All Out of Pretty

All Out of Pretty

Published by Creston Books on April 3, 2018.

How do you know who to trust? Can you even trust yourself, your own instincts, and choices? Andrea, or “Bones” as her mom calls her, thinks of herself as smart, but intelligence only gets you so far and she finds herself nowhere near as smart or as tough as she thought.

Full Synopsis

How do you know who to trust? Can you even trust yourself, your own instincts, and choices? Andrea, or "Bones" as her mom calls her, thinks of herself as smart, but intelligence only gets you so far and she finds herself nowhere near as smart or as tough as she thought.

"All Out of Pretty" is a gripping, thoughtful look at one girl's journey to figuring out what really matters to her and how to take care of herself in a world where there are no responsible adults for her to rely on. Do you use your looks or your brains? Your stubbornness or flexibility? How do you survive a drug-addict mother and her dealer boyfriend? Andrea's voice will pull you along from the first sentence of this emotional roller-coaster of a book.

Reviews

"This is a gripping read that leaves the reader both eager to find out what will happen next and terrified to discover what else Andrea must endure. An exciting introduction to a talented writer."

—Booklist

"Though her struggles are hard to read about, Andrea is both flawed and fierce enough to pull readers through them with her. An achingly realistic portrait of abuse and addiction."

—Kirkus

"A haunting and unflinching read that beautifully explores the intersection between strength and vulnerability, and what it means to be lost as well as found. Brilliant and unforgettable."

—Jasmine Warga, author of Here We Are Now and My Heart and Other Black Holes

"An amazing read, full of heart and nail-biting suspense! Andrea's a smart, tough 16-year-old, but can she survive her mom's dangerous, drug-filled world? This book had me on the edge of my seat until the very last word."

—Jane Bramley, Hicklebee's Children's Books

"All Out of Pretty is a beautifully painful tale of blurred lines between love and loss, trust and betrayal, hope and despair. As Andrea (aka 'Bones') sinks deeper into her mother's addict-driven life, I felt like her only ally and was desperate to read her to safety. Ingrid Palmer has crafted a page-turner that will leave readers with the feeling that no matter how bad things get, there is always a path to freedom."

—Kristina McBride, author of The Bakersville Dozen and A Million Times Goodnight

"Raw and unforgettable. What combination of love, bravery, and cowardice keeps Andrea walking this harsh path alone? It's impossible not to root for her. I loved being inside of this book!"

—Ann Seaton, Northern California Independent Booksellers Association

"All Out of Pretty is a great YA novel. I was very fond of 'Bones' and her survival skills. Most people do not realize how good they have it until they get an inside look at someone else's life."

—Marla Conn, ReadAbility

"Readers won't be able to put this book down. Unflinching in its depiction of a smart, yet vulnerable girl's descent into a back-woods world of violence, drugs, manipulation and control, it sneaks up on you unexpectedly. Andrea's story never strays too far from hope. It is this hope whether through unexpected friendships, memories of a loving grandmother or the survival instincts of a smart, yet vulnerable girl that make this book so compelling."

—Sarah Wedgbrow, Librarian, Forest Hall School

"A raw, heart-wrenching story about all kinds of pretty in life. You won't be able to put it down until the very last page."

—Alison Gervais, author of In 27 Days

"A page-turner filled with realism, All Out of Pretty is an exciting read for young adults as well as adults. The characters all possess a strength that helps them survive, yet at the same time, they're extremely, vividly vulnerable."

—Kym Sheehan, Librarian, Punta Gorda Middle School

"This portrayal of a smart, motivated teen who lives in an ugly, violent world feels so real that it is a terrifying, heartbreaking read. Ingrid Palmer's compelling storytelling on the very relevant topics of drug addiction and trafficking and sex trafficking and slavery will ring true for readers, particularly in areas of our country where this is a major problem. Just when it seems Andrea has turned a corner and is on the right path, Palmer throws in a twist and bad things come her way instead. Andrea's desperation and sense of hopelessness about her situation are palpable. The brave things she does to pull herself out of this world that she feels trapped in are plausible. I felt invested in and cared about what happened to Andrea and her friends; I think other readers will, as well."

—Stephanie Bange, Children's Literature Consultant

Discussion Questions

Are you a teacher or a parent who wants to share this book? Ingrid has discussion questions available to help you examine the themes of this novel as well as the choices each character makes throughout the story. 

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