Perfect for fans of Tim Federle and Gary Schmidt, this is a hilarious and poignant tale about the trials of middle school when you’re coming of age—and coming out.
Alan Cole can’t stand up to his cruel brother, Nathan. He can’t escape the wrath of his demanding father, who thinks he’s about as exceptional as a goldfish. And—scariest of all—he can’t let the cute boy across the cafeteria know he has a crush on him.
But when Nathan discovers Alan’s secret, his older brother announces a high-stakes round of Cole vs. Cole. Each brother must complete seven nearly impossible tasks; whoever finishes the most wins the game. If Alan doesn’t want to be outed to all of Evergreen Middle School, he’s got to become the most well-known kid in school, get his first kiss, and stand up to Dad. Alan’s determined to prove—to Nathan, to the world, to himself—that this goldfish can learn to swim.
May the best Cole win.
- Sibling Rivalry: Alan’s brother Nathan has a cruel new game in mind, and the stakes are higher than ever. It’s Cole vs. Cole, and losing means everyone learns Alan’s biggest secret.
- A Secret First Crush: Alan can barely look at the cute boy in the cafeteria, let alone talk to him. But when his secret is on the line, getting his first kiss becomes one of the impossible tasks he has to face.
- Unlikely Friendship: With a quirky new friend who talks to snakes and another who thinks he’s a life coach, Alan might just have the backup he needs to survive seventh grade.
- Finding Your Courage: From his demanding dad who calls him a “goldfish” to the bullies at school, Alan has to learn that being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t scared.
