Congratulations on the US publication of THE OTHER SIDE OF PERFECT (First published as Autumn Bird and the Runaway) by Melanie Florence and Richard Scrimger (co-author) publishing today Scholastic US!
“An evocative narrative about identity, community, and the power of nurturing relationships.” — Kirkus Starred Review
Cody’s home life is a messy, too-often terrifying story of neglect and abuse. Cody himself is a smart kid, a survivor with a great sense of humor that helps him see past his circumstances and begin to try to get himself out. Autumn lives comfortably with her indigenous family, but she has found herself in with the popular crowd even though it’s hard for her to want to keep up.
But one night, while returning home from a movie, Autumn comes across Cody, face down in the laneway behind her house. All Cody knows is that he can’t take another encounter with his father like the one he just narrowly escaped. He can’t go home. But he doesn’t have anywhere else to go. When Autumn agrees to let him hide out in her dad’s art studio, Cody’s story begins to come out, and so does hers.
Two kids from two different worlds form an unexpected friendship in this lens into the interworking of empathy. Told in alternating narratives, The Other Side of Perfect is infused with themes of identity, belonging, and compassion, reminding us that we are all more than our circumstances, and we are all more connected than we think.
Melanie Florence is an award-winning writer of Cree and Scottish heritage based in Toronto. She was close to her grandfather as a child, a relationship that sparked her interest in writing about Indigenous themes and characters. There is back matter included on beadwork and how it is an enduring art and expression of culture for many Indigenous people.
Melanie is represented by Amy Tompkins.
Congratulations!