The First Thing about You

"An engaging coming-of-age tale. . . . Real and gripping, allowing the reader to experience a no-holds-barred look into the life of a teenager with a life-altering condition." --School Library Connection (starred review)

When fifteen-year-old Harris moves with his family from California to New Jersey, he's determined to be known as more than just the kid in the powered wheelchair. Armed with his favorite getting-to-know-you question ("What's your favorite color?"), he'll weed out the greens and the purples--people who are too close to his own blue to make for good friends--and surround himself with outgoing yellows, adventurous oranges, and even thrilling reds. But first things first: he needs to find a new nurse, stat.

Enter Miranda, a young nursing student who graduated from Harris's new high school. Beautiful, confident, and the perfect blend of orange and red, Miranda sees Harris for who he really is--funny, smart, and totally worthy of the affections of Nory Fischer, the cute girl from class. With Miranda at his side, Harris soon befriends geeky Zander (yellow) and even makes headway with Nory (who stubbornly refuses to reveal her favorite color). But Miranda is fighting her own demons, and Harris starts to wonder if she truly has his best interests at heart.

Author: Chaz Hayden
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 09/10/2024
Pages: 368
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 8.19h x 5.43w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781536239799
Audience: Young Adult

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.7
Point Value: 12
Interest Level: Upper Grade
Quiz #/Name: 519701 / First Thing about You


Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 10/01/2024

About the Author
Chaz Hayden is a debut author who, like his main character, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy as an infant and spent his childhood in and out of hospitals. The First Thing About You, he says, is "not just about disability but about friendship and love and all the things that a young person hopes to experience." Through his writing and his YouTube channel, he speaks with abundant positivity and encourages people to "Be different. Leave a trail." Chaz Hayden grew up in New Jersey and now lives in Pennsylvania, where he spends too much time thinking about his next tattoo and what concerts to attend. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @TheChazHayden.