Awards

• Nominated for Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Book Award 2019
• Nominated for Green Mountain Book Award 2017
• Winner of Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award for Young Adult Fiction 2017
• Winner of Morris Award 2017

Overview

Named to ten BEST OF THE YEAR lists and selected as a William C. Morris Award Winner, The Serpent King is the critically acclaimed, much-beloved story of three teens who find themselves--and each other--while on the cusp of graduating from high school with hopes of leaving their small-town behind. This gorgeous paperback edition with a full-color step-back cover will have teens everywhere itching to discover the book that everyone is talking about. Perfect for fans of John Green's Turtles All the Way Down. ""Move over, John Green; Zentner is coming for you."" —The New York Public Library “Will fill the infinite space that was left in your chest after you finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” —BookRiot.com    Dill isn't the most popular kid at his rural Tennessee high school. After his father fell from grace in a public scandal that reverberated throughout their small town, Dill became a target. Fortunately, his two fellow misfits and best friends, Travis and Lydia, have his back. But as they begin their senior year, Dill feels the coils of his future tightening around him. His only escapes are music and his secret feelings for Lydia--neither of which he is brave enough to share. Graduation feels more like an ending to Dill than a beginning. But even before then, he must cope with another ending--one that will rock his life to the core.   Debut novelist Jeff Zentner provides an unblinking and at times comic view of the hard realities of growing up in the Bible belt, and an intimate look at the struggles to find one’s true self in the wreckage of the past. “A story about friendship, family and forgiveness, it’s as funny and witty as it is utterly heartbreaking.” —PasteMagazine.com “A brutally honest portrayal of teen life . . . [and] a love letter to the South from a man who really understands it.” —Mashable.com “I adored all three of these characters and the way they talked to and loved one another.”—New York Times

Full Product Details

9780553524055

Table of Contents

Reviews

<b>Selected, Indie Next List Top Ten, 2016</b><b>Selected, <i>Paste Magazine </i>and popcrush.com 's list of Most Anticipated YA Books, 2016</b> Characters, incidents, dialogue, the poverty of the rural South, enduring friendship, a desperate clinging to strange faiths, fear of the unknown, and an awareness of the courage it takes to survive, let alone thrive, are among this fine novel s strengths. Zentner writes with understanding and grace a new voice to savor. - <b>Starred Review, <i>Kirkus Reviews</i></b> [T]his sepia-toned portrait of small-town life serves as a moving testament to love, loyalty, faith, and reaching through the darkness to find light and hope. - <b>Starred Review, <i>Publishers Weekly</i></b> Thorough characterization and artful prose allow readers to intimately experience the highs and lows of these three friends ....Recommended for fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell. - <b><i>School Library Journal</i></b> Pens would run dry if readers were to underline extraordinary sentences the kind that are so <i>true, </i> or funny, or beautiful that they clamp hearts ....[An] extraordinary YA debut. - <b>Starred Review, <i> Shelf Awareness</i></b> Zentner s great achievement particularly impressive for a first novel is to make us believe three such different people could be friends. He also manages to blend a dank, oppressive, Flannery O Connor-esque sense of place with humor and optimism ....I adored all three of these characters and the way they talked to and loved one another. - <b><i>New York Times Book Review</i></b> <i>From the Hardcover edition.</i>

Indie Next List Top Ten Named one of the Most Anticipated YA Books of 2016 by Paste Magazine and Popcrush.com The Serpent King gripped me in its coils and kept me turning pages late into the night. A triumph of love and dignity. Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss The Serpent King is a book you won t be able to resist or forget. The Southern boy in me savored every syllable and the reader in me fell in love with every page. John Corey Whaley, National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winning author of When Things Come Back Zentner s great achievement particularly impressive for a first novel is to make us believe three such different people could be friends. He also manages to blend a dank, oppressive, Flannery O Connor-esque sense of place with humor and optimism . . . I adored all three of these characters and the way they talked to and loved one another. New York Times Book Review The novel follows the three friends as they navigate their senior year of high school, through poverty, struggles, conflicts of faith, and trying to figure out a way to survive in this town. Despite dealing with so many difficult, dark obstacles, their powerful bonds of friendship keep alive a hope for the future. Bustle.com [T]his sepia-toned portrait of small-town life serves as a moving testament to love, loyalty, faith, and reaching through the darkness to find light and hope. Publishers Weekly, Starred Pens would run dry if readers were to underline extraordinary sentences the kind that are so true, or funny, or beautiful that they clamp hearts. . . . [An] extraordinary YA debut. Shelf Awareness, Starred Characters, incidents, dialogue, the poverty of the rural South, enduring friendship, a desperate clinging to strange faiths, fear of the unknown, and an awareness of the courage it takes to survive, let alone thrive, are among this fine novel s strengths. Zentner writes with understanding and grace a new voice to savor. Kirkus Reviews, Starred The third-person narration manages to convey distinct flavor for each deeply personal and introspective storyline, so each character emerges as an authentic individual, flawed yet lovable, and readers will find themselves drawn by the heartstrings into their complex lives. The Bulletin, Starred Thorough characterization and artful prose allow readers to intimately experience the highs and lows of these three friends. . . . Recommended for fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell. School Library Journal A musician himself, Zentner transitions to prose easily in his debut, pulling in complex issues that range from struggles with faith to abuse to grief. . . . A promising new voice in YA. Booklist [A] richly textured tale . . . The universal highs, lows and power shifts in friendship are played out by three compelling characters until tragedy brings loyalty to the fore. The Guardian From the Hardcover edition.

