Quagmire Tiarello Couldn't Be Better

By Mylisa Larsen

A teen's life unravels when his mom vanishes, forcing him to rely on unexpected family ties.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 455 ratings

240 pages· 50,291 words· Est. 7 hour read

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Quagmire Tiarello's world is upended when his mother disappears, leaving him to navigate life with an uncle he never knew. Used to handling his mom's erratic behavior, Quag now faces a dilemma: reveal her mental health struggles or bluff his way through to find her. As he grapples with these challenges, Quag must decide if he can accept help from those around him. Will he uncover the truth and reunite with his mom, or will his independence lead him astray? Dive into a journey of self-discovery and unexpected family bonds.

From the publisher

Wry humor and sharp insight capture the distinctive voice of a young teen forced by his mother’s unstable mental health to recalibrate his outlook and build a new life with found family. For fans of Gary D. Schmidt and Rebecca Stead. A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOKA KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOKFIVE STARRED REVIEWS!Quagmire Tiarello prides himself on not needing anything from anybody. Sure, his mom is skipping work again and showing signs of going into one of her full-out spins, but it’s nothing he can’t handle. He’s used to her up-and-down moods, even if this time it feels a little different.Then his mom disappears, and Quag must find shelter with an uncle he didn’t know he had. Should he come clean about his mother’s mental health challenges? Or can he use his carefully honed skills to bluff long enough to find his mom and get home? Readers will root for Quag as he finds himself rethinking his world and learning to accept help from the people who love him.

At a glance