Stand-Off

Ryan Dean West is back to his boarding school antics in this bitingly funny sequel to Winger, which Publishers Weekly called alternately hilarious and painful, awkward and enlightening (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

Its his last year at Pine Mountain, and Ryan Dean should be focused on his future, but instead, hes haunted by his past. His rugby coach expects him to fill the roles once played by his lost friend, Joey, as the rugby teams stand-off and new captain. And somehow hes stuck rooming with twelve-year-old freshman Sam Abernathy, a cooking whiz with extreme claustrophobia and a serious crush on Annie Altmanaka Ryan Deans girlfriend, for now, anyway.

Equally distressing, Ryan Deans doodles and drawings dont offer the relief they used to. Hes convinced N.A.T.E. (the Next Accidental Terrible Experience) is lurking around every cornerand then he runs into Joeys younger brother Nico, who makes Ryan Dean feel paranoid that hes avoiding him. Will Ryan Dean ever regain his sanity?

From the author of the National Book Awardnominated 100 Sideways Miles, which Kirkus Reviews called a wickedly witty and offbeat novel, Stand-Off is filled with hand-drawn infographics and illustrations and delivers the same spot-on teen voice and relatable narrative that legions of readers connected with in Winger.