You Don't Know Me

You think you know John? Well, let’s see . . .

What bathroom fixture did his father have in mind at his birth? What amphibian plagues John in band? Does algebra have a use, besides torture? Who or what is Lashasa Palulu? Who is Glory Hallelujah? Who is Violent Hayes? What do they want from John? If friends are people who like you, does John have any? Why do fools fall in love? If school is a place for learning, where does John go every day? How can anyone who’s fighting a secret battle for his life know anyone, really? And how can they know him?

Fourteen-year-old John creates alternative realities in his mind as he tries to deal with his mother's abusive boyfriend, his crush on a beautiful, but shallow classmate and other problems at school.

REVIEWS:

“Klass blazes past his previous literary efforts stylistically, introducing elements of magical realism to gradually reveal a quirky, talented, and likable guy. . . . The world may be ‘muddled and painful,’ but it is, ‘in the end, a love song,’—a rewarding and important message for all readers.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review

“[A] well-conceived novel. . . . The hero’s underlying sense of isolation and thread of hope will strike a chord with nearly every adolescent.”—Publishers Weekly

“John’s inner voice is wonderfully cynical yet sweet and sad. . . . This book is for anyone—teenagers and adults alike—who has ever been faced with the absurdity of a normal life.”—Voice of Youth Advocates

“[A] captivating first-person narrative with an original voice . . . [T]his is an engrossing story, in the vein of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, to which readers will immediately connect.”—Kirkus Reviews

PLEASE NOTE: Young Adult titles may contain controversial themes, mature content, and/or profanity. Some teachers specifically request these titles because they know their students are wrestling with these topics, while others choose not to incorporate these materials. Please review each title carefully before selecting it.