Not Now, Not Ever

Gr 8 Up—Elliot "Ever" Gabaroche Lawrence is a science fiction—loving, Oscar Wilde—quoting, running machine. Unlike most 17-year-olds, she has definite ideas about her future after high school. Unfortunately, those plans don't coincide with her mother's Air Force academy, or her father's law school intensive dreams. Elliot decides to risk the ire of both parents to seize her one chance at charting her own course. She signs up to compete in the Melee at Rayevich College. The Melee is an academic boot camp competition that pits genius against genius in a trial that will test their mental and physical capabilities. The winner of the Melee wins a scholarship to Rayevich College, which is the one school that would allow Elliot to fully explore her love of science fiction literature. Elliot must navigate the sabotage attempts of her fellow boot campers, an unexpected familial complication, a new love, and the plans of her parents in her effort to win her prize. This is wonderful book that explores the desire to be loyal to family and to create a space that belongs solely to oneself. Ever's is a fresh and welcome voice that unashamedly embraces her geekiness. The follow-up to the author's The Only Thing Worse than Me Is You is inspired by The Importance of Being Earnest and gives teens permission to simply be themselves.