Going Overboard

by Caroline Huntoon Narrated by P. J. Morgan

Overview

Piper Shapiro has the best mom in the world: Noura, a single parent by choice who always has a plan, whether it's for a spontaneous Saturday adventure or helping Piper navigate middle school as a nonbinary kid. They're a package deal, and they tell each other everything. At least, they used to. But then Noura invites Piper out to dinner with her girlfriend Gwinny . . . and Gwinny's son, Colton-a boy Piper knows, and doesn't exactly get along with. Piper panics when the realization hits: Noura and Gwinny are serious about each other. Suddenly, Piper's life as half of a duo has an expiration date, and ze is horrified.



To put a stop to any potential wedding bells, Piper makes a plan: break up the parents and keep things the way they are-the way they should be. When Gwinny surprises everyone with a get-to-know-each-other cruise for spring break, Piper's game is on-and Colton is in on it. The two of them work hard to make it clear that they are not one big happy family, even though it turns out that Colton might not be so bad after all. But when things with Project Break Up go a bit too far, Piper starts to question everything . . . and starts to realize that maybe a little change isn't a bad thing.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for Going Overboard:

"Balances the antics of the breakup scheme with Piper’s internal growth as ze finds self-expression and confidence through fashion and realizes that change can be a good thing. Some serious topics and moments are gently threaded throughout, but overall the tale maintains a light tone and focuses on acts of love and support. Entertaining and thoughtful." —Kirkus

"Huntoon strikes the perfect balance between lighthearted and sweet to thoughtful and honest while dealing with serious topics important to many tweens . . . A charming, timely novel about growth and change." —School Library Journal

Praise for Caroline Huntoon:

★ "Huntoon. . . writes beautifully with authority and insight, creating in Mars a fully realized, memorable character; this first novel is an important contribution to the slender body of nonbinary literature, which belongs in every library." —Booklist, starred review, on Skating On Mars

“Mars gives us a beautiful blueprint for what to do when you’re neither/nor instead of either/or, a sparkling bolt of bold Bowie lightning in a world of black and white. Their story skated into my heart and left a smile on my face.” —Jules Machias, author of Both Can Be True and Fight + Flight, on Skating On Mars

"The characters’ sweet demeanors, lively dialogue, and ever-changing relationships will keep readers rooting for them until the book’s final pages. . . A tender story about moving through hurt and embracing uncertainty." —Kirkus on Linus and Etta Could Use a Win

"Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, Linus and Etta is more than a win, it is a triumph. Readers will delight in this story of friendship and acceptance that has loveable leads, plenty of puns, and above all, a sparkling and lifesaving amount of queer joy." —Justine Pucella Winans, author of The Otherwoods, on Linus and Etta could Use a Win

Kirkus Reviews

2025-03-08
Sixth grader Piper reluctantly teams up with classmate Colton to break up their moms.

Nonbinary budding fashion designer Piper, who uses the pronounsze/zir/zem, was raised by an awesome and supportive single mom, Noura. Noura’s had girlfriends in the past, but nothing serious—at least not until Gwinny. Piper starts to realize this relationship is different when ze is invited to join one of their dates and meet Gwinny’s son, who turns out to be someone who once mocked Piper at a school dance. Piper has no desire to share zir mom and merge families, so when they all decide to go on a Caribbean cruise together, Piper plans Project Breakup. Piper will need help to pull it off, however, so ze brings Colton into the fold, only to discover that Colton’s a lot more fun than ze thought. Just as Piper’s plan begins to fall into place, ze starts to question if maybe Project Breakup was a mistake. Told through Piper’s first-person narration, the story balances the antics of the breakup scheme with Piper’s internal growth as ze finds self-expression and confidence through fashion and realizes that change can be a good thing. Some serious topics and moments are gently threaded throughout, but overall the tale maintains a light tone and focuses on acts of love and support. Piper and Colton are cued white.

Entertaining and thoughtful.(Fiction. 8-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940193895275
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	05/27/2025
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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