The Real Deal

“An absolute treasure. Vibrant, charming, and absolutely real.”—Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author of Operation Sisterhood

Two best friends discover the danger and power of secrets in this pitch perfect standalone from the acclaimed author of Just Like Jackie and Brave Like That.

Not every friendship can be the real deal, but for Gabe and Oliver, that’s never been a question.

Until now. Things still feel the same on the surface—they’re even making a comic about their friendship—but lately Oliver’s acting like he might be hiding something.

And then there’s Reuben, the new boy who just moved to town. He doesn’t talk—not ever. The other kids say mean things and call him names behind his back. Gabe knows it isn’t right—but he and Oliver stay quiet, or worse, laugh along with the others just to keep from standing out.

Through the character he and Oliver create in their comic adventure, the experience they have babysitting twin toddlers, and with the help of a troublemaking seventh grader who gets sent to their sixth-grade class, Gabe begins to find his voice and become the realest-deal version of his own self. But if he does that—can he still hold onto his best friend, too?

Perfect for fans of Lisa Graff and Linda Mullaly Hunt, this novel from Lindsey Stoddard, whose stories were lauded as “remarkable” by the New York Times Book Review, will have fans new and old hooked.  

• An Unforgettable School Story: A new school year brings a new student, Reuben, who doesn’t speak, forcing sixth-grader Gabe to confront the choice between fitting in and doing the right thing.
• Secrets Between Friends: Gabe and Oliver have always been the real deal, but when Oliver starts acting distant, Gabe wonders what his best friend is hiding—and if their friendship can survive it.
• Finding Your Voice: From staying quiet when other kids are cruel to learning how to speak up for a friend in need, Gabe’s journey is a heartfelt exploration of what it truly means to be brave.
• Boys Who Make Comics: When words are hard to find, Gabe and Oliver create their own superhero, Gabiver—part sporty, part bookish—in a comic that helps them figure out how to be heroes in real life.