Compound Fracture

A Michael L. Printz Honor Book

A queer Appalachian thriller that pulls no punches--following a trans autistic teen who's drawn into the generational struggle between the rural poor and those who exploit them.

The INSTANT New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestselling novel from award-winning author Andrew Joseph White!

The limited-quantity first printing of this powerful novel features specially-designed endpapers with photos of West Virginia coal mines from The Library of Congress!

On the night Miles Abernathy--sixteen-year-old socialist and proud West Virginian--comes out as trans to his parents, he sneaks off to a party, carrying evidence that may finally turn the tide of the blood feud plaguing Twist Creek: Photos that prove the county's Sheriff Davies was responsible for the so-called "accident" that injured his dad, killed others, and crushed their grassroots efforts to unseat him.

The feud began a hundred years ago when Miles's great-great-grandfather, Saint Abernathy, incited a miners' rebellion that ended with a public execution at the hands of law enforcement. Now, Miles becomes the feud's latest victim as the sheriff's son and his friends sniff out the evidence, follow him through the woods, and beat him nearly to death.

In the hospital, the ghost of a soot-covered man hovers over Miles's bedside while Sheriff Davies threatens Miles into silence. But when Miles accidently kills one of the boys who hurt him, he learns of other folks in Twist Creek who want out from under the sheriff's heel. To free their families from this cycle of cruelty, they're willing to put everything on the line--is Miles?

A visceral, unabashedly political page-turner that won't let you go until you've reached the end, Compound Fracture is not for the faint of heart, but it is for every reader who's ready to fight for a better world. Hand this story to teens pushing for radical change.

Instant New York Times bestseller
Instant USA Today Bestseller
Instant Indie Bestseller
A Kids' Indie Next Selection
A Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year
A Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best
A Shelf Awareness Best Books of the Year
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Recipient
A Paste Magazine Best YA Books
A Children's Book Council Young Adult Favorite & Teachers' Favorite

Author: Andrew Joseph White
Publisher: Peachtree Teen
Published: 09/03/2024
Pages: 384
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 8.10h x 5.60w x 1.40d
ISBN: 9781682636121
Audience: Young Adult

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5
Point Value: 13
Interest Level: Upper Grade
Quiz #/Name: 553099 / Compound Fracture


Award: Michael L. Printz Award - Honor Book


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 06/24/2024
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2024
Booklist 09/01/2024 pg. 70
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 10/01/2024
Shelf Awareness 12/12/2024
School Library Journal 09/27/2024 pg. 1
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2024 pg. 101
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2024 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

About the Author
Andrew Joseph White is the New York Times and #1 Indie bestselling author of Hell Followed with Us and The Spirit Bares its Teeth. A queer, trans writer from Virginia, he grew up falling in love with monsters and wishing he could be one too. He received his MFA in Creative Writing from George Mason University in 2022.