<b>A William C. Morris Award FinalistAn Indie Next List Top Ten Selection</b><b>A<i>Paste Magazine </i>and popcrush.com Most Anticipated YA Book of the YearA<i> Publishers Weekly</i>Spring 2016 Flying Start</b> Characters, incidents, dialogue, the poverty of the rural South, enduring friendship, a desperate clinging to strange faiths, fear of the unknown, and an awareness of the courage it takes to survive, let alone thrive, are among this fine novel s strengths. Zentner writes with understanding and grace a new voice to savor. - <b>Starred Review, <i>Kirkus Reviews</i></b> [T]his sepia-toned portrait of small-town life serves as a moving testament to love, loyalty, faith, and reaching through the darkness to find light and hope. - <b>Starred Review, <i>Publishers Weekly</i></b> Thorough characterization and artful prose allow readers to intimately experience the highs and lows of these three friends ....Recommended for fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell. - <b><i>School Library Journal</i></b> Pens would run dry if readers were to underline extraordinary sentences the kind that are so <i>true, </i> or funny, or beautiful that they clamp hearts ....[An] extraordinary YA debut. - <b>Starred Review, <i> Shelf Awareness </b> [For] readers who want stories of the rural South crafted with candor and care. <i> </i><b>Starred Review, </b><b><i>The Bulletin</b> Zentner s great achievement particularly impressive for a first novel is to make us believe three such different people could be friends. He also manages to blend a dank, oppressive, Flannery O Connor-esque sense of place with humor and optimism ....I adored all three of these characters and the way they talked to and loved one another. - <b><i>New York Times Book Review</i></b>

A William C. Morris Award Winner A New York Times Notable Book An Amazon Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of the Century A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year A BuzzFeed Best YA Book of the Year A Mashable Best YA Book of the Year A Shelf Awareness Best Teen Book of the Year A Hudson Booksellers Best Book of the Year A B&N Best YA Book of the Year A Southern Living Best Book of the Year An Indie Next List Top Ten Selection A Paste Magazine and popcrush.com Most Anticipated YA Book of the Year A Publishers Weekly Spring 2016 Flying Start ""A book you won't be able to resist or forget. The Southern boy in me savored every syllable and the reader in me fell in love with every page."" –John Corey Whaley, National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner ""A triumph of love and dignity."" –Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author ""Move over, John Green; Zentner is coming for you."" –The New York Public Library ""Will fill the infinite space that was left in your chest after you finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower."" –BookRiot.com ""A story about friendship, family and forgiveness, it's as funny and witty as it is utterly heartbreaking."" –PasteMagazine.com ""A brutally honest portrayal of teen life . . . [and] a love letter to the South from a man who really understands it."" –Mashable.com ""I adored all three of these characters and the way they talked to and loved one another."" –New York Times Book Review ""A new voice to savor."" –Kirkus, Starred ""[T]his sepia-toned portrait of small-town life serves as a moving testament to love, loyalty, faith, and reaching through the darkness to find light and hope."" –PW, Starred ""Pens would run dry if readers were to underline extraordinary sentences--the kind that are so true, or funny, or beautiful that they clamp hearts. . . . [An] extraordinary YA debut."" –Shelf Awareness, Starred ""The third-person narration manages to convey distinct flavor for each deeply personal and introspective storyline, so each character emerges as an authentic individual, flawed yet lovable, and readers will find themselves drawn by the heartstrings into their complex lives."" –The Bulletin, Starred ""Thorough characterization and artful prose allow readers to intimately experience the highs and lows of these three friends .... Recommended for fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell."" –SLJ

