any memory of the night that changed her forever.
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People say the truth will set you free, but Grace isn’t sure about that. Because once she starts looking for it, the truth about that night is hard to find. And what happens when her healing hurts the people she cares about the most?
“Candid and emotional. A sometimes painful, memory-soaked portrait of grief and—most importantly—survival.”
–Jenn Bennett, author of Alex, Approximately
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"Raw, gripping, and continually surprising. The Leading Edge of Now deftly balances heartbreak and humor."
—Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of Firsts and Last Girl Lied To
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"One of those rare, beautiful books that will shatter your heart, then gently put the pieces back together with its humor, honesty, and breathtaking writing. Marci Lyn Curtis has done it again."
— Samantha Joyce, author of Flirting With Fame
“Helmed by a protagonist who is savvy, lost, broken, sarcastic and ultimately strong enough to create love in a world too often poised to break a girl, The Leading Edge of Now will leave you with a deep need to live life to the fullest.”
—Shannon M. Parker, author of The Girl Who Fell and The Rattled Bones.
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​While the writing is open and realistic, the author is also sensitive and shows both caring and understanding ...―CM Magazine
... a heart-wrenching, quick paced novel that's bound to drive you to tears.―Teenreads.com
A raw but beautiful tale ...―YA Books Central