From the Publisher
[Willa’s] first-person narration is self-deprecating, deeply thoughtful, and thoroughly funny, with a sometimes-chiding direct address that pulls readers into her confidence. Snarky and painfully astute. But in a good way. — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“As with Anatomy of a Misfit, Portes’s second YA novel has a seductive zaniness and almost unstoppable exuberance… Willa’s memorable voice and humor, as well as her longing to cultivate relationships that will anchor her more firmly to the world, will linger with readers.” — Publishers Weekly
“The protagonist’s voice is vibrant and authentic… Fans of Chelsey Philpot’s Even in Paradise will enjoy this coming-of-age story with emotional appeal.” — School Library Journal
“[Willa’s] idiosyncratic, often mean, sometimes vulnerable voice is the highlight of this contemporary problem novel... Willa’s realization that some loving relationships are also toxic, and the slow fracturing of Willa and Remy’s friendship are believably painful.” — Booklist
“Remy’s terrible choices throughout (including seducing a teacher) and her descent into drug abuse feel organic rather than histrionic, while Willa’s emergence from the dark is hard-fought and believable.” — Horn Book Magazine
PRAISE FOR ANATOMY OF A MISFIT: “A self-deprecating and highly memorable heroine whose bawdy, laceratingly funny narration makes her instantly endearing while also revealing her flaws, uncertainties, and ethical quandaries.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“… a romance filled with seriously funny dark humor and tragedy.” — Kirkus Reviews
“It’s rare that a book can be as funny and absolutely delightful as it is moving and thought provoking, and Anatomy of a Misfit is both.” — Lauren Oliver, author of Before I Fall
“Anika’s observations are razor-sharp, especially when she is describing other people… An introductory note says the story is based on the author’s ninth-grade experience. What a year.” — The Horn Book
“Anika’s droll voice shines, and her emotions are palpable. After a heartbreaking tragedy, Anika’s ending . . . will leave readers cheering.” — School Library Journal
“Fifteen-year-old Anika Dragomir throws her arms around us and draws us in from the very beginning… Droll, intimate, often laugh-out-loud funny narration carries the reader through more than 300 pages... Anika’s winning voice may just be the star of Portes’s first young adult novel.” — New York Times Book Review
“Anika Dragomir is the funniest, snarkiest, most insightful misfit a reader could ever hope to meet. I laughed my way through Anatomy of a Misfit right up until the very end, when the book broke my heart into a million pieces. This is a beautiful, brave and powerful novel.” — Melissa Kantor, author of Maybe One Day and The Breakup Bible
The Horn Book
Anika’s observations are razor-sharp, especially when she is describing other people… An introductory note says the story is based on the author’s ninth-grade experience. What a year.
Horn Book Magazine
Remy’s terrible choices throughout (including seducing a teacher) and her descent into drug abuse feel organic rather than histrionic, while Willa’s emergence from the dark is hard-fought and believable.
Booklist
[Willa’s] idiosyncratic, often mean, sometimes vulnerable voice is the highlight of this contemporary problem novel... Willa’s realization that some loving relationships are also toxic, and the slow fracturing of Willa and Remy’s friendship are believably painful.
Lauren Oliver
It’s rare that a book can be as funny and absolutely delightful as it is moving and thought provoking, and Anatomy of a Misfit is both.
Melissa Kantor
Anika Dragomir is the funniest, snarkiest, most insightful misfit a reader could ever hope to meet. I laughed my way through Anatomy of a Misfit right up until the very end, when the book broke my heart into a million pieces. This is a beautiful, brave and powerful novel.
New York Times Book Review
Fifteen-year-old Anika Dragomir throws her arms around us and draws us in from the very beginning… Droll, intimate, often laugh-out-loud funny narration carries the reader through more than 300 pages... Anika’s winning voice may just be the star of Portes’s first young adult novel.
Booklist
[Willa’s] idiosyncratic, often mean, sometimes vulnerable voice is the highlight of this contemporary problem novel... Willa’s realization that some loving relationships are also toxic, and the slow fracturing of Willa and Remy’s friendship are believably painful.
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2016-03-02
See the girl on the train, the white one "with the frizzy red hair and funny mouth"? That's 16-year-old Willa Parker. Willa has a simple two-point plan: move to the East Coast…and kill herself. Willa leaves her hometown of What Cheer, Iowa (you heard that right), to attend The Pembroke School and (presumably) go on to Princeton, because her wealthy economist mother (who divorced Willa's father and left them with nothing) says she "should." Willa's plan is derailed when she meets the ultraprivileged, uber-hip Remy Taft (yes, related to the president), the oddly friendless queen of Pembroke. The girls develop a close friendship, complete with witty-cute banter, a late-night joy ride on a stolen golf cart, and frequent Ecstasy trips. As Remy pushes Willa out of her comfort zone, Willa forgets her suicide plan, but it soon becomes apparent self-absorbed Remy has several secrets of her own. As Willa tries to save her best friend from destroying herself, she's also figuring out whether or not she's neighboring Witherspoon Prep hottie Milo Hesse's girlfriend. Surrounded by wealth, Willa often questions the unfairness of privilege; her scholarship status and Midwest origins often make her feel inferior and out of place. Her first-person narration is self-deprecating, deeply thoughtful, and thoroughly funny, with a sometimes-chiding direct address that pulls readers into her confidence. Snarky and painfully astute. But in a good way. (Fiction. 15-18)
