Spotlight Wednesday: Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt

What if the love of your life was literally right in front of you?

That thrown-together-by-the-alphabet thing happened from kindergarten through senior year of high school, so I bet most of you know exactly who was in front of and behind you -- both in line for the playground and walking to the stage on graduation day. Our social fates are alphabetically determined!

So when 15-year-old Payton Gritas gets instructions from her guidance counselor to pick a focus object -- something she can concentrate her emotions on -- she chooses the "object" directly in front of her in class: Sean Griswold's head.

From the flap copy:

The focus object is intended to help Payton deal with her father's newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis. And it's working. With the help of her boy-crazy best friend Jac, Payton starts stalking-er, focusing on-Sean Griswold . . . all of him! He's cute, he shares her Seinfeld obsession (nobody else gets it!) and he may have a secret or two of his own.

~*~

In Lindsey Leavitt's just-released novel, she manages to mix heart with hilarity, which is an utterly winning combination. I was cheering for Payton as she dealt with friend issues, her family crisis and her slow realization that Sean Griswold might be more than giant head blocking the board in class.

Check out the reviews:

“In a rather impressive feat, Leavitt manages to take a painful family crisis and make one girl’s reaction to it genuinely guffaw-worthy, even adding a bit of romance for kicks. With her self-deprecating wit and nearly OCD organizational skills, Payton is positively endearing. Leavitt capably handles the issues of chronic illness with sensitivity, making this an insightful, humorous, and ultimately uplifting family drama.” —BCCB

“Payton is likable and the writing brisk and amusing…Complex, significant issues are raised.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Leavitt tucks in lines like 'I don’t do spandex. The devil wears spandex. And I doubt the devil’s butt is as big as mine' while bringing her protagonist around to acceptance and repaired relationships... the formula is tried-and-true.” —Booklist

Do you need a single additional reason to check out this book? Okay, here's one: Lindsey Leavitt married her high school lab partner. Isn't that the greatest thing?

Sean Griswold's Head is out this week!

4 comments:

Denise Jaden said...

Can't wait to read this! I love books that face hard issues but are still funny!

Micol Ostow said...

I have heard such amazing things about this book! Can't wait to read!

Michael Northrop said...

Yep, this one goes to the top of my list (and the head of the class). Congratulations, Lindsey!

aisyahputrisetiawan said...


Banned complain !! Complaining only causes life and mind become more severe. Enjoy the rhythm of the problems faced. No matter ga life, not a problem not learn, so enjoy it :)

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