The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak

by Brian Katcher

Overview

Perfect for fans of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak is Stonewall Award–winning author Brian Katcher's hilarious he said/she said romance about two teens discovering themselves on an out-of-this-world accidental first date at a sci-fi convention.

When Ana Watson's brother ditches a high school trip to run wild at Washingcon, type-A Ana knows that she must find him or risk her last shot at freedom from her extra-controlling parents.

In her desperation, she's forced to enlist the last person she'd ever want to spend time with—slacker Zak Duquette—to help find her brother before morning comes.

But over the course of the night, while being chased by hordes of costumed Vikings and zombies, Ana and Zak begin to open up to each other. Soon, what starts as the most insane nerdfighter manhunt transforms into so much more. . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062272782
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/27/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Brian Katcher is the author of the Stonewall Book Award-winning novel Almost Perfect, Playing with Matches, and Everyone Dies in the End. He lives in central Missouri with his wife, Sandra, and his daughter, Sophie. When he's not writing, he's working as a school librarian and a member of the Forever Young Adult blogging group.

Editorial Reviews

With perfect comic timing and outrageous twists, The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak will have you cheering for the underdog.” — Robin Constantine, author of The Promise of Amazing

“A love letter to fanboys and fangirls everywhere. On the surface, the story is a lighthearted and entertaining romance, but serious undertones explore the fractured side of parent-child relationships and misfit characters desperate to find a tribe. A delightful romp for anyone still figuring out where they belong.” — Publishers Weekly

“This well-paced novel is an excellent combination of self-discovery and adventure. Give this to fans of Eleanor and Park or Nick and Norah.” — Booklist

“There is something very sweet and nerdy about the entire premise of the story, where the upside-down rules of cosplay and gaming conventions like Washingcon allow the outsiders to be heroes.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“Fans of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist will find con-tentment here.” — Kirkus

“A zany romantic comedy for pop culture geeks and ‘Con’ enthusiasts.” — School Library Journal

“A nerd-friendly adventure story with a gooey, sweet romance center.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

From the Publisher

This well-paced novel is an excellent combination of self-discovery and adventure. Give this to fans of Eleanor and Park or Nick and Norah.

Booklist

This well-paced novel is an excellent combination of self-discovery and adventure. Give this to fans of Eleanor and Park or Nick and Norah.

Booklist

There is something very sweet and nerdy about the entire premise of the story, where the upside-down rules of cosplay and gaming conventions like Washingcon allow the outsiders to be heroes.

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

A nerd-friendly adventure story with a gooey, sweet romance center.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

With perfect comic timing and outrageous twists, The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak will have you cheering for the underdog.

Robin Constantine

A nerd-friendly adventure story with a gooey, sweet romance center.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

2015-02-23
Two teens discover that their improbable chemistry is just what it takes for a probable relationship. Still adjusting to a new stepdad, slacker Zak has anxiously been awaiting Washingcon, a science-fiction, fantasy, and comic-book convention in Seattle. But when his health teacher (and quiz-bowl sponsor) notices that he plagiarized his health paper, she offers him two options: fail health and not graduate or serve as an alternate on the quiz-bowl team for their big tournament. Who really fails health? So he begrudgingly chooses the latter, even though it conflicts with his con. Hyperfocused Ana, who must be perfect to show her parents she's not like her older sister, who dropped out of high school to have a baby, has her doubts about Zak. After Ana's younger brother and fellow quiz-bowl teammate, Clayton, sneaks out to attend Washingcon, Zak and Ana begin a humorously whirlwind night searching for him. Their alternating viewpoints narrate how they dodge and outwit parents, felons, and outlandish con characters. While Clayton constantly eludes them, Zak and Ana do find a connection through mutual loss, courage to stand up for themselves, and first love. The con provides fertile ground for humor, including but not limited to a "mixed" marriage ceremony of a Star Wars and a Star Trek enthusiast. Fans of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist will find con-tentment here. (Fiction. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews