Not My Fault

by S.B. Frasca

Overview

"Not My Fault" is popping up everywhere: at home, in the park, even at school. At first, it's a secret way for Hy to deal with being bullied, but the protest art becomes addictive and morphs into a massive, creative project in defense of other social injustices. Hy's own social circle is more like an adult-sized square with Mr. Sanchez, Mom, Mr. Fadikar, and Gram at the corners while Hy stands alone in the middle. But a chance encounter in the park with an exotic eleventh-grader named Belinda is about to change the shape of everything. Buzzing with newfound confidence at school, Hy is again targeted by Jordan- this time with an outcome nobody would believe. When Belinda gets pregnant, Hy has to navigate more uncharted territory and add to some already messy feelings of lust, loss, and friendship. So this former tenth-grade loser is about to soar into the art world with spray cans blazing… right? Maybe, but getting kicked out of school wasn't part of the plan. Fortunately, Hy gets some help from an unlikely source: a dad who, until now, has never been in the picture thanks to Mom's big secret. "Not My Fault" is for anyone- from current teenager to one still at heart- who's ever felt lonely, other, unsure, or simply undiscovered. Readers will relate to, root for, and ultimately cheer for Hy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781667896786
Publisher:	BookBaby
Publication date:	05/01/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

As a multi-platinum, award-winning songwriter, the most rewarding part of Sabelle's career has been commiserating with young hearts to shape raw, relatable emotions into words that can be sung at the top of your lungs. Sabelle's songs appear on a multitude of albums, compilations, and Film & TV soundtracks; and she's won ASCAP/BMI, Dove, Songwriter Hall of Fame, and Parents' Choice awards. Raised by visual artists, it was understood that art in any form makes life worth living. Her first novel, not my fault, is a Hy-five to that! Sabelle now lives in her own head alongside her husband, two tolerant teenagers, and two really needy Labradors. She doesn't want any part of the 'mom jeans' thing. Readers can learn more at www.sbfrasca.com.

Editorial Reviews

06/26/2023

Multi-platinum songwriter, recording artist, and producer Frasca brings readers into the life of a young creative with Not My Fault, her electric and rousing literary debut. Through the voice of Hy, an aspiring young painter and graffiti artist, Frasca invites readers into a drama of the creative process, following a small, impassioned idea—Hy’s “Not My Fault” tags and pieces, a raw artistic declaration of self—bloom into a major project and exhibition, all powered by urgent concerns over social injustice. Each day Hy uses the Not My Fault project to discuss just how easy it is to be criticized for personal choices and inevitabilities, by bullying peers and indifferent adults. Hy explores death, parenthood, lust, sexual orientation, friendship, and self-worth with art and journal entries, while at last making vital connections with others.

The narration, like Hy, is proudly unorthodox, tinged with poetry, sometimes a bit passive, and at others somewhat jumpy. But it’s powerful, especially as Hy’s journaling turns to planning increasingly elaborate artistic efforts. Hy draws on encounters with family, bullies, and friends to find exciting new forms for the words “Not My Fault.” Each piece reflects very personal relationships with each character, like the one written across the bandshell near Mr. Fadikar’s convenience store, where Hy writes the words in Hindi. Alongside exploration into injustices, Hy also deals with more personal concerns, asking “What am I” over “Who am I” as a relationship with a bully takes an unexpected turn, all as a new friend inspires new feelings of self-worth. Readers will watch Hy’s project –and self-esteem–grow across bedroom walls, library tables, and public spaces.

“I’ve got an I’m worth something forcefield around me now,” Hy declares. “Until I don’t.” Throughout, in frank and wise lines like that, Frasca powerfully evokes the breakthroughs and setbacks of creating a self and finding a voice and community, and also the process of artists, which is likely to inspire young readers in their own creative pursuits.

Takeaway: Urgent, touching YA novel about finding one’s voice through art.

Comparable Titles: Jennifer Mathieu’s Moxie, Rachhpal Sahota’s Chasing Dignity.

Production grades Cover: B Design and typography: A Illustrations: N/A Editing: A- Marketing copy: A

BookLife Reviews