David Arnold

Teens Victor Benucci and Madeline Falco sit in separate police interrogation rooms telling about the misfits who brought them together and their journey sparked by a message in an urn.

Kids of Appetite

KIDS OF APPETITE by David Arnold, author of MOSQUITOLAND, is a tragicomedy of first love and devastating loss, perfect for for fans of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, Rainbow Rowell and Jennifer Niven. 'CAPTIVATING' WASHINGTON POST In the Hackensack Police Department, Vic Benucci and his friend Mad are explaining how they found themselves wrapped up in a grisly murder. But in order to tell that story, they have to go way back... It all started when Vic's dad died. Vic's dad was his best friend, and even now, two years later, he can't bring himself to touch the Untouchable Urn of Oblivion that sits in his front hall. But one cold December day, Vic falls in with an alluring band of kids that wander his New Jersey neighbourhood, including Mad, the girl who changes everything. Along with his newfound friendships comes the courage to open his father's urn, the discovery of the message inside, and the epic journey it sparks... Praise for David Arnold: 'Funny and touching' NEW YORK TIMES 'Fresh and often very endearing' SUNDAY HERALD '[A novel that] bucks the usual classifications and stands defiantly alone' ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY 'A joy' INDEPENDENT, Best YA novels of 2015

'Funny and touching' New York Times

Zahra

3.5 stars
David Arnold's quirky writing were as fabulous as always. I adored the diverse, well fleshed-out, and distinguished characters. But the plot wasn't engaging enough for me. It lacked that power which urged me to keep flipping the pages and find out what would happen next. Sadly, above all else, I think I set my expectation too high. I'd hoped that this would outdone Mosquitoland but it did not. 

Suffice to say, I think the case here is it's-not-you-it's-me. The book was not bad but it was just not on my best interest.

Emi Gilmore 

Though pretentious at times, I enjoyed this book overall. Like I say all the time, and yet never act upon, review to come.

liyA

DNFed at 14% 🥲🥲 

I’ve never truly DNFed a book before but I made a new year’s resolution this year that I would dnf any books that I couldn’t find the energy to read/didn’t find interesting (and perhaps read them later on) instead of carrying on reading and suffering like I always do ;-; 

anyways, this book is probably really good and probably has a great plot and stuff but i just couldn’t get into it and idk… maybe I’ll pick it up later on but rn I’m in the mood for some other style of writing/genre (yes, I’m such a mood reader LMAO)

Ella Zegarra

Danica Holdaway

I really did not like this book, or Vic at first. It starts out so confusing and takes a little too long for you to understand what's actually happening, in my opinion. Otherwise I really enjoyed it and fell in love with the characters! Great coming-of-age story of love and loss and making yourself something - with an overarching theme of loyalty.

"A gorgeous, insightful, big-hearted joy of a book." —Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything The critically acclaimed author of Mosquitoland brings us another batch of unforgettable characters in this New York Times bestselling tragicomedy about first love and devastating loss. Victor Benucci and Madeline Falco have a story to tell. It begins with the death of Vic’s father. It ends with the murder of Mad’s uncle. The Hackensack Police Department would very much like to hear it. But in order to tell their story, Vic and Mad must focus on all the chapters in between. This is a story about: 1. A coded mission to scatter ashes across New Jersey. 2. The momentous nature of the Palisades in winter. 3. One dormant submarine. 4. Two songs about flowers. 5. Being cool in the traditional sense. 6. Sunsets & ice cream & orchards & graveyards. 7. Simultaneous extreme opposites. 8. A narrow escape from a war-torn country. 9. A story collector. 10. How to listen to someone who does not talk. 11. Falling in love with a painting. 12. Falling in love with a song. 13. Falling in love.

Kids of Appetite

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