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“[Q]uite adorable…Collaborators Kelly and Mbalia match each other word for word with moments that are both laugh-out-loud and tender…Completely charming and pithy, with laughs galore, this romance should be in all middle school and high school collections.”

– School Library Journal, Starred Review

On Again, Awkward Again

Written by Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia
Published by Harry N. Abrams

When Pacy Mercado and Cecil Holloway spot each other during the first week of freshman year, it’s love at first sight. Well, more like love at first fleeting, injury-riddled glance, since the moment is ruined thanks to clumsiness and a criminal case of IBS.

Despite their total lack of game, Pacy and Cecil are drawn to each other. Seven seconds of eye contact turns into days of yearning and stress as they make the mistake of following misguided advice from their friends, dysfunctional families, and strangers on the internet.

But the universe conspires to bring Pacy and Cecil together when they both end up on the WADS committee to plan the freshman dance (that’s Wakeville’s Awesome Décor Society, if you must know).

As they spend more time together, they realize that the other person might be just what they need . . . that is, if they can figure out how to be themselves and embrace the mishaps, mistakes, and hilariously awkward interactions that make up their imperfectly perfect love story.

Primary ISBN: 9781419775635
Publication Date: April 2025
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Young Adult, Age 13 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (North Carolina)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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Source: Harry N. Abrams