A William C. Morris Award WinnerA New York Times Notable BookAn Amazon Best Book of the YearA Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the YearA Publishers Weekly Best Book of the YearA BuzzFeed Best YA Book of the YearA Mashable Best YA Book of the YearA Shelf Awareness Best Teen Book of the YearA Hudson Booksellers Best Book of the YearA B&N Best YA Book of the YearA Southern Living Best Book of the YearAn Indie Next List Top Ten SelectionA Paste Magazine and popcrush.com Most Anticipated YA Book of the YearA Publishers Weekly Spring 2016 Flying Start -A book you won't be able to resist or forget. The Southern boy in me savored every syllable and the reader in me fell in love with every page.- -John Corey Whaley, National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner -A triumph of love and dignity.- -Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author -Move over, John Green; Zentner is coming for you.- -The New York Public Library -Will fill the infinite space that was left in your chest after you finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower.- -BookRiot.com -A story about friendship, family and forgiveness, it's as funny and witty as it is utterly heartbreaking.- -PasteMagazine.com -A brutally honest portrayal of teen life . . . [and] a love letter to the South from a man who really understands it.- -Mashable.com -I adored all three of these characters and the way they talked to and loved one another.- -New York Times Book Review -A new voice to savor.- -Kirkus, Starred -[T]his sepia-toned portrait of small-town life serves as a moving testament to love, loyalty, faith, and reaching through the darkness to find light and hope.- -PW, Starred -Pens would run dry if readers were to underline extraordinary sentences--the kind that are so true, or funny, or beautiful that they clamp hearts. . . . [An] extraordinary YA debut.- -Shelf Awareness, Starred -The third-person narration manages to convey distinct flavor for each deeply personal and introspective storyline, so each character emerges as an authentic individual, flawed yet lovable, and readers will find themselves drawn by the heartstrings into their complex lives.- -The Bulletin, Starred -Thorough characterization and artful prose allow readers to intimately experience the highs and lows of these three friends .... Recommended for fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell.- -SLJ

A William C. Morris Award WinnerA New York Times Notable BookAn Amazon Best Book of the YearA Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the YearA Publishers Weekly Best Book of the YearA BuzzFeed Best YA Book of the YearA Mashable Best YA Book of the YearA Shelf Awareness Best Teen Book of the YearA Hudson Booksellers Best Book of the YearA B&N Best YA Book of the YearA Southern Living Best Book of the YearAn Indie Next List Top Ten SelectionA Paste Magazine and popcrush.com Most Anticipated YA Book of the YearA Publishers Weekly Spring 2016 Flying Start A book you won't be able to resist or forget. The Southern boy in me savored every syllable and the reader in me fell in love with every page. -John Corey Whaley, National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner A triumph of love and dignity. -Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author Move over, John Green; Zentner is coming for you. -The New York Public Library Will fill the infinite space that was left in your chest after you finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower. -BookRiot.com A story about friendship, family and forgiveness, it's as funny and witty as it is utterly heartbreaking. -PasteMagazine.com A brutally honest portrayal of teen life . . . [and] a love letter to the South from a man who really understands it. -Mashable.com I adored all three of these characters and the way they talked to and loved one another. -New York Times Book Review A new voice to savor. -Kirkus, Starred [T]his sepia-toned portrait of small-town life serves as a moving testament to love, loyalty, faith, and reaching through the darkness to find light and hope. -PW, Starred Pens would run dry if readers were to underline extraordinary sentences--the kind that are so true, or funny, or beautiful that they clamp hearts. . . . [An] extraordinary YA debut. -Shelf Awareness, Starred The third-person narration manages to convey distinct flavor for each deeply personal and introspective storyline, so each character emerges as an authentic individual, flawed yet lovable, and readers will find themselves drawn by the heartstrings into their complex lives. -The Bulletin, Starred Thorough characterization and artful prose allow readers to intimately experience the highs and lows of these three friends .... Recommended for fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell. -SLJ

Author Information

Before becoming a writer, JEFF ZENTNER was a singer-songwriter and guitarist who recorded with Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and Debbie Harry. He lives in Nashville with his wife and son. Committed to making creativity a part of his everyday life, Zentner wrote both his debut novel, The Serpent King, and his follow-up book, Goodbye Days, on his iPhone while taking the bus to and from work. You can follow Zentner on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter at @jeffzentner.

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