Absent

By Rex Ogle, LJ-Baptiste (Illustrator)

Three boys in detention discover unexpected lessons beyond the classroom walls.

4.4/5 Goodreads · 73 ratings

304 pages

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Manny, Calvin, and Liam each face unique struggles: a jailed father, overwhelming family duties, and relentless bullying. Their paths converge in detention, where they uncover surprising truths about themselves and each other. Manny expresses himself through lyrics, Calvin's life unfolds in comic panels, and Liam's thoughts spill onto journal pages. As they navigate their challenges, they learn that education extends beyond textbooks and classrooms. Can these unlikely allies find strength in their differences and change their futures? Dive into a story of friendship, resilience, and the power of understanding in unexpected places.

From the publisher

With a dad in jail and a lack of teachers interested in helping him learn, Manny doesn’t see the point in anything besides skateboarding and writing lyrics. Calvin has so many responsibilities to his father and little brothers that when his bike is stolen, he can’t make it to school on time. And while Liam is studious and wants to become a doctor, he is tormented by bullies and hides out in an unused janitor’s closet instead of going to class. When the boys are thrown together in detention, they realize that they might still have a lot to learn–not just from their teachers, but from each other. Absent tells the boys’ stories in three distinct voices: Manny’s in verse, Calvin’s as a comic, and Liam’s as a prose journal. Printz Award Honoree and YALSA Nonfiction Award winner Rex Ogle explores school absenteeism in a compelling, entertaining, and utterly distinct novel.

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