Dispatches from Parts Unknown

*An Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook* 

“The feel-good novel of the year.” —ALA Booklist (starred review)

Julie knows it’s unusual that a professional wrestler runs a constant commentary on her life that only she can hear. But grief can be awfully funny sometimes. National Book Award nominee Bryan Bliss delivers a thought-provoking, one-of-a-kind novel about how to tread the line between moving on and holding on. Dispatches from Parts Unknown is for fans of David Arnold, Nina LaCour, and You’ve Reached Sam. 

Ever since her dad died three years ago, Julie has been surviving more than thriving. And surviving is sneaking into her parents’ closet when her mom is out, since it’s the only place that still sometimes smells like her dad. It’s roaming around the Mall of America. It’s pulling out the box of her dad’s VHS tapes, recordings of his favorite vintage professional wrestling matches.

And it’s hearing the voice of the Masked Man in her head, running a commentary of her life.

It’s embarrassing, really. Sure, he was her dad’s favorite wrestler, but that doesn’t mean she wants him in her head.

As Julie finally starts to come out of the haze of grief, maybe she’ll finally figure out why that voice is there, and how to let it go.

• Mental Health and Grief: A heartfelt and funny look at the weird ways we survive—especially when your main coping mechanism is the voice of a snarky professional wrestler running commentary in your head.
• Unlikely Friendships: From her lifelong best friend Max at the Orange Julius to Bri, the girl who helps her navigate a surprisingly intense prom committee, Julie starts finding connections she never expected.
• A Sweet First Romance: Then there’s Leg, the quirky skater boy who’s weirdly obsessed with prom and might just be earnest enough to get past her defenses.
• Tons of 90s Nostalgia: Finding comfort by watching fuzzy recordings of her dad’s favorite wrestling matches on VHS tapes and spending aimless afternoons at the Mall of America.